People withPeople with

Mental illnessMental illness

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Walt:Walt:

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what mental illness is and how people cope with a mental illness in the family.

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In Pairs:Discuss what you think that the difference between ‘mental illness’ and ‘mental handicap’ is.

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Whereas mental illnesses can often be successfully treated, mental handicaps are disabilities, which affect a person permanently. People who are mentally handicapped may be born with a damaged brain or suffer brain damage in an accident. There are many sorts of mental illnesses which, like physical illnesses, can develop at any time during a person’s life.

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Sometimes people with mental illnesses are referred to as ‘loonies’, ‘nutters’ or ‘crackpots’. Some people argue that we should stop using such terms because by doing so we are discriminating against people who are mentally ill. Others argue that such terms are harmless. What do you think?

Think, pair, shareThink, pair, share

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People who are mentally ill are often victimsof prejudice. In groups discuss what forms this Prejudice takes. Suggest what a) individuals, b) the media, c) the government could do to help change people’s attitudes.

Make some notes and present back to the class

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Read the worksheet ‘Types of mental illness’. In pairs, test each other’s knowledge of the different types. Read out the definitions one by one, while your partner names the illness.

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What do you understand by depression?

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What are the symptoms of depression?

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Mind map ways that you think that you can defeat depression

Plenary

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In pairs, list the points you would make to try to reassure a friend who confides in you that they are feeling ashamed, upset and worried, because their mum has developed a mental illness. Share your ideas in a class discussion.

Homework

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Write an article for a teenage magazine about depression it’s causes and how to deal with it