Mental Disorders Teacher Resources

A 7-page packet of activity ideas, lesson plans, and information resources provides instructors of high school freshmen a wealth of materials to support teaching the concepts in a Health Smart unit.

Students are oriented to the kinds of treatment and care the mentally ill received prior to the 19th century-using the example of England's legendary Bedlam, the world's oldest mental health asylum.

High schoolers identify and discuss three important elements of health: physical, social, and mental health. They go into detail about each and spend a lot of time discussing the dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating a...

Students explore discrimination by the media. In this media awareness lesson plan, students examine stigmas concerning mental illnesses as they are portrayed in the media.

What mental health conditions could affect a student's performance while auditioning for a play? How do stress levels correlate with student absences? Scholars examine case studies to learn more about the mind and mental health or to...

Inform your class about teen dating abuse. This resource lays out a comprehensive plan for helping teens become aware of the signs of abuse. The lesson is complete with vocabulary, worksheets, a PowerPoint presentation, and videos....

James Hurst's short story "The Scarlet Ibis" provides readers with an opportunity to consider how they can support others who are experiencing distress. Participants learn self-care tips and connect to the short story's characters. They...

Third graders discover what mental health is. They discuss examples and draw pictures of themselves taking care of their mental health. They write a story about a time when they felt good about themselves.

Students explore the concept of the economy and mental health. For this economy and mental health lesson, students read an article about how the mental health community is booming due to the poor economy. Students discuss ways to deal...

Middle schoolers role play the part of someone with a mental illness and the families they are members of. They act out the scenes from cue cards and other students can state their questions and comments.

Students consider the goals of a treatment plan for persons who have had the way they think, feel, or behave changed because of mental illness. PET images are utilized to support the evidence of changes in the activity and functioning of...

Students discuss human emotions and mental health. In this mental and emotional health lesson, students write a short story regarding the "think and share" choice. Students include emotion, the connection between feelings and conflict...

Students discover that Dorothea Dix was the first to make the pubic aware of the terrible living conditions of people with mental illness in the 1800's. They evaluate the influence of citizen action on public policy.

Students investigate the effects of autism by creating a slide-show presentation.  In this special needs instructional activity, students define autism and the mental health problems it can cause young people afflicted with...

Adolescents explore self-esteem and the various factors that influence a person's sense of self in this four-part lesson series. Through a combination of whole class instruction, small group discussions, and independent work,...

Students discuss feelings and ways to deal with problems. In this conflict resolution instructional activity, students identify their feelings and learn ways to resolve conflicts with others.

Here are some ways you can help your students understand and cope with their feelings. This presentation provides ways to deal with anger and sadness through calm times, self talk, daily affirmations, and replacement thoughts. Note: This...

Intended to help sixth graders move on to middle school or junior high, this presentation discusses ways to cope with stress caused by change. While this cute and friendly format may invite good healthy discussions, it may not appeal to...

Encourage your class to think positively! In order to counter negative thoughts, it can be useful to think of rational and positive counter statements. This worksheet asks learners to read a few negative thoughts and practice countering...

The big idea in the last lesson in the Health Smart series is that individuals must practice emotional first aid, that just as we take care of physical injuries, we must take care of emotional injuries. Scholars watch a short video and...

The stated goal of this unit is to use poetry to "improve the emotional health of young people." Budding poets read and then supply their own lines for poems that deal with alienation, loneliness, and rejection.

How does someone develop an eating disorder? Explore the link between health and body image with a video from a larger biology series. Content includes the symptoms and effects of eating disorders, reasons that eating disorders go...

Students review what they know about clinical depression. In this personal health lesson, students research depression and treatments for it. Students then create information posters that feature factual information about depression.

Students analyze case studies to explore similarities and differences among illnesses. PET images are examined to explore how scientists investigate the changes in the way the brain functions during depression.