Assignment Activity 7: Creating A Supportive Environment
By
Ekaterina Shchegoleva
Department of Education, University of the People
EDUC 5470-01 Research in Education - AY2025-T4
UNIT 7: Integrative project
Dr. Bhavika Vyas
28th May 2025
Abstract
This article discusses the importance of a supportive environment for a harmonious life, particularly when facing difficult situations like failures, losses, disappointments, and unfulfilled hopes. High school students can teach themselves the basics of psychological help, but this skill is often overlooked in the curriculum. To show sympathy and empathy, students should use words that are in tune with the person's feelings and avoid holding back emotions. They should be explained that their emotions are normal and not to shame or ridicule them. Sharing their story of experiencing similar feelings can help the person realize they are not alone. Lastly, asking what students can do for the person can help them overcome their own difficulties and find purpose in life. Students can provide advice, domestic care, depression-related activities, and empathize with their pain. The lesson plan should involve students in working together, using various tasks to help them understand and empathize with the person's feelings.
Key words: Psychological education, person's feelings, personal difficulties, group work, supportive phrases, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, domestic care, sympathy and empathy, basics of psychological help, supportive environment
Introduction
A supportive environment is crucial for a harmonious life, especially when facing difficult situations such as failures, losses, disappointments, and unfulfilled hopes. Even strong people need support to cope with adversity and despair. Support can be provided by professional psychologists or close friends who can show participation and offer encouragement.
But what if it is possible to teach high school students the basics of psychological help so that they could provide this help themselves and receive it from their classmates? In the curriculum you can find different topics to study, but almost never real practical tips and techniques. In order to get an idea of these techniques students need to apply to special institutions themselves, to get experience in difficult situations or to go to study to be psychologists. And this necessary skill in everyday life remains outside of school education. Thus, this topic has been chosen to complete the curriculum of two subjects: English and Psychology.
What is better to do and not to do ever
To begin, students should be taught that to show sympathy and empathy, it is important to choose the right words that are in tune with the person's feelings and do not cause more suffering (Pace-Schott et al., 2019). Holding back emotions can lead to negative consequences for psychological and physical health, such as cardiovascular diseases, psychosomatic pains, and depression. To help somebody through a difficult moment, it is better to forget the phrase "don't worry" and instead use words like "I can always listen to you," "Your feelings are normal," "I know a similar feeling," "After failure, the mind tries to convince you of your inability to do something," and "What can I do for you?" These phrases can help establish a dialog and ease the experience of a dear person.
Loneliness can distort our perception and confuse our thinking, making us feel that those around us care less about us than they really do. It is essential to explain that their emotions are normal and not to shame or ridicule them. The teacher can explain to the students that sharing their story of how they experienced something similar can help the person realize that they are not alone with their pain and that there is someone around who has experienced similar feelings.
Finally, asking what students can do for the person will help them overcome their own difficulties and find purpose in life. By doing so, students can help their loved ones overcome their difficulties and reach their full potential.
When dealing with an upset person, it's important to ask for their ideas and support them. If they ask for advice, consider their ideas and invite them to evaluate them. If it is possible a student can provide domestic care, such as making tea or watching a movie (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles, 2020). If the person is suffering from depression, a student can suggest activities like walking to alleviate their feelings. When dealing with psychological trauma, it's important to understand and empathize with their pain. "Witnessing the distress of a loved one" can help reassure them by describing their experiences and acknowledging their pain. If appropriate, give the person a hug, as it is a unique way of coping with difficulties.
Lesson plan and techniques for working with students
In order for the lesson to be productive, students need to be involved in working with each other. The following types of tasks are suitable for this lesson:
Working in pairs - eye-to-eye breathing. Students sit across from each other, look into each other's eyes and maintain simultaneous inhalation and exhalation for five to ten minutes. This exercise allows you to feel the other person and get in tune with them.
Working in groups - telling about your feelings when you did the task in pairs. After the first exercise, pairs sit together and talk about what they felt while breathing. This technique helps to realize their feelings and experiences and express them verbally. The main rule of this exercise is to speak sincerely and listen very carefully.
Work with trauma in groups of three to four people with a list of supported expressions. The teacher distributes the lists of supporting expressions to the students and gives them five or ten minutes to study the phrases. Next, students sit in groups. One by one each student speaks about their experience, it can be something minor or profound, and the other students choose and read a supporting phrase to them. Each person in the group can speak about their experiences and receive sympathy and support several times.
Class work - a student stands and listens to words of encouragement from his/her classmates. One or more students (if desired) come to the center and listen to words of encouragement from their classmates. The student does not need to talk about their problems out loud.
Group feedback (new randomly selected groups). In random groups of four, students share their impressions of the tasks in class. They can talk about how pleasant or unpleasant it was to hear the support phrases, what feelings the phrases evoked in them, and whether they would like to have a similar experience again. Also, as part of the feedback, students discuss who might need support and whether they would be willing to give it.
Conclusion
WHO (Chano et al., 2022) defines life skills as the ability to adapt and behave appropriately, effectively facing challenges and maintaining mental health. These skills involve cognition, attitude, and knowledge to deal with societal problems. UNICEF (Chano et al., 2022) emphasizes the importance of using these skills to take responsibility for oneself and resist peer pressure.
To support a person in a difficult moment, it's crucial to show genuine support and avoid ostentatious or "to tick a box" manners. Here are simple rules which can be figured out by the students in the end of the lesson:
1. Ensure the person is ready to communicate, obtaining consent before starting a conversation.
2. Listen more than talk, feeling safe and heard.
3. Don't judge, devalue, or give advice unless asked for. Accept the person's feelings without accusations or advice.
4. Speak only for yourself, using "I-expressions" and not generalizing or twisting the person's words.
The list of 30 phrases of support (zhelezniaknastasia, 2024)
1. “I am here. I am with you. I'm here for you.”
2. “I may not know everything you are feeling and going through, but I am here to listen and support you in any way I can.”
3. “I hear you. And I'm not going anywhere.”
4. “Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with me. I really appreciate your trust.”
5. “You may not believe in yourself now, but I believe in you and always will”
6. “You are doing a lot and trying your best, I can see that. Please be kinder to yourself.”
7. “I am proud of everything you have done so far. All your hard work will not go to waste and will definitely pay off”
8. “I am your team. I will always be behind you.”
9. “I know it's hard for you right now. But I want you to remember that your life is very important.”
10. “No matter what happens, no matter what you choose(ed) and no matter what decisions you make, I will stay on your side and be proud of you”
11. “I'm listening to this and I'm torn with pain/sadness/hurt for you”
12. “Your mistakes and struggles don't define you. You can do a lot of things. Just don't give up and I'll support you through everything.”
13. “It's okay to be sad right now. It doesn't make you weaker. You are an amazing person. Don't forget that.”
14. “Let me know when you can talk about it. Together we can overcome anything.”
15. “I admire your strength/intelligence/talent”
16. “I'm really sorry about the way things turned out. But I believe that you will definitely get through this.”
17. “I know things are difficult right now. But I also know that you have everything you need to overcome all the difficulties”
18. “I believe in you and that everything will be fine, even if you don't believe it yourself. One day the troubles will be behind you.”
19. “You can scream, you can cry. But keep moving. Don't give up.”
20. “What words of encouragement would you like to hear right now? I will do everything in my power to help you.”
21. “Don't blame yourself for what happened. It's not your fault.”
22. “I'm proud of the way you're hanging in there after all you've been through.”
23. “You have a lot of things that others don't. You have intelligence/talent/charisma/health/internal core. You also have me. Remember that.”
24. “The biggest mistake in life is being afraid of making mistakes and doing nothing. You have the courage to at least try, and that's worth a lot”
25. “Perhaps words won't fix anything. But life goes on, no matter what. Even if you feel like everything is against you right now, it's not. If only because I'm with you.”
26. “Sometimes it feels like everything is missed. But if you miss one train, another will appear. It's the same in life: new opportunities come, other paths open up.”
27. “You can't always find a quick way out of a situation, but you can try to change your attitude to it. Let's try to do it together. For example, find some positive sides”
28. “I really want to see you happy. You are important to me.”
29. “The road is for the one who walks. I'll help you walk it. It will be easier and more fun together.”
30. “Let's try to think of a reason to smile together.”
References
Chano, J., Poogpan, J., Bhongchirawattana, U., & Nithideechaiwarachok, B. (2022). Curriculum to enhance life skills and personal growth among COVID-19 pandemic situation. Journal of Educational Issues, 8(2), 314-324. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1361694.pdf
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles. (2020). The CBT Model of Emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles. https://cogbtherapy.com/cbt-model-of-emotions
Pace-Schott, E. F., Amole, M. C., Aue, T., Balconi, M., Bylsma, L. M., Critchley, H., Demaree, H. A., Friedman, B. H., Gooding, A. E. K., Gosseries, O., Jovanovic, T., Kirby, L. A. J., Kozlowska, K., Laureys, S., Lowe, L., Magee, K., Marin, M.-F., Merner, A. R., Robinson, J. L., & Smith, R. C. (2019). Physiological feelings. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 103(103), 267–304. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763418308674
zhelezniaknastasia. (2024, August 14). Слова поддержки: 30 фраз, чтобы вдохновить и укрепить близких. PSYPSY - Психолог онлайн консультации - Психологическая помощь онлайн. https://psypsy.online/30-slov-podderzhki-na-vse-sluchai-zhizni/