Thriving Futures consists of a number of units. The Core Unit: Developing Self Esteem and Coping with Stress, introduces some key ideas about negative thinking, and how to change this to improve our self esteem and cope better with stress.  These ideas are referred to in the other units and therefore, must be completed before the other satellite units. 

The Preparing to Teach Mental Health Unit, introduces mental health to students and sets out ground rules for discussions in class. In addition, sources of extra support are listed, therefore, this should be examined before teaching the core unit.  I have set this appart from the core unit, as the ground rules apply to all units, and therefore it is easier to re-highlight them when returning to teach other topics.

The satellite unit, Staying in Control, Dealing with Anger' is now ready for download, however the rest are still under development; I aim to have these available as soon as possible. They will all link in with the idea of negative thinking, low self esteem and the effect this will have on the topic of the unit. 

It should be stressed that the materials produced here are the result of my teaching experience rather than indepth medical knowledge.  The content within these materials already exists on the internet, but not, in my experience, in a format that is easily accessible to teachers already spinning many plates.  It is my intention to introduce the language of mental health to students, and present an overview of what can cause poor mental health, so that other more specialised services are easier accessed.

Scroll down  or click on link in the tabs to examine the units in more detail.  Click on links to download.

This is one, one hour lesson that:

1.  Introduces the topic of mental health

2.  Sets out the guidelines/ classroom rules for taking about mental health, as suggested in the PSHE Association, funded by the Department of education

3.  Informs pupils where they can go to find support for if they are experiencing mental health problems.

I have set this apart from the core unit, so that it is easier to refer back to. 

Download Preparing to Teach Mental Health here

When the file comes up, click on 'file' in the left hand corner

Click on download

Download in whatever format is best for you.

 By downloading you are agreeing not to reproduce my materials for profit. 

Please note - there may be some minor formatting issues as a result of the up and downloading process; to correct this would require me to pay for a better downloading tool.  I am determined to keep this as a free resource, therefore, if you find this an issue, get in touch by email, and I can email you a copy 

Updated version now available

This Unit must be taught before any other unit as develops understanding of why we develop low self esteem, what we can do to improve it, how this links to coping with stress as well as introducing coping strategies for managing in difficult situations.  All these techniques will be refered back to in the other units, so it is vital they are covered first.

The unit contains 5 lessons:

Lesson One:  Developing Self Confidence and Self Esteem

 This lesson examines the importance of self esteem and where we develop it, before introducing the thought spiral to explain how it effects our behaviour.

Lesson Two: Changing Your Thinking

 This lesson uses  the thought spiral to examine negative thinking patterns.

Lesson Three: The psychology of Stress

This lesson examines how and why stress effects us before looking at how changing our thinking patterns can mean we cope better with the inevitable stress we will encounter.

Lesson Four: Planning a better future

This lesson examines ways in which we can plan to make changes that can improve our future.

Lesson five:  Coping with life

 This lesson sums up the skills examined in the unit and looks at different coping strategies for dealing with stress.

Download Core Unit Here

When the file comes up, click on 'file' in the left hand corner

Click on download

Download in whatever format is best for you.

 By downloading you are agreeing not to reproduce my materials for profit. 

Please note - there may be some minor formatting issues as a result of the up and downloading process; to correct this would require me to pay for a better downloading tool.  I am determined to keep this as a free resource, therefore, if you find this an issue, get in touch by email, and I can email you a copy.

The home booklet contains the main ideas/images from the unit. It details healthy coping strategies and places pupils can get extra help.

Download Core Unit Home Booklet Here

1. Click on the link 

2. When the file comes up, go to 'file' in the left hand corner.

3. Click Download as - Powerpoint

NB: My resources are free; by downloading you are agreeing not to reproduce my materials for profit.

Please note - a little of the formatting may be put out by the up and downloading process, apologies for this, but it is easily corrected. To get a better downloading tool requires money, and I want to ensure these resources remain free to access. Please email me if you find this a big problem.

This unit uses cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques to help students understand and manage their emotions.

Lesson One:  Developing Self Confidence and Self Esteem

This introductory lesson, examines the causes of anger, how we respond to it and the effects it can have.

Lesson Two: Changing the way we respond to anger triggers 

This lesson examines how anger makes us think, feel and behave, and how we can begin to change this by recognising SAD MAP thinking.

Lesson Three: Understanding the purpose of anger 

This lesson addresses the purpose of anger and how to deal with it in a more positive way.  It also touches on self harm. In line with government advice, don’t go into detail but do emphasise sources of help.

Lesson Four: Keeping anger under control 

This lesson aims to consolidate understanding of previous lessons, and gives the chance to practice use some of the techniques established.

 Click here to download 'Staying in Control'

1. Click on the link 

2. When the file comes up, go to 'file' in the left hand corner.

3. Click Download as - Powerpoint

NB: My resources are free; by downloading you are agreeing not to reproduce my materials for profit.

Please note - a little of the formatting may be put out by the up and downloading process, apologies for this, but it is easily corrected. To get a better downloading tool requires money, and I want to ensure these resources remain free to access. Please email me if you find this a big problem.

This unit examines how social media can effect our mental health.  It is a mixture of information and  a recap of CBT techniques linked specifically to the demands of social media.  It aims to build resilience against possible harm and an understanding of what can be done to reduce negeative experiences. 

Lesson One: The Problem with Social Media

 This introductory lesson examines the advantages and disadvantages of social media before looking at the effect it can have on our mental health, and what we can do about it.

Lesson Two: Anti-social Media

 This lesson examines the dangers of social media including meeting up and sexting.  It sets out to question why people do this by recapping some of the key ideas from the core unit.

Lesson Three:  A Perfect World

 This lesson examines the illusion of perfection and uses the #statusofmind report to investigate the advantages/ disadvantages of  specific social media sites.

Lesson Four: Be Kind

 This lesson looks at the effects of cyber bullying by using the This Morning ‘Be Kind Campaign’. It examines police advice for people receiving online abuse, and what to do if you have been part of online bullying.  

Click to Download Managing Social Media

 1. Click on the link 

2. When the file comes up, go to 'file' in the left hand corner.

3. Click Download as - Powerpoint

NB: My resources are free; by downloading you are agreeing not to reproduce my materials for profit.

Please note - a little of the formatting may be put out by the up and downloading process, apologies for this, but it is easily corrected. To get a better downloading tool requires money, and I want to ensure these resources remain free to access. Please email me if you find this a big problem.

Lesson One:  Building Positive Relationships

This lesson examines how we all experience the same emotions, how the teenage brain is more emotional than the adult brain, and how this can impact on friendships.

Lesson Two: The Importance of Friendship

This lesson examines the importance of developing healthy friendships and how to recognise when friendships are toxic. 

Lesson Three: Let’s Talk About Sex and Consent

This lesson will exam issues surrounding sex, self esteem and consent.

Lesson Four: Staying Safe in Relationships

This lesson looks at what abuse within a relationship is, why it happens and what can be done to prevent it.

Click here to download Building Better Relationships

 1. Click on the link 

2. When the file comes up, go to 'file' in the left hand corner.

3. Click Download as - Powerpoint

NB: My resources are free; by downloading you are agreeing not to reproduce my materials for profit.

Please note - a little of the formatting may be put out by the up and downloading process, apologies for this, but it is easily corrected. To get a better downloading tool requires money, and I want to ensure these resources remain free to access. Please email me if you find this a big problem.