Grade 5-8 Mental Health Education Resources

An Introduction to Mental Health: This video explains the basics of mental health and support networks you can connect with if you don't feel yourself. Learn more about mental health in this video.

You are not your thoughts: Paying attention to your thoughts and sorting through them takes practice and patience. This video explains some of the things you can try when you feel overwhelmed by your thoughts.

We All Have Mental Health: Everything isn't always what it seems. You and your friends, your teachers, and family members all have mental health. Learn about mental health and how we can look after our mental health in this video.

Teen yoga class for beginners: With breathing and stretching and strength at its core, yoga can help you relax and feel connected. You could even feel more relaxed by the end! Watch and participate in this 15 minute yoga class for teens.

Stressin' Out! (Spot on Science): Stressing out over an upcoming test or a big game at school? Dr. Lisa Rameriz explains how stress can actually be a good thing and what to do when it turns toxic. Learn more about stress and how to manage it.

Addicted to electronics? (Spot on Science): Have you ever looked up from your screen and been surprised by how much time you just spent playing a game online or looking through social media? Electronic addiction is when you can't seem to get away. Watch a psychologist talk about the problems that can come with too much screen time.

"The Happy Brain Chemicals that Make You Feel Good:" It's common to think that happiness is a destination you find through material items or relationships. But happiness is a journey you create. Learn more about how happiness works in this article.

Ways to stress less: There are plenty of reasons why we get stressed - deadlines, new situations, having too much homework. There are also plenty of ways to cope. Here are some techniques to stress less.

Sadness and depression: Everyone feels sad at times and that's okay! But sometimes sadness lasts a long time and can feel overwhelming. It can even affect what you want to do or how you feel about yourself. Learn more about sadness and depression in this article.

"How to Stop Negative Thoughts:" Negative thoughts can make us feel agitated or anxious, and cause harm. There's a simple way to overcome negative thinking by challenging and reframing the thoughts in a positive way. Learn how to overcome negative thoughts in this article.

Get moving: The simple act of movement - the flow of oxygen and positive hormones - can boost your mood, reduce stress, and more. Find out how this works and try to engage in a form of movement that energizes you.

Express yourself: There are many health benefits (physical and emotional) of music and art therapy and other types of creative expression. This website gives you some tips, tricks, and activities to express yourself. Find more here.

Embrace optimism: With a positive mindset, we can increase our resiliency in difficult situations. Learn more about optimism in this video.

Create a calm space: Creating a place that's all yours - either at home or at school - can help you stay grounded and feel safe. Here are instructions to create your own calm space.

Create mindful stones: Creativity and mindfulness intertwine with this activity. Find some smooth rocks, decorate and help yourself and others keep a positive perspective. Here are some video instructions.

Journal - Reaction Roadmaps: What you say or do when you face a problem is called a reaction. Once in a while, we have big reactions to challenges, but if you have big reactions more than you like, this journal may help. Learn more about big reactions and work through your feelings.

Go on a mindful nature hunt: Sometimes it can feel good to step back and take a look around you. A mindfulness nature hunt gives you time to collect and reflect. Here are some things to look for.

Make a sensory bottle: Do you ever need a minute to disconnect or step away? If you have an old bottle, some water, glitter (or other fun floating objects) and some extra time, you can make a sensory bottle. The next time you need to just zone out, you can grab your bottle and give it a shake. Find instructions here.

Create a wellness board: Have you ever made a vision board? If you collect photos, text, and more, you can make your own wellness-based version of a vision board. Include positive affirmations, quotes, colors and pictures you love, and more! Find instructions here.

Make a soothing bracelet: At times we can feel a bit worried, or like no matter what we try we can't focus on one thing at a time. If you're feeling anxious or are having trouble focusing, you can make a soothing bracelet with some beads and string (plus more items if you have them handy) to help you stay present. Find instructions here.

Keep a gratitude calendar: Do you need a reminder to be grateful? This gratitude calendar gives you a quick, daily idea to practice gratitude and spread the feeling. Print or save your own gratitude calendar.

Track your mood: Being aware of our mood and emotions is a powerful skill. Mood tracking is an easy way to take note of your feelings and reflect throughout the day. Fill out this mood tracker to connect to your emotions.

Make kindness cards: Spread some happiness, hope and compassion with kindness cards. Try placing them around your school, at the bus stop, or even your own home. Print these cards and decorate them yourself.

Galaxy Breathing Game: Breathing is almost like magic. You can use breath to understand emotions, control anxious feelings, and connect to the world around you. Learn the power in breathing from magical individuals across the galaxy.

"The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life" by Kwame Alexander: This book is full of poetry and inspiring lessons about the rules of life. You have to know the rules to play the game, right? Find the book.

"The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller: When Natalie’s science teacher suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, she thinks it could be the perfect solution to all of her problems. But she can’t do it alone. Her friends step up to show her that talking about problems is like taking a plant out of a dark cupboard and exposing it to the sun. With their help, Natalie begins an unforgettable journey to discover the science of hope, love, and miracles. Find the book.

"The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting" by Holly Bourne: Bree is by no means popular. Most of the time, she hates her life, her school, her never-there-parents. So she writes. But when Bree is told she needs to stop shutting the world out and start living a life worth writing about, The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting is born. A manifesto that will change everything...but the question is, at what cost? Find the book.

"The Seventh Most Important Thing" by Shelley Pearsall: This novel is about discovering what shines within us all, even when life seems full of darkness. Would you rummage through people's trash to create something beautiful? Find the book.

"Lily and Dunkin" by Donna Gephart: When a pair of introverted outsiders meet, their lives are about to change forever. For Lily, being herself is a battle she fears she is losing. For Dunkin, the new kid, he's barely staying afloat. Lily and Dunkin just want to be themselves - and when they find each other, they may just get the chance. Find the book.

Breathr: This app was developed with young people. It provides opportunities to try a variety of mindfulness practices, from guided meditations to simple practices that can be used anywhere. It also teaches interesting facts about the brain science behind those practices. [Free] More info.

Headspace: Guided meditations, calm-down exercises, and sleep stories - Headspace has a variety of mindfulness practices to help you stay in tune with your mental health. [Free to start with in-app purchases] More info.