Integrated Internet Resources

 

• Internet Source for Students:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond Blue and Kids Health

• Reason for Choosing Site: I chose Beyond Blue because it had a lot of information about depression such as symptoms, strategies, and useful knowledge kids should know about. The illustrations are helpful and make the website more engaging and approachable. Kids can click on different links depending on their needs and find something helpful for them. I also chose Kids Health because it had a lot of useful information about depression, symptoms and some links for other reasons kids might be sad or upset. Both sites were easy to use and were helpful. To be honest, there weren’t many good sites for depression for young kids and many of the online resources that were more interactive (Depression Quest) were too wordy, confusing or geared toward an older audience. The websites I chose were kid friendly and informative at the same time. In my classroom, I would show this to my students as a resource for if they are feeling this way and would spend time discussing what it means to be depressed, allowing them to explore the website on their own, maybe doing a scavenger hunt type of assignment like the one assigned in this class. This could be done at the computer lab, in class or at home depending on the resources available at the school.

Core Integration:

• I would incorporate these websites into my classroom by sharing the important information with my students after teaching about depression in class. I think it would be nice to do a scavenger hunt type of assignment where the students have to answer certain questions about depression using the websites and the information on it. It could be individual or group/pair work. After they completed filling out the worksheet and exploring the websites, we could meet back together as a group and discuss our findings and talk about depression and what we learned. In the worksheet I would ask questions like: “What are some of the symptoms of depression?” and “What can you do if you’re feeling depressed?”

Common Core State Standard Applicable:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.5: Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.

National Health Education Standard Applicable:

• NHES 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health.
  • PHW3.5.3 Describe characteristics of appropriate and trustworthy mental and emotional health services.
  • PHW3.5.4 Demonstrate how to locate sources of accurate mental and emotional health information.

Healthy Behavior Outcomes Applicable:

• MEH-1 Express feelings in a healthy way.
• MEH-4 Prevent and manage emotional stress and anxiety in healthy ways.
• MEH-6 Get help for troublesome thoughts, feelings or actions for oneself and others.

2. Internet Source for Teachers: 

A Teacher’s Toolkit to Mental Health

Reasons for Choosing Site: When I found this website I immediately noticed that there were resources for the teachers to give to their students, such as a stress management worksheet or a student self care toolkit. There is also a tab of How to Help a Student that has articles to help teachers learn how to talk to their students about their mental health, and how to support their students who may be struggling. I really liked how they have information on how to talk to student’s families about mental health and information for the teachers to give to the parents themselves. There are articles teachers can read to help create lessons on things like helping your peers cope with mental health challenges as well. Everything is clearly laid out on the website, and very easily accessible as well as free! Not only is it a great website for resources on mental health, it also includes a little bit of information about bullying, substance abuse, eating disorders, and suicide.

Core Integration: I would use this resource to help me form lessons on mental health to teach to students as well as their families. I think it is very important to inform parents on the importance of awareness of mental health, and if possible, I would want to hold an annual seminar or talk about during conferences. I would use the strategies for talking to families that the website provides, and provide them with the information for family members resources. I would provide my students with the worksheets like managing stress and the self care toolkit so that they are informed themselves as well. I would also use their information on creating a “mental health-friendly” classroom environment.

Common Core State Standard Applicable:

 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3: Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.

National Health Education Standard Applicable:

 

NHES 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health

• PHW1.5.3 Describe ways in which safe and healthy school and community environments can promote personal health.

NHES 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health

• PHW3.5.4 Demonstrate how to locate sources of accurate mental and emotional health information.

Healthy Behavior Outcomes Applicable:

 

• MEH-1 Express feelings in a healthy way.

• MEH-4 Prevent and manage emotional stress and anxiety in healthy ways.

• MEH-6 Get help for troublesome thoughts, feelings or actions for oneself and others.

3. Internet Source for Parents: 

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

  Reasons for Choosing Site: When doing research on a website I wanted to look for one that seemed supportive and understanding about depression and anxiety due to the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. I wanted one that would get families to feel like depression and anxiety was like any other health related issue in the sense that it is something that should be taken seriously (and dispel myths surrounding depression and anxiety). I was looking for a website that would provide emotional support for families since depression and anxiety affect the families as well. I wanted a website that could provide accurate, reliable and thoughtful information regarding anxiety and depression (what it is, possible symptoms and information on possible treatment options). After having looked through numerous websites Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance definitely met all the criteria. I would introduce this to families with a physical newsletter along with other resources involving health related issues and I would send/communicate the newsletter via preferred mode of communication (email, phone call etc…)  to ensure families know and have access to these resources.