Tell them some real stories in your own life. After that ask them to tell a story about some event in their experience. In that experience you will see themes of anger, love, compassion, fear. They serve as a springboard for discussion. Analysis of character and motivations provide wonderful discussion.
Students like to listen.
It is not stressful and puts them into right brain modality. You may wish to consult the works of the famed hypnotist Dr. Milton Erikson who believed we can influence children's behavior and attitudes not with direct instruction but with the hypnotic power of story. Their brains open up so to speak. Once you have the involvement it may be possible to follow with a writing assignment. Discuss the story in the same way you would discuss a piece of literature.