The Top 10 Goals of Mental Health 101:
1. Mental Health 101 makes a clear distinction between temporary feelings of anxiety or depression (which are common for all teens) and longer forms of mental illness, such as clinical depression, which can only be diagnosed by a mental health professional. 2. Mental Health 101 is non-controversial in nature and does not promote any political or religious agendas. 3. Mental Health 101 teaches positive behaviors and mental wellbeing skills like respect, responsibility, resiliency, and coping skills for stress and anxiety. 4. Mental Health 101 prevents at-risk and self-destructive behaviors like self-harm, suicide, depression, and anxiety. 5. Mental Health 101 teaches students to get support by talking to a trusted adult, such as a parent, guardian, teacher, or a mental health professional. 6. Mental Health 101 shows students how to get help if someone is having a mental health crisis, such as a panic attack or suicidal thoughts. The program also educates students on the most common mental illnesses, learning disorders, and disabilities. 7. Mental Health 101 teaches students how to have respectful conversations, even when they disagree with someone. 8. Mental Health 101 is non-judgmental, and it allows students to participate at their own comfort level. 9. Mental Health 101 can be taught as a Tier-1 class for all middle school and high school students. 10. Mental Health 101 is a research-based program that will soon become evidence-based, as we study the impact it has on positive school culture.