Mental Health Challenges and Solutions in Today's Society

Description: swlogo L1-2 Functional Skills English Mental health & wellbeing: reading, writing & discussion July 2021. Kindly contributed by Stephanie Gilford, Birmingham Adult Education Service. Search for Stephanie on www.skillsworkshop.org Please refer to the download page for this resource on skillsworkshop for detailed curriculum links and related resources. https://www.skillsworkshop.org/resources/mental_health_and_wellbeing_slides For full use of hyperlinks and other features, this presentation should be run in full screen mode. Covers many Reformed Functional Skills English content descriptors, including: Reading: L1.12 Recognise that language and other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences and purposes L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the text L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of straightforward texts. L2.14 Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes Writing: L1.19 [L2.20] Use a [wide] range of punctuation correctly L1.24 Use format, structure and language appropriate for audience and purpose L1.25 Write consistently and accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate L2.27 Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently and accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate Speaking, listening and communication: L1.4 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly and accurately on a range of topics L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence L1.6 Follow and understand discussions and make contributions relevant to the situation and the subject L2.5 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly and effectively, providing further detail and development if required L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence

A mental health epidemic Key Vocabulary Between 30-70 percent of people with severe mental disorders have inadequate access to mental healthcare. A 2017 report funded by the European Commission said that around 56 percent of patients with major depression receive no treatment at all . Upsurge Growing demand Shortages Make two lists Disruption 1. What can we do to improve our wellbeing? 2. What else needs to change around us to improve our mental wellbeing? Who can change them? Fact finding Severe Can you identify 3 facts on this slide? How do we know that they are facts? Inadequate Post pandemic Experts around the world are warning of an upsurge in mental health problems for years following the pandemic. Yet at the same time, mental health services have been reduced during the pandemic and have not been able to fully meet the growing demand. This has seen disruptions to mental health services, such as counselling or therapy, but also shortages of medications. There has even been disruption in emergency mental healthcare, which can literally be a life-or-death situation for an individual. Text source: https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/meeting-demand-for-mental-health-support

A mental health epidemic Between 30-70 percent of people with severe mental disorders have inadequate access to mental healthcare. A 2017 report funded by the European Commission said that around 56 percent of patients with major depression receive no treatment at all . Task Discuss: should we offer the same treatment for mental health as we do physical health? Internet research: what challenges do people face when seeking mental health support? What could we type into the search engine to find facts and information about this? Writing task Pick either writing task a or b and write a paragraph. Make use of at least two language features and either an apostrophe or a set of brackets. a) Write a paragraph of advice to potential sufferers of mental illness: where can they seek support? b) Write a paragraph of complaint to the Health Secretary. Text source: https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/meeting-demand-for-mental-health-support Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzIMNr49-j0

My Journey with Imposter Syndrome Key Vocabulary Phrases like this litter my mind constantly, and it s tiring. I harboured these feelings for a long time before I learned they were symptoms of imposter syndrome a psychological pattern where people fear being exposed as a fraud because they doubt their skills and accomplishments. Harboured symptoms Psychological I worry that I can never produce something as good as what I have made in the past. Because most of the work I do is creative, I always fear I can t execute the ideas I have in my head. I get stuck feeling like I ve failed myself and my peers by not being good enough. Exposed as a fraud Execute Language features.. Purpose Can you identify any language features in the paragraph above? Support them with examples from the text What is the purpose of this text on Imposter Syndrome? Punctuation practice What is imposter syndrome? Impostor syndrome (IS) refers to an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others think you are. While this definition is usually applied to intelligence and achievement, it has links to perfectionism and the social context. Imposter syndrome (IS) Why has the writer used brackets in this sentence? Why are the letters IS written in capitals? Text source: https://the-peak.ca/2021/06/my-journey-with-imposter-syndrome/

What do we need? Key Vocabulary Esteem needs are the fourth level in Maslow s hierarchy and include self-worth, accomplishment and respect. Maslow classified esteem needs into two categories: 1. esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, independence) 2. the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige). Self-worth Accomplishment Classified Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or dignity. Esteem Prestige Discussion point Precedes Why do you think children and adolescents most need to feel respected? Why is status more important to them? Dignity What can you see? Can you identify any organisational features in the paragraph of text above? Punctuation practice How are commas used in the paragraph above? How are apostrophes used in the paragraph above? (e.g. Maslow s) Why do we use this organisational feature? Think about it How can we boost our own self esteem and confidence? What can we do? Text source: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

The impact of praise Key Vocabulary It's no secret that being praised often makes people feel good. Pride, pleasure and increased feelings of self-esteem are all common reactions to being paid a compliment or receiving positive feedback. This is because being praised triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the reward and pleasure centres of the brain. As well as making us feel good, dopamine can also contribute to innovative thinking and creative problem-solving at work. Self-esteem trigger dopamine Innovative Inference Enduring What is happening I this picture? Is it a positive or a negative interaction and how can you tell? Short lived These positive effects, however, are relatively short-lived, and for praise to have an enduring impact on employee engagement, it needs to be offered regularly. Praise and growth Task Watch the video. How can praise impact people? What is the main difference between the way these two groups are praised? Give an example of a statistic to support the main point of the study in the video. Can you remember a time when you received some praise? How did it make you feel? Text source: https://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/feature/power-praise-and-recognition Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWv1VdDeoRY]

Punctuation practice The impact of praise It's no secret that being praised often makes people feel good. Pride, pleasure and increased feelings of self-esteem are all common reactions to being paid a compliment or receiving positive feedback. This is because being praised triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the reward and pleasure centres of the brain. As well as making us feel good, dopamine can also contribute to innovative thinking and creative problem-solving at work. 1. Why is the apostrophe used in this sentence? It's no secret that being praised often makes people feel good . 2. There is a complex sentence included in this paragraph. Which one is it? 3. Can you find a language feature in this paragraph? Give an example to support your answer. Check your writing Short writing task Using the previous slide, and this paragraph as inspiration, write an article about the impact of praise and recognition in the workplace and/or the classroom. You must include: At least two complex sentences. At least two language features. A comma to separate items in a list, and an apostrophe. Text source: https://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/feature/power-praise-and-recognition

Self recognition Key Vocabulary At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was dealing with an overwhelming amount of rejection in my career. I made a folder on my desktop and called it You Are a Prolific Writer . In the folder, I ve compiled screenshots of affirmative feedback. These positive remarks were completely unsolicited and often arrived unexpectedly in an email and made my day. It s easy to forget this praise when I m not feeling stellar about my work. Now that I have an actual feedback folder, I visit and click through the photo album often. The empowering feedback as well as constructive criticism continues to propel me forward. Compiled Affirmative Unsolicited Stellar Empowering Propel Watch the video Fruitless How many language features can you spot? Reading through the screenshots has become a self-care practice for me and has helped me improve my self-talk when it comes to my career. Your task What would you call your folder? Use a language feature to write a positive slogan to remind you of your worth. Make a list [The] remarks bring me a sense of accomplishment that motivates me to keep [trying] even in moments that feel fruitless. Having a literal place to go when I need some encouragement has helped me remind myself to take pride in my work. What would you add to your Brag-folder ? What are you proud of? Text source: https://www.themuse.com/advice/feedback-file

Key Vocabulary What about you? Clarify What is your long-term goal? Productively Why is it important to have goals? Many people spend their lives drifting from one job to another or rushing around trying to get more done while accomplishing very little. Setting SMART goals means you can clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively, and increase your chances of achieving what you want in life. Acronym What is SMART? "SMART" is an acronym which stands for the 5 key characteristics that work together to set a goal: 1. Specific 2. Measurable 3. Attainable 4. Relevant 5. Time-bound Characteristic My ideas Thoughts? Specific Measurable Attainable Can you write a SMART target? Relevant Can you write a SMART target based on what you would like to achieve on your English course? Or perhaps more widely on your learning journey? Time-bound Your turn Complete the table above to start writing your own smart target. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA53yhiOe04&t=6s