Lesson Plan

Lifting the Blue Clouds Plan

Students will learn to recognize signs of depressed mood and develop personal coping strategies through self-reflection and guided discussion. Actionable goals: identify emotional triggers, articulate feelings, and create a 1–2 step action plan to use when feeling low.

This lesson empowers students to understand and manage depressed mood, building emotional awareness and resilience. Personalized, one-on-one support reduces stigma and equips students with practical tools for mental well-being.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Greeting & Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Define & Identify Depressed Mood

5 minutes

Step 3

Reflect on Personal Emotions

5 minutes

Step 4

Introduce Coping Strategies

7 minutes

Step 5

Develop Action Plan

5 minutes

Step 6

Check-for-Understanding & Closing

3 minutes

Step 7

Differentiation & Accommodations

Throughout session

Slide Deck

Lifting the Blue Clouds

Welcome the student and introduce the session. Explain: “Today we’ll explore what depressed mood is and build tools to help you feel better.” Highlight session length and confidential one-on-one space.

Check-In

Use the 1–5 scale to check in. Validate their response: “Thank you for sharing. It’s okay to feel that way.” Encourage brief explanation or drawing.

What Is Depressed Mood?

Show the [Emotion Wheel Handout](#emotion-wheel-handout). Explain the difference between everyday sadness and depressed mood. Invite student to point out words on the wheel.

Reflect on Your Feelings

Hand out the [Reflection Journal Template](#reflection-journal-template). Prompt student with questions and allow drawing or writing.

Coping Strategies

Present the [Coping Strategies Worksheet](#coping-strategies-worksheet). Briefly demonstrate each strategy. Ask student to pick those that feel doable.

Your Action Plan & Closing

Guide the student to fill out their mini action plan. Confirm they can summarize signs of depressed mood and strategies. Praise their effort and reinforce next steps.

Lesson Plan

Lifting the Blue Clouds Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

Step 1

Greeting & Check-In

Step 2

Define & Identify Depressed Mood

Step 3

Reflect on Personal Emotions

Step 4

Introduce Coping Strategies

Step 5

Develop Action Plan

Step 6

Check-for-Understanding & Closing

Step 7

Differentiation & Accommodations

Slide Deck

Lifting the Blue Clouds

Check-In

What Is Depressed Mood?

Reflect on Your Feelings

Coping Strategies

Your Action Plan & Closing

Worksheet

Worksheet

Journal

Lifting the Clouds

Jeremias Mikel Watson