Mental health conversations are important, especially for teenagers. Lutheran High School South, an LCMS school in St. Louis, is fostering these meaningful discussions with Resilient Minds: Christ-Centered Mental Health Curriculum. This curriculum by Concordia Publishing House helps them speak with students about topics such as anxiety, boundaries, and negative thoughts—all in a Christ-focused way.
Jennifer Haines, a school counselor at Lutheran South, says the curriculum has been largely well-received by the students. “I think the kids have really bought in [to the curriculum],” Haines says.
“Because there’s no one in the classroom that hasn’t had a struggle.”
Supporting Mental Health in a Christ-Focused Way
Prior to Resilient Minds, the school used a different type of curriculum in health classes to help students build resiliency coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their previous program was not a mental health or wellness curriculum and did not incorporate Christ. Haines says the previous curriculum “was great, but we had to go into other places to bring our faith into [it].”
In contrast, Resilient Minds not only allows the school to support its students’ mental health, but it also points them to Christ.
“Just like you exercise to keep yourself healthy, you’ve got to exercise your mental health. And because we’re Christians and we have the hope of Jesus, we have to be reminded of that. And that’s what this [curriculum] does.”
The school is using the high school portion of the curriculum in its health classes. Haines teaches the curriculum to the girls’ classes, while Dr. Jon Riethmeier teaches the boys’ classes. Riethmeier, who is also a school counselor, says the curriculum covers almost every mental health and wellness topic that their students are interested in and experience—in a way that’s easy for them to connect to.
About Resilient Minds Curriculum
Resilient Minds is a Christ-centered mental health curriculum that has been developed by experts in the field. The curriculum is available for middle school and high school ages and covers topics such as emotions, relationships, Christian identity, and resiliency. This 12-lesson curriculum guides schools as they help students develop resilient minds and become better prepared for their future.
Curriculum tools consist of student books and teacher guides for various grades. Teacher guides are available in print and come with digital resources, like premade PowerPoint slides to accompany each lesson.
Equipping Students with Tools They Can Use
Besides being Christ-centered, Resilient Minds also offers wellness strategies to students like those at Lutheran South. The curriculum includes a variety of exercises to help students through various mental challenges. Some of these exercises include breathing techniques for relaxation and grounding activities for easing anxiety. Haines says she likes that the curriculum gives students “things they can do, so they don’t feel so helpless.”
Lutheran South has seen that the majority of its students are engaging with the curriculum’s exercises. Haines confirms the students are participating in group activities and staying focused on the task at hand. “They’re not talking about what happened last night or what was posted online,” Haines says. “They’re doing this.” She believes the students have accepted this curriculum because they have each had their own struggles.
Starting a Conversation About Mental Health
Haines has seen firsthand how the curriculum has impacted students. After her first class teaching Resilient Minds, one student came up to her and said, “Thank you for that. I really needed that today.”
This resource has also opened up the conversation for students to admit that they might not be okay. Haines shared a candid story about a student using the Resilient Minds curriculum.
“I’ve literally had a kid come in and say, ‘I’m not mentally well today. I’m struggling.’ ”
The Resilient Minds curriculum has not only started a conversation about mental health, but it has also given students the space to be honest about their struggles.
Thoughtfully Created Materials for Students and Teachers
Lutheran South has had a positive experience since integrating the curriculum’s teaching materials. Riethmeier likes the teaching materials, noting the excellent outlines that make planning easy.
The school appreciates the curriculum’s student books, too, and Riethmeier believes the books will be a good resource for students to come back to. He says the books do a good job of including various techniques and strategies the students can use. They also include room to jot down notes and doodle. After the class ends, the counselors are planning to let the students keep their books. Riethmeier believes the book will be a good resource for them to refer to in the future.
Fostering High School Students’ Mental Health and Faith
Using this curriculum has started a conversation at Lutheran South about a topic that is very important for teenagers. It has also given their students actionable solutions they can use in trying times and a resource to build mental resiliency overall. Most importantly, the curriculum reminds students of the hope they have in Jesus.
With its faith-based encouragement and practical skills, Resilient Minds is a great option for schools that are seeking to support their students’ mental health in a way that is congruent with their Christian faith.
Additional Resilient Minds Tools for Parents and Teens
With or without the curriculum, these pass-along resources encourage teens and parents with information, healthy strategies, Scripture, and devotions.
Resilient Minds: Handbook for Teens
This handbook supports teens during challenging years through Bible verses, devotions, and activities to encourage mental health awareness and coping strategies. Buy this resource for your teens, for your classroom, or for your youth group.
Resilient Minds for Parents: Supporting Christ-Centered Mental Health in Your Teen
This helpful resource for parents guides them as they support their teenager’s mental health. This booklet includes helpful articles, Scripture, and devotions. Parents can use this resource from start to finish, or they can focus on specific topics as needed.
Start Christ-centered conversations about mental wellness at your school with Resilient Minds.
