About This Lesson
My Life is Worth Living is a mental wellness and suicide prevention series produced by the Cook Center for Human Connection in collaboration with Wonder Media. Each episode models positive coping skills and positive mental wellness techniques. In the Resources tab, you'll find this video in the following languages (in order): English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Japanese.
Character Synopsis: Danny has experienced life-threatening physical trauma after a fire that happened in his home. Now that he is dealing with physical disability and visible physical difference, he is struggling greatly with his sense of self-worth. Before the accident, Danny was a music lover and a jokester, who loved messing with his little brother, Angel, of whom he was also highly protective. Since the accident, he’s lost interest in a lot of the things he used to love. He feels isolated from his now-distant peers and he feels guilty that his family has to see him struggling to adjust to his new life. With the support of his family and medical team, he is learning how to accept his new normal and openly communicate in hard times so that he stays safe and feels connected.
Episode Synopsis: Still getting used to his prosthetic hand, Danny’s morning routine leaves him frustrated and irritable. His mom’s over-helpfulness at breakfast adds to his irritation, and when he accidentally breaks a glass, his composure shatters with it. Danny’s negative thoughts take over, raging until his little brother Angel begs him to stop. Later, Dr. Everton suggests that Danny make a safety plan to help cope with his negative thoughts, and that sharing about his experience with peers might be better than bottling his feelings up. Still haunted by that morning’s incident, Danny is eager to try anything to find relief.
In each My Life is Worth Living lesson plan, you will find partner and class discussion prompts, writing prompts, a group activity, and a family resource. This lesson is appropriate for grades 6-12.
