Support for mental health across our lifetime
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe different sources of mental health support available and explain how to access them.
Key learning points
- There are many types of support you can get for a range of mental health needs.
- Early support can be available for everyday concerns, this can include talking therapies.
- There are mental health services that support specific needs.
- Recently, AI chatbots are starting to be used as mental health support, but we need to be careful when using these.
- More structured support may be available for long-term or severe mental illness.
Keywords
Support - the actions taken to help someone who is in a difficult or dangerous situation, such as providing care and seeking medical attention
Therapy - in this context, professional support to help people work through difficulties, improve mental health and develop coping skills
AI chatbot - computer software powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that simulates conversations and interacts with human users
Common misconception
Support for mental health can only be given on diagnosis, or if a person is referred by a GP.
Some support, such as talking therapies, can be accessed via self-referrals and without a diagnosis.
Teacher tip
Many different types of support are discussed in this lesson, and the key takeaway is that there are a variety of services available so that people can access what they need and do not have to struggle alone.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best describes the connection between physical and mental health?
Q2.When someone is treated unfairly because of a mental health condition, this is called ...
Q3.Which major life changes might affect someone's mental health?
Q4.Postnatal depression can begin many after giving birth.
Q5.Match each age group or life stage to a mental health factor that might affect them.
puberty and hormonal changes affecting mood
postnatal depression after having a baby
menopause and physical health changes
Q6.Which statement about looking after our bodies and mental health is most accurate?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definitions.
actions taken to help someone in a difficult or dangerous situation
professional support to help people improve mental health
computer software powered by AI that simulates conversations
Q2.Why should AI chatbots be used with caution for mental health support?
Q3.Which statement about accessing mental health support is correct?
Q4.Which best describes the range of mental health support available?
Q5.Match each scenario to the type of support that might help.
early support like talking to a teacher or counsellor
more structured, long-term professional support
family support services and counselling
specialist services for specific mental health conditions
Q6.Which type of confidential support service is available 24/7?
To help you plan your 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Support for mental health across our lifetime, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Support for mental health across our lifetime, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Mental health: How might my mental health change? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.