🛡️ Student Mental Health Series *coming soon
Course overview
Lesson Overview

22.10 – When People Say “It’s Just a Joke” but You’re Hurt: Humor can connect people—but when jokes target identity, they cross into harm disguised as laughter. Hearing a racist, sexist, or cultural “joke” can leave you frozen between wanting to speak up and not wanting to seem sensitive. But your reaction is valid; jokes about pain aren’t funny. Explaining why it’s hurtful can feel tiring, yet silence often reinforces the behavior. The best approach blends honesty with control: name the problem without hostility. Saying, “That joke’s not okay,” or “That stereotype isn’t funny,” draws a boundary that protects your dignity. Change won’t happen overnight, but consistent truth-telling makes people rethink their words. Standing up for respect doesn’t make you humorless—it makes you courageous. Over time, you’ll notice more people follow your example, turning moments of ignorance into small lessons of awareness.

About this course

Trauma-informed mental wellness lessons that help students manage emotions, build resilience, and stay safe in real-world situations—like bullying, grief, violence, and poverty. Built for schools, youth programs, and Medicaid-compliant services.

This course includes:
  • Step-by-step guidance for handling social pressure, conflict, and unsafe situations
  • Stories and messages that encourage students to speak up, stay safe, and take control of their future
  • Flexible learning options for classrooms, after-school programs, and independent use

Our platform is HIPAA, Medicaid, Medicare, and GDPR-compliant. We protect your data with secure systems, never sell your information, and only collect what is necessary to support your care and wellness. learn more

Allow