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Suggested length: 45 minutes
NOTE: This topic is recommended for 10th grade and above, at educators' discretion. Recent health research has revealed a rise in mental health issues impacting young people (American Psychological Association). Today, many high school and college students deal with anxiety and/or depression. Popular media platforms, like Netflix, have latched onto suicide and mental health as controversial, stimulating subject matter. Are these platforms doing more harm than good? While some believe they reduce the stigma around mental health issues, others believe they lead to increased suicide rates (National Institute of Health). What does popular media get right about young people’s mental health? What does it get wrong? As students, think about how your community values mental health, and what changes you’d like to see in the future. In this conversation, you and other participants will explore questions around mental health. By practicing the conversation agreements and sticking to the three-round structure, you’ll learn more about how you and your peers think about the importance of free speech and the responsibilities we all face around it.
Question Round 1: Get to know each other
Suggested length: 15 minutes
Get to know each other a bit by sharing something personal. Each participant should answer one or more of the following questions:
- How would you describe your town or city? (e.g. urban, rural, crowded, empty, big, small ...)
- How would you describe your school? (e.g. big, small, public, private, easy, fun, competitive, stressful ...)
- What are your favorite activities or hobbies outside of school?
- What do you want to do after you graduate?
- How would your best friends describe you?
Question Round 2: Listen and share to understand
Suggested length: 20 minutes
Share your views -- and listen openly to others' views -- on the assigned topic, without debating or trying to change anyone's opinion. Each participant should answer one or more of the following questions:
- As young people, what do you think about the notion that mental health has become a serious problem for your generation?
- How do you see mental health issues affecting your peers?
- How have your own personal experiences, however minor or major, changed the way you think about mental health?
- Does your community value mental health as an important issue?
- How do you wish your school and wider community would treat mental health?
- What are your thoughts on “13 Reasons Why,” the widely-watched Netflix show that depicted teen suicide? Did the program change or add to your understanding of teen mental health issues?
Question Round 3: Reflect and share takeaways
Suggested length: 10 minutes
Reflect on -- and share with other participants -- how it felt to join a Mismatch conversation. Each participant should answer one or more of the following questions:
- In one sentence, share what was most valuable to you in this conversation.
- What new learning or appreciations do you have after joining this conversation?
- Have you found common ground or areas of interest that surprised you?
- What is one important thing you thought was accomplished here?
Before starting a conversation, all participants must agree to these conversation agreements.
1. Be Curious and Open to Learning.
Listen to and be open to hearing all points of view. Maintain an attitude of exploration and learning. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking.
2. Look for Common Ground and Appreciate Differences.
In this conversation, we look for what we agree on and simply appreciate that we will disagree on some beliefs and opinions.
3. Be Purposeful and to the Point.
Notice if what you are conveying is or is not “on purpose” to the question at hand. Notice if you are making the same point more than once.
4. Show Respect and Suspend Judgment
Human beings tend to judge one another, do your best not to. Setting judgments aside will better enable you to learn from others and help them feel respected and appreciated.
5. Be Authentic and Welcome that from Others.
Share what’s important to you. Speak authentically from your personal and heartfelt experience. Be considerate to others who are doing the same.
6. Own and Guide the Conversation.
Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation by noticing what’s happening and actively support getting yourself and others back “on purpose” when needed.