Students will understand some key characteristics of mental health.

Transcription

1 Scrambled Heads Session Objectives: To define stigma and understand its possible impact. SHeads EL/R/N Session Outcomes Students will understand some key characteristics of mental health. Lesson Plan: Scrambled Heads by Emily Palmer A Children's Guide to Mental Health: The main character, an egg, looks as if it is healthy, but in reality it is feeling ill an illness that can't always be seen. The overall message of the book is that it can be scary, but there are steps that you can take. It s about letting children know that if you have these feelings and you re not sure about them, you can speak to someone and things can be done. It shows that it s not just on the surface, there is a lot underneath. The book also says that sometimes mental health will need to be treated in a hospital it s not something that means if you re sad then you re depressed. While I haven t made it really in your face that it can be a horrific experience, it s a very fine line. I hope I ve worded it in a way that it makes children aware, and it starts a conversation that if you do get really poorly, there is a way you can get better. Emily Palmer Read the book with the students. How did the book make you feel? What do you think about the book? Who is the book aimed at? Explain that today we are going to learn about mental health and mental illness. Explain that just like being physically ill, persons with a mental illness have symptoms, can seek help, may take medicine, and can recover. Why do you think Emily Palmer wrote the book? List some possible reasons - Make more people aware - Highlight the need for more resources/help for those with a mental illness - Deal with stigma related to mental illness Why do you think Emily palmer used an egg as a metaphor? Activities What is stigma? Define stigma with the students. Walkinmyshoes.org has a good definition. is also a worthy site for resources on different mental illnesses. Using given statements, in pairs/small groups sort the statements into two groups agree/disagree. Share results ensure children have the correct facts as you go through. Choose a couple of statements that would stigmatise a person with a mental illness what would be the possible impact/consequence of these statements Extension What questions would you ask the author? write a letter to Emily Palmer explaining your thoughts on her book and asking a couple of questions Research help available.

2 Write an action plan to help stop the stigmatising of mental illness Resources: 1. Book Scrambled Heads by Emily Palmer 2. Statements to sort see below Important Points: Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors -- not personal weakness or a character defect Learning links: Equality Making comparisons Cooperative learning Overcoming Obstacles Resilience Debate/Discussion Information processing Personal Reflection Reflection: Questions: Positive comment from child: Positive comment from adult: Strategic Awareness Learning Relationships Curiosity Creativity Meaning Making Changing & Learning Resilience Learning Dimensions Social & Emotional Skills Attachment Neuroscience Temperament Emotional Literacy Social Inclusion

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