This week, a blog at TeachingExpertise.com in London, England reminds us of the need to promote mental and emotional health, not simply react to mental illness.
The blog’s author attended an Optimus Education conference on Mental Health in Schools and was impressed with a session delivered by the Samaritans that focused on a program they’ve developed called DEAL – Developing Emotional Health and Learning. (Note: TeachingExpertise.com is the web site of Optimus Education.)
Samaritans has 202 branches across the UK and Ireland. The DEAL program includes a number of lesson plans, fact sheets, and an interactive 6-part DVD.
The DEAL web page includes four 5-15 minute downloadable movies, five .PDF files, and a 3-minute MP3 audio recording about emotional health. You’ll also find four television spots that take a humorous look at people who are reluctant to ask for help.
Every secondary school in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland received a copy of the DEAL resources as part of its launch in October 2006. For a limited time, a free copy is available to people who will use the materials with young people or schools. To request a copy, e-mail schools@samaritans.org or contact Amanda Edmondson, Schools Consultation Officer: a.edmondson@samaritans.org.
DEAL Program: http://tinyurl.com/6as8g3