Open eyes, Open minds: Mental Health Workshop
“Knowing more, Doing more Taking the Mystery out of Mental Illness”.
The “Open Eyes, Open Minds: Mental Health Workshop” is a critical and educational program focused on breaking down stigma, increasing mental health literacy, and promoting a supportive community for youths. Here’s an in-depth outline of the workshop:
Workshop Structure:
Title: Open eyes. Open minds: Mental Health Workshop
“Knowing more, Doing more, Taking the Mystery out of Mental Illness”.
Duration: Multi-Day Workshop
Course Objective:
To eliminate the stigma and fear of discrimination surrounding mental health, providing essential education about mental health topics and fostering a supportive community for young individuals.
Course Contents:
Lesson 1: Understanding Mental Health
-
Mental Health and Mental Illness: Definitions, distinctions, and common mental health issues.
-
Key Mental Health Topics: Anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, substance use, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), self-harm, suicide, healthy sleep, and eating disorders.
Lesson 2: Living with Mental Illness
-
Causes of Mental Illness: Biological and environmental factors contributing to mental health challenges.
-
Tackling Stigma: Strategies to combat stigma and understanding the importance of reducing societal prejudices.
-
Personal Stories: Sharing real-life stories of individuals living with mental illness and celebrities advocating for mental health.
Lesson 3: Seeking Mental Health Care
-
Community Support: Highlighting the role of communities, educators, parents, and mental health professionals in supporting youth mental health.
-
Changing Conversations: Strategies to reshape conversations about mental health, seeking help, and destigmatizing mental health care.
Lesson 4: Balancing Personal and Professional Life
-
Understanding Balance: Recognizing the importance of balance in life and its impact on mental health.
-
Stress Management: Differentiating wants, needs, and values, managing stress, and preventing burnout.
Lesson 5: Social Media and Mental Health
-
Understanding Social Media: Defining social media, exploring its uses, and identifying audiences.
-
Impact on Mental Health: Analyzing how social media affects mental well-being, including Social Media Anxiety Disorder.
-
Promoting Healthy Usage: Encouraging positive use of social media and fostering a healthy self-image.
Lesson 6: The Power of Peer Support
-
Peer Support Roles: Exploring the benefits and methods of utilizing peer support in mental health care.
-
Effective Utilization: Discussing strategies to maximize the potential of peer support in a care team.
Lesson 7: Stress Reduction Techniques
-
Understanding Stressors: Defining different stressors and recognizing their physical, emotional, and mental effects.
-
Coping Strategies: Identifying effective coping skills to help participants better manage stress in their lives.
Program Flow:
-
Introduction: Welcome and introduction to the workshop’s purpose, objectives, and the importance of mental health literacy.
-
Interactive Sessions: Engage participants through facilitated discussions, group activities, and open dialogues, emphasizing personal experiences and challenges.
-
Real-life Testimonials: Share personal stories and testimonials from individuals living with mental illness to inspire empathy and understanding.
-
Workshop Material: Provide handouts, resources, and additional reading material to participants for further understanding and reference.
-
Role-Playing and Scenarios: Conduct interactive exercises, role-plays, and scenarios to simulate real-life situations and responses related to mental health.
-
Panel Discussions: Organize panels with mental health professionals, educators, and individuals with lived experiences to provide diverse perspectives.
-
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Introduce mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques, and coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
-
Q&A and Conclusion: Conclude the workshop with a Q&A session, summarizing key takeaways, providing additional resources, and urging participants to be mental health advocates.
Workshop Impact:
-
Increased Awareness: Participants gain a deeper understanding of mental health issues and the importance of seeking help and support.
-
Reduced Stigma: Educating participants about mental health challenges, debunking myths, and reducing stigma surrounding mental illness.
-
Enhanced Coping Skills: Equipping participants with effective coping strategies to manage stress and maintain a healthy balance in their lives.
-
Community Support: Encouraging communities and individuals to be more empathetic, understanding, and supportive toward mental health issues.