Introduction
Hello Doctor 204s!
We need your help! In the age of covid and through the pandemic, a lot of us haven't been our true selves. It's tough feeling safe, supported, and navigating our days surrounded by masked humans. It's likely to take a toll on us all.
You know what though? We can help ourselves and each other by learning how to best support and nurture positive mental health.
By the end of this webquest, you'll be able to better know how to help yourself, or be an amazing support to others!
Let's all check in on our mental health.
Task
204 Nuggetheads, your task, if you choose to accept it (haha - just kidding, you have to accept it because it's getting graded for comprehension) is to create a Guidebook of Support for Better Mental Health (you are very welcome to change the name of this guidebook) that is meant to be given to someone who is looking to be a better support to someone in need.
I will provide some sites to help you in better understanding this task, as well as give you ideas on what might be needed in a time when someone is depressed, anxious or panicked.
Process
In your groups, watch the videos and peruse the websites below making notes answering these questions:
- What is mental health?
- Does everyone struggle with mental health?
- What can depression look like?
- What are five ways that I can help myself or others when dealing with mental health problems?
4) WalkinourShoes.org What is mental health? How depression and anxiety look different for different people.
5) Giving Help and Getting Help
6) Is there a cure for having problems with your mental health?
Evaluation
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| answers questions | answered all questions | answered some questions | answered few or no questions |
| notes & research | detailed and clear notes provided on topic | some notes provided on topic | little or no notes provided on topic |
| Guidebook details | many ideas, suggestions to both help yourself or others through mental health problems | some ideas, suggestions to help yourself or others through mental health problems |
few to no suggestions on how to help yourself or others through mental health problems |
| Grammar | Few or no punctuation, spelling mistakes | some punctuation, spelling mistakes | multiple spelling, punctuation mistakes |
The rubric above will help guide you to complete this Webquest to the best of your ability. I am looking for all questions answered, with detailed notes and research to support them, and the final guidebook to offer many suggestions and ideas on how to work through mental health problems. As this is a language related quest, punctuation and grammar are of the utmost importance.
You can do it! Go!
Conclusion
I commend you, 204, in being such an empathetic bunch of students.
While we all seem to know someone who struggles with mental health, it's been a great support to each of us to know that we are there for each other, and can help us when we're having tough times.
Keep your guidebooks handy, as others may not know that they need exactly what you've offered in it.
Credits
Teacher Page
Starting with an introductory discussion about mental health, depression, anxiety all are is a great way to start (if this hasn't been previously discussed). Is sad the same as depressed? Does depressed mean that someone will harm themselves? Being open, supportive and nurturing when discussing is incredibly important for students to understand the nature of this subject and how sensitive it can be.
Group work may be easier for students to work through links and information, especially since some of it may be serious in nature. Supporting each other and not being afraid to ask questions should be pressed.
If comfortable, students/class can showcase their guidebooks with each other or the school as a means to open up the lines of communication on mental health, and to destigmatize the struggles that those with mental health problems face.