Though rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety continue to be on the upswing, there remains a stigma surrounding mental health, mental illness, and the root causes of psychiatric distress. Without avenues for expression or conversation, many people suffer in silence, failing to receive the support and tools they need to live healthy and satisfying lives.
This 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk About鈥� is on mental health, and features articles from 鈥�The Mental Health Issue鈥� of YES! Magazine (Fall 2018). Talking about mental health is an essential first step to help your students understand that they are not alone鈥攖hat other people feel this too鈥攁nd there are genuine ways to support themselves, their family and friends, and other people in their community. With openness and courage, it will get better.
How to Use This Collection
Suggested below are steps to a thoughtful and meaningful discussion with your students about school shootings. Choose what is appropriate for your class.
1. Students complete a pre-survey (optional).
2. Choose at least one YES! article and one outside article for a robust compare and contrast.
3. Use the discussion questions鈥攐r craft your own鈥攖o gauge your students鈥� understanding and opinions.
4. Students complete a post-survey (optional).
5. Explore curriculum if you鈥檇 like to dive deeper.
Reading Materials
YES! Articles
5 Fake Facts About Mental Health Stigma
The College Mental Health Crisis in 10 Sketches
I Stopped Playing the Strong Black Woman
BONUS: The Surprising Link Between Your Mental Health and Everyone Else鈥檚*
*This is a longer article that addresses why anxiety and depression are on the rise.
Outside Resources
(Forbes)
(NPR)
(Button Poetry, YouTube)*
*NOTE: This poem on emotional pain and resilience may be intense for listeners. Here is the t.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think that many people are silent when it comes to expressing their mental health issues? Describe how this relates specifically to young people. What are ways that we can break the stigma around asking for help? How can we create safe spaces to talk about mental health and better support you and your peers?
2. Sometimes poor mental health is a result of biology, but sometimes it is impacted by external factors. How do systems of oppression affect mental health? Think about racism, sexism, homophobia, misogyny and more. How do you see these outside influences affecting the well-being of your community, your school, your family, your friends or yourself?
3. What are some self-care practices you use to live well, cope with challenges, or overcome difficulties? Describe other tools and supports you would like to try to be a healthy and content person.
Curriculum
(Edutopia)
(Psychology Today)
