Lesson 8.1: Understanding and Treating Mental Disorders

Overview

This lesson focuses on mental disorders, what they are, causes, treatments, and the social stigma involving them.

Learning Targets

  • LO1: Explain what a mental disorder is and provide two examples.
  • LO2: Describe what stigma is and explain how it can affect someone with a mental disorder.
  • LO3: Explain different ways that mental disorders may be treated.

Preparation

Chapter Opener: Use the chapter 8 My Anxiety and Emotions self-assessment to introduce the chapter before moving on to Lesson 8.1 or assign the self-assessment as a homework task before starting this lesson.

For the Warm-Up Activity: Write the Journal Question on the board or identify (and copy as needed) the worksheets you plan to use:

For the Content Focus: Open the Lesson 8.1 PowerPoint slides or make copies of the Lesson 8.1 Note-Taking Guide.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Lesson 8.1 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Communicating About Mental Health.

Warm-Up Activity

Select a warm-up activity to help get your class focused and on task.

  • Self-Assessment: Have students complete the My Anxiety and Emotions self-assessment.
  • Journal Question: What do you know about mental disorders? What factors do you think influence a person’s risk of developing a mental disorder?
    • Option: Write or project the question and have students respond in their journal or on their “bell ringer” sheet as they enter class.
    • Option: Have students discuss the question with a partner or in a small group.
  • Vocabulary Review: Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the Lesson 8.1 Vocabulary Review Worksheet.
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Lesson 8.1 Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quiz and use it alongside a posttest to demonstrate student learning.
    • Option: Have students share their answers with a partner and then go over the answers together as a class.

Lesson Content

Review the content from the textbook lesson.

Lesson Focus: Communicating About Mental Health

  1. Give each student a copy of the Lesson 8.1 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Communicating About Mental Health.
  2. Assign students partners or place them into small groups of three to four students per group.
  3. Have students complete the worksheet with their partner or group.
  4. Read the worksheet’s scenarios one at a time to the class. Have each group share their appropriate response to each scenario.

Challenge Activity

Have students needing an additional challenge work on the following Thinking Critically task.

Research a common mental disorder that interests you. Use the information you find to write a short story about what it might be like to have the disorder. Write from the point of view of the person with the disorder and be sure to demonstrate empathy in your writing.

Reflection and Summary

Review the critical content from today’s lesson. Review the learning targets and ask students to answer each question posed.

Can you...

  • Explain what a mental disorder is and provide two examples?

    A mental disorder is a serious and ongoing problem involving how a person thinks and manages their emotions. Examples of mental disorders include

    • anxiety disorders,
    • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
    • obsessive-compulsive disorder,
    • post-traumatic stress disorder,
    • mood disorders,
    • personality disorders, and
    • schizophrenia.

  • Describe what stigma is and explain how it can impact someone with a mental disorder?

    A stigma is a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that is thought to be or actually is a disadvantage. The stigma society has about mental disorders is a social stigma that has a negative effect on the individuals with the disorders. Some of the harmful effects of stigma on the person with a mental disorder include

    • fear of seeking treatment;
    • lack of understanding by family, friends, coworkers, or others;
    • fewer opportunities for work, school, or social activities or trouble finding places to live;
    • bullying, physical violence, or harassment; and
    • believing that you will never succeed.

  • Explain different ways that mental disorders may be treated?

    Mental disorders can be treated through psychotherapy, counseling, medication and substance abuse counseling. The type of treatment or drug used varies depending on the type and severity of the mental disorder being treated.

Assessment

Complete one or more of the following assessment tasks for this lesson.

Take It Home

Create a list of emergency and crisis numbers and hotlines for different mental disorders or mental health crises. Put the list somewhere you will remember.

Option: Assign the My Anxiety and Emotions self-assessment as a homework task if it was not used at the start of this lesson.