What Is it All About?
Students build safe and thoughtful solutions around the issues and concerns that affect them emotionally.
Why Do It?
Students use the "STOP!" acronym to build safe and thoughtful solutions around the issues and concerns that affect them emotionally.
How Do We Do It?
Students brainstorm a list of worries that students their age might have.
Working in small groups of 2–3, students select one issue to think of solutions for.
Student leaders present the STOP! acronym:
- S: Stop and review — What is the issue? Name it.
- T: Think — How do I feel? What are some possible solutions?
- O: Options — Choose the best option to stay safe. Choose to take good care of myself.
- P: People and places — Who can help me? Where can I find assistance?
- ! — Be excited that you are a solution builder!
Have students review their solutions and, using STOP!, determine how they might address the issue similarly or differently the next time certain emotions come up.
What Else Do We Need?
- Paper
- Writing utensils
How Do We Get Creative?
Have students create scenarios and share them with other groups to respond to.
Display scenarios and responses anonymously on a bulletin board to share them with other students.
Adapted from: Alberta Education. Mental Health Matters. Retrieved from https://education.alberta.ca/mental-health/information-and-resources/everyone/mental-health-supports/