COMPA SS L IGH T. Curriculum. A Serie s o n M en ta l H ea l th

Transcription

1 COMPA SS & L IGH T A Serie s o n M en ta l H ea l th Curriculum

2 Dear Viewers, Thank you for you interest in learning more about mental health through our Compass & Light film series. Our hope and prayer is that it will raise awareness on the issue, remind us that we are not alone in the struggle, and help direct us to places we can go for additional assistance. This film series was graciously made possible by dozens of donors and volunteers. We would like to share a special thank you to each of the individuals who courageously shared his or her story in this series. Without you, this project would not have been possible. One of the most valuable and vulnerable things we can do is share our story, so thank you to everyone who shared his or her story in this series. Grateful, Silent Images Staff

3 Discussion Questions: Anxiety Video 1. What were your assumptions about anxiety before watching the film? How would you now define anxiety? 2. Seth mentions, I have come to love the truth. What do you think he meant by this in relationship to his struggle with anxiety? 3. In order for us to learn to love the truth, we must identify the lies. Share a story of someone who was able to overcome the lies in their life with truth? 3. Several people mention that anxiety is "perceiving fear when it is not a real or active threat." Why does this make anxiety difficult for a nonprofessional to diagnose? Why is this important to know as you walk with a friend who is struggling? 4. Kevin mentions that the onset of anxiety can be as early as years old and 1 in 5 people struggle with it. How can our schools and churches be better prepared to meet this need? 5. Twila mentions that her first attack occurred in 6th grade, but she was unable to verbalize it to anyone. She says, I just felt bad. If children don't know how to articulate struggles with mental health, how does this make it difficult for schools or parents to adequately help a young person? What are the repercussions of misdiagnosis for these students? 6. Twila says, Recovery is not that I will not ever have another attack, it means that the next time it comes, I will be prepared. Why is this statement so important? How can schools and churches help our students and congregations be better prepared? 7. Justin mentions that the struggle with people asking for help is that our society pushes independence. Do you agree that this is one of the major factors that keep people from asking for help? What are other factors?

4 8. Justin mentions, If someone is vulnerable, all you have to do is maintain a space where they can be open and honest. You don t have to fix them. Can you share a time you did this well? Or maybe a time you did not? What have you learned about how to best create a safe space for others to share their struggles? 9. Meredith mentions, When shame or struggle is shared, its power diminishes. Can you name a time you have seen that to be true in your life or in someone else s? 10. A theme throughout this film is the power and necessity of good community in order to maintain mental health. How is your church, school or business doing with creating this healthy community? What is missing? What needs to happen more or less in order for people to feel safer to share their struggles? 11. Make a list of encouraging things you could say or do as you walk with a friend who is suffering with anxiety Ta k e s o m e t i m e a n d d i s c u s s t h e B i b l e v e r s e s b e l o w and how they relate to a Christian perspective on anxiety Ta k e s o m e t i m e a n d p r a y f o r y o u r o w n m e n t a l h e a l t h and for the health of those around us. Scripture Reading Genesis 3:10 Philippians 4:6 1 Peter 5:7 Psalm 8:4 Matthew 10:29-30 Matthew 6:25-27

5 Discussion Questions: Bipolar Video 1. Discuss the opening scene with Charles and his suicide attempt. What insight did this give you to those who attempt suicide? What did you learn about the effects of bipolar disorder from this scene? 2. Charles said, I really did not want to die. I wanted to live. Why is this important to know when we consider those who attempt suicide? 3. In 1980 the term Manic Depressive was changed to bipolar disorder. Even though the name has changed, why is manic depressive an accurate description of what it feels like to struggle with bipolar disorder? How did the manic side look for Jim? 4. The person who has it is the last person to get the memo. What does Jim mean by this? Why is this important for us to know for those of us walking alongside someone who has bipolar? 5. Beth explains how bipolar can impact a marriage. What stood out to you? 6. How can we do a better job overall caring for the spouse and family members? 7. Several people spoke about misdiagnosis. Why do you think this occurs so often? What are some solutions to this? 8. The counselor spoke about barriers for counseling the African American community, and mentions, The system is sometimes sicker than the patients we treat. What does she mean by this? What do you think are other barriers in the minority communities? What can be done to minimize the struggles for minority communities? 9. Beth mentions, People are afraid of it because they can not see it and do not understand it. What are other factors that create fear of mental health issues in society?

6 10. Jim says, Medication is only 50 percent of a wellness plan. What else is important? How can friends and family members assist with someone who is on the wellness plan? 11. Beth says, People who struggle with mental health issues are already in every church. You can create a church where it is safe or it s not safe. Describe what a safe and unsafe church looks like when it comes to serving those struggling with a mental illness. What are some practical things you can now suggest that your home church does to foster mental health? 12. Jim says, I am not bipolar. I have a chronic illness c a l l e d b i p o l a r, b u t i t w i l l n o t d e f i n e w h o I a m. W h y i s this so critical to remember when walking alongside someone who is suffering? 13. Charles ends the film by saying, Our darkness through testimony can be someone else s ray of hope. Every time we tell our story it brings healing to our soul. How can churches create more opportunities for people to share his or her story around mental health? Why is it important for us to hear these stories over and over and from a variety of different people? 14. Make a list of encouraging things you could say or do as you walk with a friend who is suffering with a bipolar Ta k e t i m e t o d i s c u s s t h e B i b l e v e r s e s b e l o w a s t h e y relate to a Christian perspective on bipolar Ta k e s o m e t i m e a n d p r a y f o r y o u r o w n m e n t a l h e a l t h and for the health of those around us. Scripture Reading 2 Samuel 22: 7 Psalm 107:23 31 Isaiah 41: 10 1 Corinthians 14:33 2 Corinthians 4: Thessalonians 3:5

7 Discussion Questions: Depression Video 1. What are some of the common misconceptions of depression? After viewing the film, how would you now define depression? 2. Fonda says that some days she has to put on a mask. How do you relate to this feeling? 3. Guillermo says depression looks different for everyone. What differences can you see between Fonda, Guillermo, and Josh s stories? Since depression symptoms can be so varried from person to person, what challenges can that create for our community? 4. How do you see the role of trauma played out in this video? 5. What was most impactful for you about Josh s story? The rate of attempted suicides in adolescents continues to rise, so what can we do to better support the youth in our community? 6. Dr. Feather mentions that 1-5 people suffer from a mental health problem. How should this fact change how we view our business or church community? Do we offer enough resources for the possible large number of people who are suffering? 7. Was it surprising to hear the connection of family history and mental health? What are some actions you will now take to consider your family history as it relates to mental health? 8. Josh says that we ve created a culture that makes it hard for people to admit they are hurting and need help. Do you agree with him? Why or why not? 9. Guillermo says that we need to switch our thinking around seeking help for mental health. If you had to go to counseling or be on medication for a mental health issue, how would you feel about that? How do you think other people in your life would react?

8 1 0. D r. F e a t h e r, G u i l l e r m o, a n d J o s h t a l k a b o u t t h e u n i q u e stigma around mental health? Why do you think this exists? Why do we treat it differently than a physical illness or injury? 11. As an individual, what do you think it takes to be a safe place for someone who is suffering with depression? 12. Make a list of encouraging things you could say or do as you walk with a friend who is suffering with depression Ta k e s o m e t i m e a n d d i s c u s s t h e B i b l e v e r s e s b e l o w and how they relate to a Christian perspective on depression Ta k e s o m e t i m e a n d p r a y f o r y o u r o w n m e n t a l h e a l t h and for the health of those around us. Scripture Reading Romans 3:5 Matthew 27:46 Lamentations 3 Psalm 13 Psalm 34:18 1 Peter 4:16

9 A Few Resources Mental Health America: w w w. m e n t a l h e a l t h a m e r i c a. n e t w w w. m h a c e n t r a l c a r o l i n a s. o r g National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): w w w. n a m i - c h a r l o t t e. o r g w w w. n a m i - c h a r l o t t e. o r g / s u p p o r t - g r o u p s Mental Health.gov w w w. m e n t a l h e a l t h. g o v National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: National Institute of Mental Health: w w w. n i m h. n i h. g o v Carolinas Healthcare Resources: w w w. c a r o l i n a s h e a l t h c a r e. o r g / m e d i c a l - s e r v i c e s / prevention-wellness/behavioral-health/resources Mecklenburg County Mobile Crisis: Promise Resource Network: w w w. p r o m i s e r e s o u r c e n e t w o r k. c o m HopeWay: w w w. h o p e w a y f o u n d a t i o n. o r g Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center: w w w. a n x i e t y a n d o c d t r e a t m e n t c e n t e r. c o m The Barnabas Center: w w w. t h e b a r n a b a s c e n t e r. o r g Agape Christian Counseling: w w w. a g a p e c h r i s t i a n c o u n s e l i n g. o r g Carmel Baptist Counseling Center: w w w. c a r m e l b a p t i s t. o r g / s e r v i c e s Carolinas Counseling Group: w w w. c a r o l i n a s c o u n s e l i n g. i n f o Christ Centered Community Counseling (C4): w w w. c 4 c o u n s e l i n g. c o m Christian Therapy Services for Women: w w w. c h r i s t i a n t h e r a p y s e r v i c e s. c o m Perry Counseling: w w w. j u s t i n p e r r y c o u n s e l i n g. c o m

10 SILENT IM AG E S Silent Images is a Charlotte based nonprofit organization that provides professional video and photography to other nonprofit organizations. In our past 11 years, we have had the privilege to serve more than 500 charities in 45 different countries. In 2018, in addition to providing video production to nonprofit organizations, we decided to produce Compass & Light in order to raise awareness for mental health in the United States. Currently, the Compass & Light series including videos h i g h l i g h t i n g a n x i e t y, b i p o l a r, a n d d e p r e s s i o n. W e w i l l add more videos to this series in 2019, which will cover t o p i c s s u c h a s d r u g a d d i c t i o n, P T S D, s u i c i d e, a n d t h e mental health of youth. Each video of the series includes a free curriculum that will help guide viewers through these complicated issues. If your office, church or small group would like a copy of the curriculcum, please contact us for details at info@silentimages.org. To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t S i l e n t I m a g e s a n d t h e s e r i e s, v i s i t w w w. s i l e n t i m a g e s. o r g. Additionally,iIf you are interested in donating to fund any of our future film projects, please contact us: or info@silentimages.org. We hope this series has encouraged you and given you a greater understanding of mental health. Our community is strengthened as we listen to the stories of our neighbors and are inspired to share our own.