CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE OUTCOMEI understand the importance of mental wellbeing and that this can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships. I know that it is not always possible to enjoy good mental health and that if this happens there is support available(Health & Wellbeing, Mental, Emotional, Social and Physical Wellbeing/Mental and Emotional Wellbeing)

YOUNG PEOPLE AND MENTAL HEALTH

SESSION OUTCOMESYoung people will: Understand the importance of mental wellbeing Understand that it is not always possible to enjoy good mental health Develop improved awareness of mental ill health Know where to go for further information and support

CURRICULUM LEVELFourth

RESOURCES Young Scot InfoLine www.youngscotinfoline.org

MATERIALS Access to computers and the internet

INTRODUCTION TIME: 10MINS

1. Ask the group in pairs to discuss the following question:

2. “What do you think we mean by the term Depression?”

3. Each pair to briefly feedback to the group

Ask the young people to spend 5-10 minutes researching the symptoms of depression with a partner using www.youngscot.org or www.youngscotinfoline.org.

SESSION CONTENT

ACTIVITY TWO AMD EVALUATION TIME: 20 MINSIn pairs, young people to draw an outline of a young person, then discuss why young people may suffer from depression. Record the reasons on the drawing

In pairs, young people to discuss how they would know that a friend was depressed and find out what support would be available to them using information available on the young scot information portals

SUMMARY

ACTIVITY ONE TIME: 20MINS

Who can suffer from depression? Split the young people into small groups. Ask the groups to discuss from the list of young people below who they think is more likely to suffer with depression and provide reasons for their answers?

15 year old boy who is going out with the prettiest girl on the estate 17 year old boy who spends his evenings and weekends reading as he finds it difficult to make friends A 13 year old girl who is popular and conscientious but struggling with her school work A 16 year old girl who has passed her standard grades and has just won a contract to model

Each group to feedback on who they think is most likely to suffer from Depression and explain their reasons why. Use this opportunity for a group discussion on how it is possible that ALL young people could suffer from depression and that it is not possible to predict who will suffer

Where to go for further information: Young Scot InfoLine http://www.youngscotinfoline.org/channels/health/?ss=1159&s=263&sr=1302