Table 1.
Topics and learning objectives covered in adapted mental health literacy curriculum
| Adapted curriculum topics | Adapted learning objectives | Curriculum adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Stress & Stress Management1 | - Discuss the mind and body response to stress | - Included cognitive-behavioral therapy approach for stress management |
| - Learn skills to manage stress in healthy ways to develop resilience | - Reviewed several grounding techniques to reduce stress, including: 5-4-3-2-1, box breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation | |
| - Learn practical stress reduction techniques to decrease intensity of stress | - Provided resources to local youth mental health supports | |
| - Discuss healthy vs unhealthy coping skills | ||
| - Discuss habits that promote positive mental health | ||
| Self-Love & Body Image2 | - Learn about body image, body dysmorphia, and the psychological impact that beauty standards can place on teens’ mental health | - Included documentary style videos of teens discussing their experiences with unhealthy relationships with food |
| - Learn and apply practical techniques of self-compassion and self-acceptance to enhance one’s self-esteem | - Students completed guided self-compassion worksheets in small group breakouts | |
| - Learn about the signs and symptoms of various eating disorders | - Discussed BIPOC-specific topics of self-criticism (black hair self-deprecation, masculinity standards) and transforming these into self-compassion | |
| - Review questions to help identify and support a peer with a suspected eating disorder | ||
| What is Mental Health & Mental Health Stigma3 | - Learn about mental health and understand the difference between mental health distress and mental illness | - Discussed cases centered around BIPOC teens experiencing mental health challenges |
| - Learn about the brain-body connection | - Discussed ways to seek help for mental distress in school, home, and community. | |
| - Learn ways to help a peer demonstrating warning signs of a mental illness | - Reacquainted students with LA-specific youth mental health resources from Linktree presented earlier | |
| - Learn about stigma surrounding mental illness, and the impact of stigma on help-seeking | ||
| - Explore the differences between the myths and realities of mental illness | ||
| - Discuss ways of overcoming mental health stigma | ||
| Gender, Sexuality & Healthy Relationships2 | - Define and discuss sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation | - New mental health topic not included in original curriculum, based on SAB feedback |
| - Define terms associated with sex, gender, and sexuality | - Discussed case of emotional abuse centered on an imagined queer BIPOC teen’s lived experience | |
| - Define gender self-determination and describe its importance | ||
| - Review signs of healthy vs unhealthy communication in relationships | ||
| - Define and teach consent | ||
| Mood Disorders in Teens4 | - Learn about the most common mood disorders in adolescents/teens (major depression, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar I and II disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, and borderline personality disorder) | - Reviewed several clinical case examples of mood disorders in BIPOC and queer adolescents to deepen understanding |
| - Learn the ways in which mood disorders in teens can be treated | - Discussed differences between normal sadness vs. clinical mood disorders along with warning signs | |
| Anxiety Disorders in Teens4 | - Learn about the most common anxiety disorders in adolescents/teens (social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, specific phobias) | - Reviewed several clinical case examples of anxiety disorders in BIPOC and queer adolescents to deepen understanding |
| - Learn the ways in which anxiety disorders in teens can be treated | - Discussed differences between normal stress vs. clinical anxiety disorders along with warning signs | |
| Substance Use Disorders in Teens4 | - Learn about substance use in adolescents and the ways in which high-risk substance use can negatively affect mental health and adolescent brain development | - Presented harm reduction approach in discussing substance use, misuse, and treatment |
| - Review risk factors for high-risk substance use in teens and tools for prevention | - Presented documentary style videos of teens discussing their lived experiences with substance use disorders | |
| - Discuss warning signs of substance misuse in teens and ways to help peers | - Discussed substances not included in original curriculum, including synthetic marijuana, vaping, and ADHD prescription misuse | |
| - Identified causes of substance use and brainstormed alternatives to substance use with students | ||
| Mental Health Jeopardy2 | - Review of all the mental health topics covered throughout the year in a fun game of jeopardy | - New lesson created based on students’ feedback requesting fun and interactive mental health lessons |
1Topic adapted from Original Curriculum Module 6: The Importance of Positive Mental Health
2New Topic not included in Original Curriculum
3Topic adapted from Original Curriculum Module 1: The Stigma of Mental Illness and Module 2: Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness
4Topic adapted from Original Curriculum Module 3: Information on specific mental illnesses, Module 4: Experiences of mental illnesses, and Module 5: Seeking help and finding support