In this lesson, #students will learn about the growing rates of self-harm among #Black #teenagers. Then, they will create their own emotional-wellness tool kit.

By Nicole Daniels

Note to #teachers: The featured article deals with #anxiety, #depression and #suicide in young people. Please read it and this lesson plan to make sure they are appropriate for your class.

Lesson Overview

Featured Article: “Why Are More #Black #Kids Suicidal? A Search for Answers.” by Christina Caron

Several recent studies have revealed something that #mentalhealthexperts were not aware of before: People of different races do not have the same risk factors for self-harm. Emerging evidence has revealed that in the past 20 years, self-reported #suicideattempts rose nearly 80 percent among #Black #adolescents.

In this lesson, you will learn about why researchers believe that self-harm rates are increasing among #Black #children and #teenagers. Then, you will think about your own #mentalhealth and create a tool kit for mental well-being.

If you are having thoughts of #suicide, and you live in the #UnitedStates, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can find a list of additional resources at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. Additional resources in other countries can be found here.

Warm-Up

Part I. Reflection

In your journal, reflect: How comfortable are the people in your life with talking about #mentalhealthissues, such as #anxiety, #depression, #mentalillness or #suicide? Do conversations about mental well-being happen in your home or #school or with friends?

Part II. Photograph

Look at the photograph below, which was taken by Julien James and featured in the article.

- What is your reaction? How do you feel looking at it?
- What message, feeling or idea do you think the photograph is trying to communicate?

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

Questions for Writing and Discussion

Read or listen to the article, then answer the following questions:

1. What happened to Joe when he told his father that he wanted to see a therapist? How is therapy viewed in your family or community? Is it something that is embraced or stigmatized?

2. Why might #suicide questionnaires fail to identify some #Black young people who are at risk of #suicide? How is Jordan Burnham’s story an example of how this kind of oversight can happen?

3. According to the article, why are #suicide and #mentalillness often viewed as a “white phenomenon”? Have you ever experienced or witnessed a time when #race played a factor in a discussion about #mentalhealth?

4. What data does the article reveal about connections between #suicide and #race, #gender and sexuality? What is your reaction to the statistics included in the article?

5. What are some reasons there has been a lack of research looking specifically at the #racial and #ethnic differences in youth #suicidalideation, plans or #suicideattempts?

6. According to Arielle Sheftall, a principal investigator at the #CenterforSuicidePreventionandResearch at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, why is it important to talk about #race and culture when discussing #suicide?

7. What do you think of the programs developed by Lisa Ellis, a counselor at a #highschool in Cleveland, and Michael A. Lindsey, the executive director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University? Does your #school have any programs or services for #students to support #mentalhealth and well-being?

Going Further

Create an emotional-wellness tool kit.

What tools and strategies do you have to feel your best? Take a look at this Emotional Wellness Checklist from the #NationalInstitutesofHealth. Here are the six strategies they recommend with links to ways to practice them:

- Brighten your outlook
- Reduce #stress
- Get quality sleep
- Be mindful
- Cope with loss
- Strengthen social connections

In addition to the above strategies, here is one more:

- Journal. Take a moment to check in and respond to this question: How are you, really? You can use this list of feeling words as you try to name how you’re feeling and write it down. Try keeping a record of how you’re feeling for several days or a week. What do you notice? What is bringing you joy? What is feeling good in your life? What is feeling bad or challenging? What is one change you could make to feel happier, more connected or better motivated?

After exploring the ideas above, design your own personalized emotional-wellness tool kit to help you successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times. Which strategies work best for you? And try to be as specific a possible, such as including friends and family members you can reach out to, the sports or physical activities you can do to release #stress, or your favorite places to walk in your neighborhood.

Remember, though, none of these strategies are an alternative for seeking help when in crisis. If you are having thoughts of #suicide, and you live in the #UnitedStates, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

Additional Teaching and Learning Opportunities

- Learn more about the role of gender in #suicide. Read this article from September about rising #suicide rates among #Black #girls. What did the information in the study reveal? Why do researchers and #psychologists think these numbers might be rising? What do they think should be done? What do you think?
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-lesson-of-the-day-why-are-more-black-kids-suicidal-a-search-for-answers/