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21st Century Skill: Mental Health Literacy

It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians would be diagnosed with mental illness in their life time. Therefore, it is important for educators as well as students to be educated on the different kinds of mental disorders and the way to treat them and overcome them.  Mental health literacy is the knowledge, beliefs and abilities that enable the recognition, management or prevention of any mental health problem (Bourget & Chenier, 2007).


Mental health literacy aim to challenge the existing stigma that discriminate against people who have been diagnosed with mental disorders. It also aim to eliminate the negative stigma associated with mental illness in the society (Wolframe, 2013). 

Media negative stigma around mental illness
What's so funny about mental illness? | Ruby Wax

How media portray of mental illness is very problematic, pop culture and mass media often perpetuates and misunderstood mental illness, it also create stereotypes about different mental illness. It isolated individuals with mental illness as those who are different, dangerous and should be avoided (Wolframe, 2013). Student’s today relay heavily on media to obtain information about literally everything, therefore, it is important for them to be correctly educated on mental disorders.  

Ruby Wax on Mindfulness

Inside Out and Emotional Health
Implementing Mental Health Evidence-Based Practices in Urban Schools
Mental health practice in classroom 
References:
Bourget, B. & Chenier, R. (2007). Mental health literacy in Canada: phase one draft report mental health literacy project. Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. 1 – 52.
Wolframe, P. M. (2013). The madwoman in the academy, or, revealing the invisible straightjacket: Theorizing and teaching saneism and sane privilege. Disability Studies Quarterly, 33(1). ISSN: 2159-8371.

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