top of page

Educating Students in

Mental Health Literacy

Why mental health literacy?

Whether general knowledge about mental health, recognition of mental health conditions in self, and understanding of mental health conditions in others, research shows that mental health in the United State is frequently overlooked or misunderstood. The topic is particularly pressing for students, as mental health conditions typically begin to surface for the first time in adolescents and young adults. Coined by Anthony Jorm, the phrase mental health literacy is defined as "knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention" (Jorm, 2011). This set of lessons therefore seeks to improve mental health literacy in students. 

About

Who is it for?

These lesson plans have been designed with a specific audience in mind--namely, students in a high school classroom. However, plans can be made appropriate for middle school, high school, and college students. They are intended to be used either in a study hall or academic assist classroom. The lesson plans have been designed for a 60 minute class period, but they can be modified to be either shorter or longer. While it is hoped that the lesson plans can (and will) be revised for other classrooms, this unit is intentionally designed to be broad, so as to be valid in many types of classrooms.

"The problem with the stigma around mental health is really about the stories that we tell ourselves as a society"

Matthew Quick

bottom of page