Mental Health: Stigma

Mental health is something that we all need to talk about,
and we need to take the stigma away from it. So let’s raise the awareness. - Demi Lovato
The assignments that have activities are in red.
 Video Break the Stigma 2min 16 sec.
Blame Shame Empathy
Discussion: 
  • Ask students to describe what they think the difference is between being embarrassed and feeling ashamed. 
  • Students provide examples of times when a person might feel shame.
  • Students provide examples of when they might blame themselves for something a person might do or a situation a person might find themselves in. 
Watch the three videos. As you learn about stigma relate it back to how people with mental illness might experience blame and shame and how empathy is beneficial.
Video 3:25
Video 2:25
Video 2:53
Video ​1 min. 15 sec.
Video 5 min. 37 sec.
Video 6 min. 02 sec.
Video 2 min. 17 sec.
Picture
Click on chart. Article 9 ways to break mental health stigma.
Breaking the Stigma
Discussion
 1.  How can empathy help someone who might be struggling with a mental disorder or illness?

2. What are some things we can do to help those with mental illness not to feel shame? Look at the chart for suggestions?

3. ​Does it help reduce the stigma when you hear about famous people who struggle with mental illness?
​
4. Do you think telling others about a mental illness you or someone you know has is o.k.? ​
Click on infographic for "10 common warning sign of mental health condition..." video 1 min 48 sec.
Photo Credit: Spring, Claudia Meyer
Photo used under Creative Commons from built4love.hain