Unit 2: Aspects of Personal Development

Module 5: Coping with Stress in Middle and Late Adolescence

Activity 1: WHAT CAUSES YOU TO “LOSE YOUR COOL”?

We all have certain things, situations, or people that cause us to lose our composure from time to time.
Determine what causes YOU to “lose your cool” by completing this activity. When you begin to identify your
stressors, you can become skilled at preventing negative consequences. Place an X next to each factor that causes
you stress. There are blank spaces provided so you can add your own.

Being late Taking test Physical education class Disrespectful children A friend betrays you
Too much homework Video games Math class Losing someone
Speaking in public Using a computer English class Baby crying
Babysitting Restrictions at home Boredom Closed-in spaces
Going to the doctor Chores Rude people Getting an injection
Arguments with friends Lack of sleep No money Loud people
Parents fighting Arguments with parents Interruptions while busy Losing in a game
Getting detention Pimples Playing on a sports team Fight with bf/gf

Activity 2: STRESS SIGNALS

Take a look at the warning signs of stress listed below. Check ( ) EACH of the warning signs that apply to
you. When you are finished checking your warning signs, discuss your list with someone you can trust. Are there
any similarities? How much stress do you think you are currently under? Discuss ways that you can eliminate some
of the stress that could start to cause you physical or emotional or behavioral difficulties.

PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL BEHAVIORAL

Headaches Overeating Mood changes Smoking
Stomach aches Loss of appetite Lack of concentration Nail biting
Dizziness Inability to sleep Nightmares Tapping
Back pain Skin problems Panic attacks Pulling hair
Neck stiffness Constant fatigue Anxiety Grinding hair
Ulcer sores on mouth Cold hands or feet Anger Use of alcohol
Jaw pains Excessive sweating Irritability Use of medication
Weight loss Chest pains Crying Compulsive dieting
Weight gain High blood pressure Thoughts of suicide Hair chewing
Twitches(eyelids, face) Rapid or difficult breathing Depression Nervous laughter
Weakness Excessive sleeping Confusion Pacing
Nausea Indigestion Feeling of helplessness Lateness
Restlessness Putting things off
Racing thoughts Compulsive eating
Aggressiveness Not caring about physical
appearance

Portfolio Output:

My Stress Signals

1. How do you know that you are stressed?

2. What stress signals do you have that your partner does not have?

3. How much stress do you think you are currently under?

4. How are your stress signals different for different types of stressors?

5. What are some ways that you usually remove or reduce the stress that causes you physical,
emotional or behavioral difficulties?
 DATE: ____________________
Unit 2: Aspects of Personal Development
Module 6: The Powers of the Mind

Name: _____________________________________________________ Signature: ________________________________

Parent’s Name: _______________________________________________ Signature: ________________________________
Activity 1: LATERAL THINKING PUZZLES

1. You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you
see three people waiting for the bus:
a. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die
b. An old friend who once saved your life
c. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about
Knowing that there can only be one passenger in your car, whom would you choose?

2. Acting on an anonymous phone call, the police raid a house to arrest a suspected murderer. They don't
know what he looks like but they know his name is John and that he is inside the house. The police bust in
on a carpenter, a lorry driver, a mechanic and a fireman all playing poker. Without hesitation or
communication of any kind, they immediately arrest the fireman. How do they know they've got their man?

3. A man lives in the penthouse of an apartment building. Every morning he takes the elevator down to
the lobby and leaves the building. Upon his return, however, he can only travel halfway up in the lift and has
to walk the rest of the way - unless it's raining. What is the explanation for this?

4. A father and his son are in a car crash. The father is killed and the child is taken to hospital gravely
injured. When he gets there, the surgeon says, 'I can't operate on this boy - for he is my son!!!' How can this
possibly be?

5. There are six eggs in the basket. Six people each take one of the eggs. How can it be that one egg is left
in the basket?

6. How could a baby fall out of a twenty-story building onto the ground and live?

Activity 2: BRAIN DOMINANCE

Which of these apply to you?

___ I am very organized. ___ I work best in a quiet space

___ I remember faces more than names. ___ I daydream a lot.
___ I think things through before making a decision. ___ I hate taking risks.
___ If someone’s mad at me, I can tell even without ___ I hate taking risks.
the person saying a word. ___ I tend to get emotional.
. ___ I make a to-do-list.
___ I trust my “gut instinct”.

Portfolio Output:

Mind Mapping

1. Choose a subject or activity that you do well (for example, math, basketball, playing the guitar,
painting, cooking, or computer games).
2. Make a mind map of the chosen topic, following the procedure described earlier.
3. Explain your mind map and how you worked on it.
 DATE: __________________
Unit 2: Aspects of Personal Development
Module 7: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN MIDDLE AND LATE ADOLESCENCE
Name: _________________________________________________ Signature: ____________________________
Parent’s Name: ___________________________________________ Signature: ____________________________

Activity 1: SIGNS OF TROUBLE: DEPRESSION

What’s the difference between just having a bad day and something potentially more serious? Put a check
mark under the Column Yes or No for each of the items below:
Test Your Mood Yes No
Do you feel sad, depressed or down most of the time?
Are you unable to enjoy the things that once gave you pleasure?
Do you feel tired and/or lack energy most of the time?
Do you have trouble sleeping or do you sleep too much?
Do you find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions?
Have you had an increase or decrease in appetite or weight?
Have you had feelings of worthlessness or guilt?
Have you felt frightened or panicky for no apparent reason at all?
Have you felt restless and found it difficult to sit still?
Have you been feeling anxious or worried?
Have you felt like you just cannot go on or had thoughts of death or dying?

Activity 2: SUICIDE PREVENTION

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24. At least 90% of those who die by suicide
have a mental illness. If a friend mentions thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you NEED to tell an adult. This may
be a parent, teacher or a guidance counselor. It’s better to have a friend who is angry with you than to keep
their secret and live with knowing you could have helped, but remained silent when your friend was in trouble.
Here’s a scenario: “Your friend isn’t acting like his old self. He seems really down, and has been doing strange
things like giving his favorite things away. He recently told you that he thought the people he knew would be
better off without him around and that he’s thought of killing himself. After he tells you, he asks you not to tell
anyone else about what he has said.”

1. Do you think he has a mental health problem?

2. Is he in trouble?

3. What should you do?

Portfolio Output:

Mind Mapping

Dear abby,
I fell asleep in class today – once again! When I go to bed at night, I just can’t seem to fall asleep. I lie in bed for hours
and it doesn’t seem to make a difference. When I wake up in the morning, I feel like I don’t want to get up and go to
school. This is the time that I could really sleep. I wish that school didn’t start until 10:00 a.m. Please help me out! Give
me some ideas on how I could get a better sleep, so Mr. Gomez doesn’t get upset that I fall asleep in his class.
Tired at School.

Portfolio Output No. 14: Response to “Tired at School”

Pretend that you are Abby. Write an answer to the letter writer “Tired at School”.
 Unit 2: Aspects of Personal Development
Module 7: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN MIDDLE AND LATE ADOLESCENCE
Group Number and Name Date & Time:
Name Signature:
Leader:
Members:

Activity 1: MEDIA MOTIVES

The activity in this lesson is intended to make students dig deeply at media advertisements so they are more critical of what they are seeing and less apt to internalize the
messages. Advertisers have developed a multi-billion dollar industry to convince consumers that we need to buy their products. In this lesson, we are going to examine the
advertising methods that are used. Body image can be a sensitive topic to many individuals, so it is important that others be respectful to emotions and feelings that may arise.
1. What type of product or service is featured in your ad?
2. What approach has the advertiser used to promote or sell this product or service? Here are some of the methods that advertisers use to attract consumer:
Sex Appeal
Join the Bandwagon: Everyone is getting one!
Highest Quality Available
Financial Plans/Installment Incentives
Negative Advertising
Home style or Traditional
We Try Harder
Best Value
New & Improved
Name Brands & Logos
Health & Safety
3. What message does this ad give the consumer?
4. How would you define or describe this approach to advertising?
5. Do you think that this approach is effective advertising for the product? Why or why not?
6. In what ways, if any, could any part of this advertisement impact a person’s body image?

Unit 2: Aspects of Personal Development

Module 7: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN MIDDLE AND LATE ADOLESCENCE
Group Number and Name Date & Time:
Name: Signature:
Leader:
Members:

Activity 1: MEDIA MOTIVES

The activity in this lesson is intended to make students dig deeply at media advertisements so they are more critical of what they are seeing and less apt to internalize the
messages. Advertisers have developed a multi-billion dollar industry to convince consumers that we need to buy their products. In this lesson, we are going to examine the
advertising methods that are used. Body image can be a sensitive topic to many individuals, so it is important that others be respectful to emotions and feelings that may arise.
1. What type of product or service is featured in your ad?
2. What approach has the advertiser used to promote or sell this product or service? Here are some of the methods that advertisers use to attract consumer:
Sex Appeal
Join the Bandwagon: Everyone is getting one!
Highest Quality Available
Financial Plans/Installment Incentives
Negative Advertising
Home style or Traditional
We Try Harder
Best Value
New & Improved
Name Brands & Logos
Health & Safety
3. What message does this ad give the consumer?
4. How would you define or describe this approach to advertising?
5. Do you think that this approach is effective advertising for the product? Why or why not?
6. In what ways, if any, could any part of this advertisement impact a person’s body image?