Healthy Minds

Healthy Coping Strategies

This lesson explores the range of ways people respond to difficult situations, thoughts, and feelings — distinguishing healthy from unhealthy coping mechanisms. Through the Healthy Coping Toolbox activity, paired case studies featuring three young people (Andi, Goldin, and Zane), and a personalised "Ideas to Try" worksheet, students build a practical toolkit of strategies to manage their own mental health and support others. The lesson reinforces that coping strategies are personal and that what works for one person may not work for another.

Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1:

Understand that everyone must manage difficult situations, thoughts, and feelings sometimes

Outcome 2:

Describe healthy and unhealthy coping responses

Outcome 3:

Describe a range of difficult situations, thoughts, and feelings and suggest specific healthy coping strategies that might help manage each

Outcome 4:

Explain a range of simple coping strategies and how these might help someone manage difficult situations, thoughts, and feelings

Outcome 5:

Know how and where to access further support if needed

What's included

A quick look at the classroom-ready resources that come with this lesson.

Purchase to unlock
Healthy Minds Teacher Guide — Case Studies pages 112–116
Visible after purchase
Resilience Competencies page 8
Visible after purchase
Student Handbook — Healthy Coping Toolbox page 31
Visible after purchase
Healthy Coping Strategies pages 32–35
Visible after purchase
Ideas to Try pages 36–37
Visible after purchase

About Bounce Forward

Bounce Forward provides evidenced, practical educational resources that help young people build mental resilience, emotional wellbeing, and a growth mindset.

Visit website