Helping young people understand anxiety, manage overwhelming thoughts and build confidence.
The Storm Within is a story about anxiety, worry, unhelpful recurring thoughts and self-confidence. This accompanying Teachers’ Resource Pack has been created to help you bring these important themes into the classroom in a sensitive, accessible and engaging way.
Through the story and its accompanying activities, students can explore how anxiety affects thoughts, feelings and behaviour, while discovering practical ways to manage difficult moments and develop a more helpful approach to challenges.
You don’t need to be a mental health specialist to use these resources. The pack is designed to give teachers practical, ready-to-use materials to support meaningful classroom discussions and help young people develop greater understanding of themselves and others.
What’s included?
Lesson plans designed for students aged 11–13 and 14–16.
Ready-to-use classroom activities to explore the themes and experiences within the story.
Worksheets and reflection activities to encourage understanding, discussion and personal learning.
Fight, Flight or Freeze resources to help students explore how the body and mind can respond when something feels overwhelming.
Practical coping strategies to help young people think about ways of managing worry and difficult feelings.
Teacher guidance to help you approach sensitive topics thoughtfully and create a supportive learning environment.
PowerPoint presentation to support delivery of the lessons and classroom discussions.
Why use this resource pack?
Anxiety is not always obvious. Some young people may appear confident on the outside while struggling with worries and difficult thoughts internally. Others may find it hard to explain what they are experiencing or know what might help.
Using a story as the starting point gives students some distance from the subject. They can explore the character’s experiences, consider different perspectives and discuss possible ways forward without being expected to share personal experiences.
The activities aim to encourage empathy, increase understanding and introduce practical strategies that students can consider using in everyday life.
Designed for inclusive classroom use
The resources are intended for classroom learning and discussion, rather than diagnosis or therapy. Students should never be pressured to disclose personal experiences; activities can be completed by reflecting on the characters or fictional situations instead.
The pack can be used with a whole class, helping all students develop a better understanding of anxiety and emotional wellbeing.
Product details
Format: Digital Teachers’ Resource Pack and accompanying PowerPoint presentation.
Age groups: 11–13 and 14–16.
Licence: For use within one school.
Book: The Storm Within is sold separately. The printed book is not included in this digital resource pack. Discounted class packs are available.
Bring the story into your classroom and help young people explore anxiety, build understanding and discover practical ways to navigate life’s storms.
