I think it’s always great when we can bring positive, accurate information and increased awareness about mental health into mainstream groups, communities, and organizations.
So I was excited to learn of a recent initiative to teach mental health awareness to youth groups. Through an initiative led by the International Bipolar Foundation, whose tag line is “a world of hope, resources, and support,” there is now a packet of resources and a structured plan for Girl Scouts and other similar scouting organizations to earn a “Mental Health Awareness patch.”
While these materials were developed with Girl Scout groups in mind, they could very easily be adapted for use with both girls and boys of all ages in schools, churches, after school programs, camps, or any setting where young people could benefit from learning more about mental health issues. So, even if you’re not into Scouting, please read on and think about how you might use these resources with other youth groups. Now, let’s take a quick look at the materials and process.
The objective of the Mental Health Awareness patch is to “educate Girl Scouts about the brain and its influence on thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and through that knowledge, increase awareness and understanding of mental illness…to change perceptions and reduce the stigma of mental illness.”
The patch can be earned by all levels of Girls Scouts, from the youngest (Daisies and Brownies) to mid-level scouts (Juniors and Cadettes) and older girls (Seniors and Ambassadors). Different activities are outlined for each of these different Scout ranks.
Learn about the brain and its role in mental health
The first requirement for all age levels involves learning about the brain, how it functions, the major parts of the brain, how a neuron works, and how mental illnesses can result from disruptions in the transmission of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).
Some of the resources for this part of the program include a drawing of a brain which can be colored and labeled, making a model of a neuron or brain from clay, play dough or other materials, word search puzzles about neuroanatomy and neurotransmitters, and a dominoes game of the different brain structures. Ingenious!
Mental illness myths and facts quiz
The next required component for all ages is a quiz on facts and myths about mental illness. There is a short 5-item version for younger Scouts and a longer, more challenging 12-item quiz for the older Scouts. The quiz helps the Scouts learn about several common myths, such as “you can catch a mental illness from someone else” or “people with mental illness can’t work.” Basic facts are also presented, such as how common mental illness is (1 in 4 people), and how stigma prevents many people from seeking help.
Discover, Connect and Take Action
In addition to the two required components described above, Scouts then complete one or more activities from the “Discover,” “Connect,” and “Take Action” lists. Here’s a sampling of some of the activities from each of these lists:
Discover:
- Discuss how mental illness is the same or different as other illnesses.
- Find out about common mental health issues experienced by kids and teens.
- Have a mental health professional talk to the scout troop about mental illness and treatment.
- Find out about bipolar disorder, its causes, symptoms and treatments.
- Discuss stigma related to mental illness, using provided material on social awareness and how to use “person-first language” to emphasize the person and not their illness.
- Review a handout which lists several famous people who have had mental illnesses.
Connect:
- Read a book, or see a play or movie with a character who has a mental illness. Then discuss the movie as a group.
- Observe how people with mental illness are treated in the media and write down your observations.
- Interview someone with a mental illness and tell others what you learned.
- Write a story about a girl who has a family member with a mental illness.
- Role-play or act out scenes of a child who is dealing with a mental illness or disability.
- Express through art, music or writing how living with a mental illness might feel.
Take Action:
- Explore available mental health resources at school, or in the community, state, or country.
- Interview someone who works with a mental health resource organization.
- Create an anti-stigma or mental health poster.
- Volunteer at a local mental health event.
- Talk about mental illness and stigma with one or more adults and ask them to pass the message on to their peers.
Reflection
The final part of the program (“Reflection”), which is required for all age levels, is to discuss how the Scout Law relates to what they have learned from the various activities. After completing the entire program, scout leaders can submit a form to the International Bipolar Foundation, who will then provide the Mental Health Awareness patches for free.
The program materials include a useful resource list of links to numerous websites for more detailed information about the brain, mental illness facts and myths, stigma, famous people with mental illness, and community support and advocacy.
Further information about Mental Health Awareness patch and the entire set of materials is available through IBPF. I highly recommend this innovative program. As I’ve said many times, effective advocacy requires both getting informed and getting involved. Through excellent programs like this one, we can show young people how to become better advocates to promote mental health and to combat the stigma surrounding mental illnesses.
Here’s a question: What youth groups that you know about could benefit from this mental health awareness program? Please leave a comment. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!