5 Current Event Ideas to Spark Discussion on Mental Health in High School Psychology Classrooms
Mental health issues have become increasingly prevalent in today's society, especially among young people. Now more than ever, it's important to incorporate this important topic into high school Health and Social Studies classrooms. Here are some ideas on how to integrate mental health-related news into your classroom:
Start with a Current Events Discussion: Begin class with a discussion of current events and ask students to share any recent news stories related to mental health that they have come across. This is an excellent way to keep students informed and interested in the topic while also discussing the ways in which mental health is portrayed in the media.
Analyze News Articles: Incorporate news articles related to mental health into your lesson plans. Have students analyze the articles, looking at factors such as the tone of the article, the sources cited, and the validity of the information presented. This helps students develop critical thinking skills and helps them differentiate between credible and non-credible sources.
Host Guest Speakers: Invite mental health professionals to speak to your class about their work and experiences. This gives students a unique opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into the field. It also provides students with a chance to learn more about the services available to those struggling with mental health issues.
Create Class Projects: Have students create projects related to mental health. For example, students could research the prevalence of mental health disorders among teenagers or create public service announcements promoting mental health awareness. These types of projects encourage creativity and engagement while helping students develop important research and communication skills.
Provide Resources: Finally, make sure to provide students with resources related to mental health. This includes information about support services available both in school and in the community. This helps students understand the importance of seeking help if needed and promotes positive attitudes toward mental health.
In this project, students research and examine the following Psychological Disorders in the media: Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders, Eating and Sleep Disorders, and Substance Abuse-Related Disorders. Students collect found articles in a "Psychology in the News" Scrapbook. QR Code included.
I've used this project as an extra credit assignment in my Psychology class and my Current Events class. This project also makes a perfect sub-day activity.
This digital resource is intended to be used with Hailey Hardcastle's TED Talk, "Why Students Should Have Mental Health Days". Hardcastle, an advocate for mental health for young people, delivers this short, powerful TED Talk about the importance of mental health education and support services in our nation's schools.
This resource includes before, during, and after viewing questions. A bonus hexagonal thinking activity is also included in this resource. (The bonus hexagonal thinking activity is DIGITAL.)
This resource is intended to be used with Christina Costa's TED Talk, "How Gratitude Rewires Your Brain." Christina Costa, a teacher, Ph.D. student, and advocate for mental health delivers this short, powerful TED Talk about the role gratitude can play in building resilience.
This resource includes before, during, and after viewing questions and activities. A bonus hexagonal thinking activity is also included in this resource. (The bonus hexagonal thinking activity is DIGITAL.)
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