Behind Happy Faces is designed to give students the tools they need to address their mental health. This 45 minute lesson includes one video and interactive exercises to engage students in their emotional development. Students will learn a definition of mental health and understand how to change ineffective coping mechanisms. This lesson is perfect for leadership trainings.
Learning Objectives:
- State a correct definition of mental health.
- Develop a stronger connection to each other.
- Differentiate between effective and ineffective coping.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN: TIPS FOR FACILITATORS:
1. Connect to the audience early about why mental health is important to you and why it should be important to them. If you have a personal story, then share it. Let them know they should take this seriously.
2. Keep the exercises concise. If you give them too much time they can devolve into so many other unnecessary conversations. Keep them focused.
3. Allow the exercises to be tools for them to identify how to work on mental health, but not become therapy. There’s a difference between them identifying what they can work on and voicing all of their experiences or pain. Stress that you want this to start conversations, but that they can do the work outside of the lessons.
4. Focus on connecting them to their emotions and each other. Have fun when you can. Be positive. If you are in a fraternity or sorority, make it a team building exercise that strengthens membership development and retention. Mental health is a part of brotherhood and sisterhood!
IN THIS LESSON
You will find:
- A PDF to print out that will guide you in facilitating your mental health curriculum.
- An online Powerpoint presentation to display overhead to your group/classroom.
- An embedded video to share with your students/peers.