ABSTRACT

In the eighth session, participants are asked to explore their awareness and understanding of another strong emotion: fear. As a warm-up, they are asked to think about some commonly held fears. They are then encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and think more critically about possible responses in a fearful situation. The participants should be encouraged to express their thoughts, although it is not unusual for some young people to avoid admitting to any fear. The facilitator may wish to introduce the topic through the warm-up activity. Alternatively, it may be preferable to generate a thoughtstorm around the word ‘fear’. The facilitator can then prompt and guide a group discussion aimed at gauging the participants’ current level of understanding and experience. The facilitator should challenge any stereotypical thinking and clarify any misperceptions the participants may have.