Get
Psyched!
Teachers! Contact Karen Padowicz to learn more about the bi-annual
field trip conferences for high school students. Held March and
November, these events expose students to mental health and the
imbalances of mental illness. Learning is encouraged through brief
presentations, video segments, personal stories and small-group
discussion. See “Tools for Schools”
for details.
Under
The Image
Real Voices. Real People
Real Voices. Real People
COFAMH has completed this educational awareness project funded
by the Glens Falls Rotary Foundation. Titled “Under the
Image: Real Voices. Real People”, this project includes
a 20 minutes audio CD, discussion guide, poster and resource guide
for people who work with Middle and High School-aged youth. The
purpose is to increase understanding of mental illness among classmates
and create a more accepting, supportive environment. People on
the CD are adolescents who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric
disorder. Listeners learn of this in Part 3 of the CD.
CLASS
ROOM DISCUSSION
The 20 minute CD contains five parts. Teachers can decide to use
the audio and companion discussion guide within their schedule.
The entire exercise can be completed in a 40 minute class or expanded
over several classes.
Part 1 introduces listeners to five kids. The purpose of Part
1 is to establish a relationship with the listeners without their
awareness – and possible bias – of the speaker’s
psychiatric disorder. Speakers talk about their interests and
make no mention of “mental illness”. Students may
wonder why they are listening to these kids. It is highly likely
they will identify with what the kids are saying. Part 2 shows
the “hurt” side of these kids – being picked
on, often alienated, and typecast by students and teachers. Part
3 identifies mental illness, symptoms, treatment. Part 4 discusses
friends, troubles at home, and the need for help. Part 5 provides
a wrap up which calls for more understanding of who a person is.
AVAILABILITY
Contact Peter Groff, CEO. Under the Image is available free of charge for people working
with youth in Warren and Washington counties. It is available
for purchase for organizations outside this area. (See Tools for
Schools for more information)
Breaking
the Silence- Teaching the next generation about mental illness
What's
Being Said?
"I used the plans as part of a four week unit on mental health.
The material complemented my lessons and we spent a lot of time
on discussion questions concerning teenagers and mental health.
The exercises in the plans are structured to fit right in with
most health books."
Bob Kaye
Wheatley High School Health Teacher, Old Westbury, NY
"I
just finished teaching the middle school version of "Breaking
the Silence" for the second time this year. It's one of the
best lesson plans I've come across. My students were very interested
and it stimulated many good questions and discussions. I believe
they are now a gang of "Stigma Busters."
Carole Andre Berner Middle School Health Teacher Massapequa, NY
"Programs like this designed to de-stigmatize mental illness
will help millions get the help they need."
Harold Koplewicz, MD Author, "It's Nobody's Fault"
Why
Talk about Mental Health?
1.
One out of five of our children will be struck by mental illness
at some point in their lives
2. Mental illness is far more prevalent than most mandated subjects
taught in health class today.
3. Mental illness is linked to many other social problems among
our youth...teen suicide, alcohol and drug use, school violence
YET it is the least understood and least discussed topic in today's
classroom.
4. The increase of inclusion and mainstreaming today's classrooms
makes it all the more important to build tolerance and understanding
in our schools.
Begin
With "Breaking the Silence"
1.
Meets National Health Education Standards
2. Meets character education and violence
3. Easy to use-fully scripted, posters, board game, one day or
extended class use, no prior knowledge of the subject is required
4. Puts human faces on mental illness and confronts the myths
that reinforce the silence.
5. Students will learn that mental illness is not a character
flaw that it's treatable, that warning signs exist and that stigma
is barrier to getting better.
6. Teachers will learn psychiatric disorder-how to recognize when
there's a problem and what to do about it.
For more information about how your school can receive a free
copy of the "Breaking the Silence" education packet, please contact Peter Groff, CEO Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health, 3043 State Rt. 4, Hudson Falls, NY 12839. 518 747-2284 ext 233 email peter@wwamh.org
