How to Strengthen Mental Health: Wellness Action Plan (WAP) Template

Wellness Action Plan (WAP) template

(adapted for work with young people from mind.org)

A WAP reminds us what we need to do to stay well and details what our support (parent/ friend/ youth worker) can do to better help and strengthen us. Multiple supports are useful. It also helps us develop an awareness of our thinking style, stress triggers and responses, and enables us to communicate these to our support and others.

The information in this form will be held confidentially and regularly reviewed by you and your support together. You only need to provide information that you are comfortable sharing.

It is the responsibility of the support to ensure that data gathered in this form will be kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone without the permission of the young person. Certain circumstances may require confidentiality to be broken such as danger to self or others. Use safeguarding guidelines and common sense.

1. What helps you stay mentally healthy? (For example having regular meals, getting some exercise every day, your daily prayer time, light and space in your bedroom, opportunities to see friends/get to know new people…)

2. What can your support do to proactively help you to stay mentally healthy? (For example regular catch-ups, support with school work, communication with school or others, one to one accountability, explaining medical terms and other things going on…)

3. Are there any situations at school/at home/other places you go regularly that can trigger poor mental health for you? (For example conflict at school, certain groups/people, tight deadlines, something not going to plan…)

4. How might experiencing poor mental health impact on your life? (For example you may find it difficult to make decisions, struggle to prioritise tasks or school work, difficulty with concentration, drowsiness, confusion, headaches, difficulties with talking to and hearing God, difficulties to connect with friends/church family)

5. Are there any early warning signs that we might notice when you are starting to experience poor mental health? (For example changes in sleeping patterns, withdrawing from friends, not coming to church…)

6. What support could be put in place to minimise triggers or help you to manage the impact? (For example extra catch-up time with your support, guidance on prioritising school work and subjects, consider reasonable changes…)

7. Are there elements of your individual working and life style or temperament that it is worth your support being aware of? (i.e. a preference for more face to face, a need for quiet reflection time prior to meetings or creative tasks, having a written plan of self care in place which can be reviewed and amended regularly…)

8. If we notice early warning signs that you are experiencing poor mental health – what should we do? (For example talk to you discreetly about it, contact a friend that you have asked to be contacted, talk to your parents/youth worker/ pastor…)

9. What steps can you take if you start to experience poor mental health? Is there anything we need to do/can do to facilitate them? (i.e. you might want help talking to a teacher about school work, you might want a face-to-face meeting with your youth leader…)

10. Is there anything else that you would like to share?