Sometimes it is easier to recognize the goodness and value of other people. It can be difficult to believe that we are good and worthy of respect. Students will learn that taking care of ourselves is part of the call to holiness. God has created us body and soul to praise him through both.
PK, TK & Kinder Lesson Plan
Students will learn that taking care of ourselves is part of the call to holiness. God has created us as body and soul to praise Him through both.
Grades PK-K Monday Knowing My Value Lesson Plan
This lesson reinforces the themes of promoting personal health, understanding emotions, and recognizing God’s personal plan for each person.
Grades 1-3 Monday Knowing My Value Lesson Plan
Resources
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
Healthy Habits for Life Activities
Grades 4-6 Lesson Plan
Students will learn about making good decisions that respect our inalienable dignity and that of others.
Grades 4-6 Monday Knowing My Value Lesson Plan
Resources
Grades 7-9 Lesson Plan
Students will learn about depression, addiction and suicide as life issues, from the perspective of faith. They will explore the understanding that God has a plan for each person, and that our responsibility is to respond with respect for ourselves.
Lesson I – Made in the Image of God
Lesson II – The Unconditional Love of God
Lesson III – The Four Levels of Happiness
Lesson IV – The Comparison Game
Resources:
Helpguide.org information on Teen Depression and Suicide. Valuable resource for parents and educators to understand symptoms and warning signs and know how to help.
ADAPP Suicide Prevention. A video training series to help parents and educators prevent suicide among youth.
New York State Office of Mental Health offers information on suicide prevention, including trainings, workshops, and learning modules.
The Samaritans NYC offer non-faith-based information on suicide: suicide prevention hotlines and also for “suicide survivors,” those who are left behind to sort through “what happened.”
Solace House Suicide Prevention Center (two NY locations: Long Island City, Queens; and Yonkers), to prevent suicide and also for suicide bereavement. (718) 482-0001
Suicide can be a challenging topic for everyone, but please remember that help is always available (24/7) for anyone suffering from depression or having thoughts of suicide. For confidential guidance for your child, or anyone:
Call, text, or chat 9-8-8
Similar to 911, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national hotline that connects a caller in a mental health crisis to a trained counselor who can address their immediate needs (and even help connect them to ongoing care if they desire).
Grades 10-12 Student Handout
Knowing that God has a plan for each one of us, and knowing that he created each of us exactly the way he wants
us to be, is easier said than done. We are daily barraged by factors wanting us to be smarter, thinner, better looking,
more athletic. There might even be people in our lives who tell us that we are not good enough. Many teens struggle with depression, anxiety and are even tempted to suicide. How can we come to believe our value in God’s eyes?
Lesson I – Believing that My Life is a Gift
Lesson II – Finding True Happiness
*Used with Permission from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles*
If you or a loved one are considering suicide:
You are loved, wanted, and not alone. In an emergency, dial 911. If you need to speak to someone about suicide prevention, call 1-800-273-8255, or text GOT5 to 741741, or click here for 24/7 free, confidential help.
Videos
Stories
- “The Meaning of Suffering” Fr. Mike Schmitz shares the wisdom of the saints and martyrs in regards to suffering. 6 minutes.
- “Racing for Recovery” Todd Crandell shares his story of overcoming addiction by training for Ironman competitions. 4 minutes.
- Francesca’s Story of Overcoming Suicide The love of Jesus and the power of the confessional overcomes the horrible reality of suicide. Hear Francesca share from Ireland her experience of planning, plotting, and eventually confessing her suicide at age 15. 6.5 minutes.
- Pastoral and Catechetical
- From Catholic Answers:
- “Overcoming Pornography Addiction” Matt Fradd explains how pornography addiction functions much in the same way as drug addiction. 8 minutes.
- “I’ve Confessed This 1000 Times!” Matt Fradd talks about going to Confession even when you know you will probably look at pornography again. 4.5 minutes.
- “Overcoming Drug Addiction” How attending Daily Mass, a life of prayer, and gratitude can help with overcoming addictions. 5 minutes.
- Relationships Involving Addiction A woman shares her concern about staying in a relationship with a man with addictions and the influence it is having on her faith. 5 minutes.
- “Church Teaching on Suicide” 5.5 minutes.
- “Are people who commit suicide condemned to hell?” 5 minutes.
- “Talking About Suicide” Fr. Mike Schmitz explains Church teaching on suicide and talks about hope being the best remedy for suicidal thoughts. 8.5 minutes.
- “Hope in the Face of Suicide” Fr. Mike Schmitz explains the Church’s sanctity of life ethic and how important it is that we treat all life as sacred, even when people feel that life is not worth living. 7.5 minutes.
- “How to Quit Porn” Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses how to quit porn, and how porn use is often a sign of deeper need. 8.5 minutes.
- “Where Are You Going?” Chris Stefanick invites us to think about where we are going and where we will end up. Great as the beginning of a discussion about why this life is not all there is. 3 minutes.
- “Why Does God Let Us Suffer?” This is the reason so many people lose faith and hope in God at their darkest moments. Chris Stefanick shares insights that help put suffering into perspective of our faith and the example of Christ. 5 minutes.
- “Faces of Meth” photos of people before and after addiction to meth. Tough to look at, but good to know. 2 minutes.
- Fight the New Drug 3 minute video and website provides facts on the devastating effects of porn on individuals and society, resources for overcoming addiction, and ways to get involved to change culture.
- Videos from former addicts on addiction from a wide variety of drugs. Each video is approx. 8-9 minutes. Highlight prescription drug use and marijuana.
- “Addiction” Fr. Rob Galea discusses overcoming addiction from a Catholic perspective. 5.5 minutes.
- “Looking after Your Body” Fr. Rob Galea highlights the importance of taking care of our bodies, but also of maintaining perspective and making sure that we do not idolize doing so. 3 minutes.
Articles
Stories
- Yaritza and Marcos share stories of growing up in LA and getting involved with drugs. Their lives were changed when they met Prevencion y Rescate who brought them to retreats and introduced them to the healing mercy of God.
Pastoral
- “What You or Your Friends Need to Know About Suicidal Thoughts” Leah Darrow’s inspiring story and insightful advice for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or their friends.
- “Close Your Eyes: Porn and the Sixth Commandment” LifeTeen’s Mark Hart explains why pornography is a violation of the sixth commandment and offers advice for overcoming an addiction.
- “Thinking About Drinking” Mark Hart walks through Biblical objections to drunkenness.
- “To Party or Not to Party” Mark Hart explains how choosing not to go to a party where alcohol will be present can be a powerful witness.
- Tackling Alcoholism and Suicidal Thoughts Together Articles explains how alcoholism and suicidal thoughts fuel each other and how to combat both problems.
- “Depression and Suicide- A Catholic Perspective” A Catholic take on depression and suicide through the story of Robin Williams.
- “Every Suicide is Tragic” USCCB article shares how assisted suicide raises overall suicide rates.
- Hope and Healing After Abuse. Catholic wisdom from young women who have suffered abuse, to help with the healing. Blog on Made in His Image website.
- LifeTeen articles to help with overcoming pornography.
Websites
The Victory App LifeTeen-created app to help win the fight with pornography. Features prayer requests, calendar tracker, daily check-in, journal, and is password protected. Victory book of daily inspiration can be purchased in-app for $1.99.
NDA website for teens with facts on common drugs.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers a hotline and online guidance for anyone suffering from depression or having thoughts of suicide.
Scripture and Church Teaching
Scripture Story of Overcoming Suicide from the book of Tobit.
Prayer Opportunities
Prayer of Intercession for Those Contemplating Suicide
For Parents and Teachers
FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS: Helpguide.org information on Teen Depression and Suicide. Good resource for parents and educators to understand symptoms and warning signs and know how to help.
FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS: “Ministering to People Who Suffer” Interview with Catholic psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro. Discusses how to appropriately distinguish the need for professional or spiritual help, how to integrate the two, and meet a person’s needs. Very insightful.
FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS: “The Heartbreaking Rise of Suicide Among Young People” Helpful information on reasons for increases in suicide.
Find service opportunities here!