Sometimes it feels like psychology class is all fun and games until we reach the disorders unit. Then the lighthearted, good-times vibes screech to a halt. Smiles and jokes are put aside. This stuff is SERIOUS.
The shift can give us all whiplash.
#1: Prep Yourself
It's always a best practice to take your individual students' perspectives and experiences into consideration. Prior to starting this unit, do some prep work to understand where your students are coming from. One way to do this is through anonymous surveys in which students can voluntarily share with you things like:
Experience they have with mental illness, if any
Movies/tv shows they've seen that portray mental illness
Books they've read that portray mental illness
Questions they have about a particular mental illness
The anonymous and voluntary nature of the survey is important to protect student privacy and help everyone feel comfortable. Stress that students can skip any questions they don't feel comfortable answering. Additionally, the data is most helpful to you as a whole, not on an individual basis.
It's also important to choose your questions wisely and tell students why this information will help you approach this difficult topic in a more informed and beneficial way. For example, if a large number of my students have seen the same movie that portrays schizophrenia, I should probably find some time to watch it, as I'll probably need to clear up some misinformation about how the disorder was portrayed.
#2: Prep Your Students
When introducing the unit, it's important to acknowledge why we take this topic seriously. Some thoughts I like to share with students:
Mental disorders are common and often invisible to others. We have peers that may have experience with a disorder covered in class, whether personally or through someone they love. Choose compassion in the ways you speak, especially during this unit.
Mental disorders are real. We may have seen movies that portray a disorder covered in class. Most likely, the disorder was exaggerated for cinematic effect. This can make disorders seem like horror or fantasy, but what we cover in class is about real experiences had by real people. Movies can help us understand, but we need to recognize their faults and limitations.
Mental disorders are dimensional and complex. We will learn a few key symptoms about a handful of disorders, but in reality, disorders are not simple and straightforward. They are experienced in varying degrees at different times and in different situations, and there are no simple explanations for psychological problems. We're striving for a base-level understanding of an incredibly complex topic.
I teach the disorders unit near the end of the year, once I have a strong bond with my students and faith in their maturity level, but no matter when you're teaching it, having honest conversations about the above points will help students explore this topic with empathy and care.
#3: Prep Your Resources
This can be a draining unit -- both academically complex and emotionally draining. Make sure you have material in place before you dive in to allow yourself the space to support your students and reflect on your practice.
Some time-saving resources that will make teaching this unit easier:
Presentation Slides: This PPT will guide you through major terms and covers all of the standards in this unit. If you're not sure how to organize all the content covered in this unit, these slides are a lifesaver!
Guided Notes: These guided notes are designed to pair with the presentation slides above and help students get the information they need without feeling overwhelmed by all of the content.
TED Talk: What Hallucination Reveals About Our Minds Viewing Guide: This viewing guide helps students stay engaged while watching this great talk about Hallucinations. Use this to shift gears from taking notes or on a last-minute sub day!
Find these resources and lots more to help with teaching this unit under the disorders category in The Adventurous Classroom store.
Is there anything else that would help you teach your students about psychological disorders? Share in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!
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