Skills Guide
Teaching: Coping Strategies
Coping Strategies
Why This Skill Matters
Healthy coping strategies allow students to manage stress without harming themselves or others. Without effective coping tools, students may rely on avoidance, aggression, or emotional shutdown when overwhelmed. Teaching coping strategies builds emotional resilience and supports long-term well-being.
Student Challenges This Skill Helps Address
- Anxiety and overwhelm
- Emotional shutdown
- Maladaptive coping behaviors
How WhyTry Builds This Skill
WhyTry equips students with practical coping tools through Emotional Regulation, where students learn calming and self-management strategies. Support Systems & Relationship Building reinforces that coping also includes seeking help and using relationships as support. Facilitators guide students to identify and practice strategies that work for them.
Emotional Regulation
(“Defense Mechanisms”)
In Emotional Regulation, students are taught practical coping strategies to manage stress and strong emotions. Facilitators guide students to practice calming techniques and recognize when to use them. Processing emphasizes coping as a proactive resilience skill.
Support Systems & Relationship Building
(“Plugging In”)
Support Systems & Relationship Building reinforces coping by teaching students to seek support when stress exceeds personal capacity. Facilitators normalize help-seeking as a healthy coping strategy and guide students to identify safe supports.