“Start the Conversation” Kit to Support Emotional Wellness, Behavioral & Mental Health in Schools

At S&S, we are dedicated to the creation of exclusive, custom kits that we feel can make a difference in the lives of students. Our product experts custom build these kits with both kids and educators in mind. Social skills are at the height of importance in todays world, and we have the tools and resources to support topics like mental health, social emotional learning, behavioral health, wellness, and all other areas that reinforce helping others, positive behaviors, and good decision making. 

Our new “Start the Conversation” Night kits provide a hands-on way to provide adult-lead, middle school, and high school groups of students with resources to discuss mental health concerns, destigmatize talking about mental-health, and create an environment where students can develop emotional competency. These kits along with their contents when used in a healthy environment are an excellent tool and step towards building resilience and reinforcing positive behaviors and decision-making in a controlled environment. 

Key Benefits:

• Excellent value meets the needs of 50 children
• Packed in a reusable tub for portability and convenience
• Helps ensure a positive, safe school environment
• Reinforce helping others, positive behaviors, and decision-making
• Meets the criteria for allowable Title 1 and ESSER expenditures
• Includes a guide, 50 gratitude journals, activities, games, and crafts

What is Included in Our Exclusive Kit?

Note: Materials included in these kits are age-appropriate materials, but game content and questions should be reviewed prior to the event to ensure it aligns with the values of your student body.

Middle School Kit

• Toss N Talk About Emotions Ball
• Stop Relax & Think Board Game
• Feelings Wheel Print Out
• Play-2-Learn Dominoes – Cyber Smart
• Lets Talk About Your Fears & Worries Game
• Coping Skills Bingo for Teens
• Stacking Game with Self Esteem Cards
• 12 Teen Gratitude Journal 6×9
• 24 Think Positive Velvet Art Posters 
• 24 Velvet Art Positive Posters
• 48 Color Splash Broadline Markers
• Middle School Mental Health Guide 
• Sterilite Clearview Storage Container 66 Qt

High School Kit

• Toss N Talk-About Anger Management Ball
• Actions & Consequences for Teens Card Game
• Feelings Wheel Print Out
• High School Mental Health Guide
• Teen Sense Game
• Resiliency Bingo for Teens
• Totika Kohatu with Resiliance Cards
• The Ungame
• 12 Teen Gratitude Journals 6×9 
• 30 Velvet Art Posters to Personalize 
• Velvet Positive Word Stickers
• 48 Color Splash Broadline Markers
• Sterilite Clearview Storage Container 66 Qt

When students can safely express feelings and work to better themselves and each other, it helps ensure a more positive, safe school environment. Together we can destigmatize the discussion of these important topics, and S&S is happy to provide the tools to support yuor program.

Hosting a Successful Afterschool Event

WELCOME AND ORIENTATION

Choose a larger neutral area to greet participants and begin the evening with a warm welcome thanking students for their participation in the important event. Provide a brief orientation, explaining the purpose and schedule. Explain about judgement free zones and leaving attitudes and differences outside the door, and reassure students and teachers to not worry about having all the answers right away. Talking about mental health is an opportunity to learn together. Excite the group with the Journal giveaways and any other event provided takeaways.

ENGAGE AND INTERACT

Have enough staff on hand. Preferably those who have a positive rapport with students. Foster an atmosphere of participation and collaboration, and encourage students to interact with students who may be outside of their (group of friends). Highlight the importance of Open and Honest Participation and Non-Judgement involvement.

When planning a Start the Conversation Night with this kit, it is important to organize stations and decide how long students should spend at each. Having stations and spreading students out will ensure each student experiences, and benefits from, different topics while making it more difficult for cliques to develop and linger, allowing for a more open experience for all. Time limits and expectations should be communicated. We recommend creating signs with the name of each station with time limit reminders to ensure students benefit from each station. Here are four station ideas to accommodate groups of 12 students at each station:

JOURNAL & FEELING WHEEL STATION:
• Arrange area where journals can be passed out. Explain the concept of gratitude and its benefits to mental & physical health. Ask students what they are grateful for.
• Use a few packs of markers in this area to get students to personalize the journals. Get them excited about journaling by letting them explore and discuss contents of journals.
• Point out the included Feelings wheel and explain how and why to use it.

ARTISTIC STATION:
• Set up your crafting station with the decorating supplies included.

GAME STATION:
• Arrange a space with tables and seating for the games from your kit.
• Divide students into groups and take turns playing the different games. There should be an adult attendant at each game.
• Offer prizes/treats to make it more exciting and encourage participation.

ACTIVITY ALLEY STATION:
• Create a station for the three activities included.
• Follow the instructions included with each activity and rotate within.
• Have volunteers or teachers available to assist.

Learn more about Youth Behavior and Mental Health:

Looking for specific items? We’re here to help! Our product experts are happy to assist with any questions. Call 1-800-288-9941 or email [email protected].  

We can create Custom Kits to fit the needs of your program! View our Custom Kits page for more details.