In a mental health crisis? Call or Text 988 • Available 24/7 • National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Build emotional vocabulary, reduce stigma, and create supportive family connections using Titan of Life
10
Essential Words
6
Family Activities
4
Age Groups
Acknowledge pain, seek support, author your growth story
Every child needs caring adults who see their potential
Advocate for psychological safety and cultural respect
Build family practices that mark resilience and celebrate growth
Master the vocabulary to talk openly about feelings, reduce stigma, and support each other through life's challenges
In "Titan of Life":
Break-in trauma (Ch. 13–14), street violence (Ch. 7), and hospital incident (Ch. 16–17) created constant vigilance and fear.
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"When we don't know what will happen next, our brain tries to protect us. What signs does your body give you?"
Try This Activity:
Create a family 'Calm Kit' with breathing cards, stress ball, affirmation cards, and music playlist. Use the 'Worry Thermometer' (0-10 scale) to track progress.
In "Titan of Life":
Loss of brother Nettie (Ch. 1) and stepfather (Ch. 6) created grief. The 'lollipop' ritual (Ch. 11) symbolized moving from bitterness to sweetness.
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"Who do you talk to when you feel 'stuck in gray'?"
Try This Activity:
Create a 'Bitterness-to-Sweetness' ritual like Melvin's lollipop. Make a family 'help signals' list with 3 people to contact when low mood lingers.
In "Titan of Life":
Constant moves, poverty, protecting others (Ch. 1–4), racism in sports (Ch. 4), and professional pressure (Ch. 15, 19).
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"What are your top 3 stressors this week? What's one we can shrink?"
Try This Activity:
Draw a 'Stress Map' with circles for school, friends, family, sports. Rate stress 1-10 in each. Choose one small action per circle to reduce load.
In "Titan of Life":
Neighborhood violence (Ch. 7), childhood medical scares (Ch. 2), racism in athletics (Ch. 3, 4), and hospital mistreatment (Ch. 16–17).
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"When scary things happen, our brain gets extra protective. What helps you feel safe again?"
Try This Activity:
Build an 'Emotional Safety Plan' with safe people, safe places, and safe practices. Practice 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise together.
In "Titan of Life":
Media stereotypes and internalized racism (Ch. 3) and institutional bias in hospital (Ch. 16–17).
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"When do you see unfair labels? What's a fairer story?"
Try This Activity:
'Flip the Script' exercise: Write a hurtful stereotype, then write the truth. Practice 'people-first' language: 'person living with anxiety,' not 'anxious person.'
In "Titan of Life":
New Citizen Program (Ch. 8) offered structured second chances. From 'the dungeon' training (Ch. 10) to durable leadership (Ch. 15, 18–19).
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"What does 'getting back up' look like for you after tough days?"
Try This Activity:
Create a 'Recovery Roadmap' template: 1) Setback faced, 2) What helped me recover, 3) What I learned, 4) What I'll do next time. Complete for 2-3 past setbacks.
In "Titan of Life":
From poverty to athletic success (Ch. 1–4), building programs that lift others (Ch. 6–9), and 'lollipop' mindset tools (Ch. 11, 19).
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"What do you say to yourself when it's hard? Let's write your 'bounce-back' words."
Try This Activity:
Start a family 'Resilience Jar'—add weekly wins (small or big). Read them monthly. Practice 'yet' language: 'I can't do this...yet.'
In "Titan of Life":
Melvin's candid admission of wanting to be white as a child (Ch. 3) and his journey to self-acceptance and service-centered identity (Ch. 11, 19).
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"What parts of your story make you proud? What makes you curious?"
Try This Activity:
Create a 'Family Identity Map' showing heritage, heroes, values, and traditions. Each person writes a 'My Truth Statement' about who they are.
In "Titan of Life":
Caring adults (Mom, Mama Gret, Mr. Sylvester; Ch. 1, 6), coaches (Ch. 6), New Citizen Program structure (Ch. 8), and Hamilton Center culture tools (Ch. 19).
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"Which routines help you feel calm and ready?"
Try This Activity:
Complete a family 'Protective Factors Checklist': trusted adult, sleep routine, movement routine, peer support, spiritual practice, purpose project. Pick one to strengthen this week.
In "Titan of Life":
Hospital incident (Ch. 16–17) shows harm when safety is absent. Hamilton Center's 'no negativity' and 'consumers first' tools (Ch. 19) model safe culture.
Ask (Ages 9-12):
"How do we show we're listening—even when we disagree?"
Try This Activity:
Create 'Family Safety Agreements': We listen to understand, we can ask for help without blame, we repair when we harm. Practice 'The Do-Over'—anyone can ask for a reset.
Move from bitterness to sweetness—literally and symbolically.
Keep a bowl of lollipops or sweet treats. When someone feels stuck in frustration, they pick one, name the bitterness, take a breath, and name one sweet thing (gratitude, hope, small win).
Build emotional awareness and regulation.
Draw a thermometer (0 = calm, 10 = panic). Everyone rates their worry level, then tries one calming strategy (breathing, movement, music). Rate again to see progress.
Identify strengths and supports.
Draw a circle with 'Me' in the center. Add spokes for: people who care, places I feel safe, activities that help, beliefs that guide me. Discuss which spoke needs strengthening.
Counter harmful labels with truth.
Write a stereotype you've heard about mental health, race, or background. Below it, write the truth—about yourself, someone you know, or from Melvin's story. Share it to reduce stigma.
Celebrate growth and build confidence.
Family members add slips with weekly wins (small or big). Read them together monthly to remember your collective strength and progress.
Create psychological safety at home.
Together write 3-5 rules: We listen to understand (not to win), we can ask for help without blame, we repair when we harm, we practice do-overs. Post on fridge, review monthly.
What part of Melvin's story felt most like your life? What part felt very different?
When did someone protect or believe in you? How did it change things?
What's one way we can reduce stigma about mental health in our family or school?
What tools does our family use when things get hard? What new tools do we want to try?
Who do we become on hard days? What helps us return to our true selves?
How we prioritize each other's well-being
Words we avoid + positive replacements we use
Our check-in time, format, and questions
What we do after tough moments (repair + reset ritual)
Review monthly • Celebrate progress • Adjust as needed
Consider connecting with a mental health professional if you notice:
Melvin's Example: Advocate for yourself and your family. Ask questions. Expect dignity and cultural respect. Seek second opinions when needed. Recovery is possible—and you deserve support.
988
Crisis Lifeline
741741
Text HOME
911
Emergency