Mental Health Issues: Has the World Gone Mad?

After Midterms, for our second 9th-grade unit, we will focus on mental health issues. I hope to talk freely, using readings based on scientific research so I can help remove any stigmas the students might have. I won't be covering eating disorders again, as we just finished talking about them during the "Body Image" section of our Garment Industry.

The ppt is a work in progress, as well as the handouts (A class/B Class.)

1. Why is studying mental health important?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 300 million people worldwide have depression and 50 million have dementia. Schizophrenia is estimated to affect 23 million people, and bipolar disorder around 60 million. A grim report recently published (October 2018) by 28 global specialists in psychiatry, public health and neuroscience warned that the world is experiencing a global mental health care crisis. The current approach by governments, if they don’t address this crisis will be devastating effects on individuals, communities, the global economy and human rights. Experts estimate it could cost the global economy up to $16 trillion between 2010 and 2030 if a collective failure to respond is not addressed. One of the reasons for the “world going mad” are global aging societies (dementia and alzheimers). Another reason, is inadequate care and outdated stigmas, that has led to mass human rights violations globally. It’s time to face our own stigmas and biases and use science and education to find solutions for a better future for everyone.

B. What Mental Issues do Students Face?

1. The US
2. Taiwan

Reading 1: 

Who? Smart people are more likely to suffer from mental illness 聰明人更可能苦於精神疾病

C. Who are the Unhappiest People?

Readings: 1. S. Korean students and 2. young people

3. Big rise in self-harm among girls (A/B)

D. Bullying
Reading: Bullied kids at higher risk of mental health problems (A/B)
E. Addiction
The Internet and Gaming
Readings: Too much gaming is a mental health issue (A/B)
Internet addiction sign of mental health problems (A/B)
F. Suicide
I taught this recently in my 8th grade ESL classes and will use the same materials.




G. Happiness and Solutions

1. Finland is the happiest country in the world, says UN report
2. Dutch Students the Happiest In the World
3. Singing in groups could make you happier
4. Tai chi may help reduce depression symptoms 太極拳可能有助減緩憂鬱症狀
5. Hip-hop can help mental illness (A/B)
6. Therapy center to help the persecuted
7. The Art of Being Alone

Extra: Burglary a threat to mental health,

When hoarding gets out of hand and turns a house into trash 當囤積失控到讓房子變成垃圾堆

Social Media, Girls and Depression

Resources:

Combatting Stigmas About Mental Health in TW

1.25 Million Taiwanese Have a Mental Health Issue

Taiwanese Society of Suicidology

World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10)

30% of Taiwanese Kids Have Mental Health Disorders

https://sharemylesson.com/collections/mental-health-awareness

https://sharemylesson.com/collections/internet-safety-and-cyberbullying

Policy and strategy for preventing suicide in TW

Top 10 Films on Mental Health (Netflix)