YAL Presentation
Cari McCarty
Created on March 23, 2022
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Transcript
YAL and Mental Health: Our Top 10 Books
Presented by Miss. Cari McCarty Research by Jaeden Chapman, Breann Finegan, Cari McCarty, Ryan Reconnu, and Livia Schleicher
What is mental health?
take out your phone and scan:
A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Please note! This presentation covers some diffcult topics that may be triggering.
Why is the acknowledgment of mental health important in classrooms?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) states that:
"Mental health in childhood includes reaching developmental and emotional milestones, as well as learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems."
30%
of school aged children
VIEW
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education:
will experience a behavioral, mental, or developmental condition in any given year.
Now that we know why addressing mental health in the classroom is important, here is the research!
It's Important to be Accurate!
Poor or inacurate portrayals of mental illness leads to false beliefs and fear that can result in stigmas (Thaller & Siegel).
We'll talk about these disorders today:
DepressionAnxiety/Panic DisordersPTSDProsopagnosia (face blindness)OCD
In our research, we studied the various symptoms associated with these disorders that appear in our book selection.
Mental Health Interventions in YAL:What interventions are we looking for?
Interventions for mental illness in school-aged adolescents can look like: - Prescribed medication - Outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy- Inpatient cognitive behavioural therapy- Seeing a school guidance counselor, clinician, or psychologist - Mindfulness- Meditation - Support group attendence
The Importance of Positive and Negative Stigmas of Mental Illness Within Young Adult Literature Novels
What is a stigma?Stigmas are negative attituteds towards someone or something based off of a specific characteristic (i.e., "people with mental illnesses are dangerous).
Dr. Kia Jane Richmond's Using Literature to Confront the Stigma of Mental Illness, Teach Empathy, and Break Sterotypes
- Certain phrases that encourage stigmas about mental health: "Disturbed. Nuts. Freak. Psycho. Spastic. Crazy. Mental." (Richmond)
- Overusage of clinical terms for everyday experiences (i.e., using "OCD" as a term for someone who's very meticulous about something).
- Article provides Young Adult Literature books (some of which you will see later on this presentation) that would be beneficial to use in the classroom, so that one might encourage students to break their implicit biases pertaining to mental illnesses and encourage empathy amongst one another.
Critical Caring Literacy & Empathy in YAL: What books can be included in the classroom?
What is critical caring literacy?"Students and teachers can take a critical literacy approach through examining how characters in these novels are seen as vulnerable, pathologized, glorified, and/or positioned as “normal” given their intersecting class, race, and gender identities" (Guggenheim 29).
Critical Caring Literacy & Empathy in YAL:What books can be included in the classroom?
Why should there be empathy in YAL?“One of the issues that should be at the forefront of English Education is how literature can help young adults better understand—and confront the stigma of—mental illness. Scholars forward an important perspective: stigma about those struggling with mental health can be ameliorated through the opportunities that YAL provides for windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors into worlds that are alternately familiar and different" (Guggenheim 28).
How can mental health portrayals in YAL help students understand mental health?
- Mental health is still relatively new in YAL
- YAL target audience
- Having characters with similiar age or experiences gives the readers a sense of being able to relate
- Allows readers "windows" into aspects of mental health, and opens doors to important discussions about the topic
"
I don’t think there’s a way to reach 100% perfection in a portrayal of any mental illness because that state doesn’t really exist. For example,if you put five people in a room who all have depression, you’ll get five very different manifestations of it.
"
Mark Oshiro, author of Anger is a Gift
How we made our top 10 list:
Step 1Each of us nominated 2 books.
Step 3We rated each book out of 5 stars based on how well each book answered our research questions.
Step 2We discussed how each book answered each of our research questions.
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(4.7/5) Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Spencer-Hesser Kissing Doorknobs is a riveting story that follows Tara as she starts to present with symptoms of OCD. The book starts with her obsessing over a saying, “step on a crack, break your mother’s back.” Eventually she develops compulsions with sidewalks, doorknobs, and various other stimuli. Read to find out how she handles the onset of this illness and how she is finally able to find peace.
- Gives reader insight about a day in the life of someone with OCD.
- Focuses in on OCD for most of the novel and is empathetic towards the disorder. Tara's struggles with OCD are major plot points, however, it provides a realistic approach which allows for the novel to be teachable.
- Accurate portrayal of OCD, its symptoms, and how it is treated, includes both aspects of OCD - obsession and compulsion.
- Mentions of therapy throughout the novel, Tara finds a great therapist and begins to view therapy in a positive light.
- Plenty of positive stigma pertaining to OCD, as it provides realistic examples of OCD behaviors, as well as other things like getting professional assistance.
(4.3/5) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age novel that focuses on the protagonist Charlie Kelmeckis. Charlie is a 15-year-old heading into freshman year who is trying to find his place in life. Charlie keeps us updated on what’s going on in his life while writing to an anonymous “friend." Throughout the school year Charlie befriends two people named Sam and Patrick. As we learn more about Charlie, we start to see what all he has been through in his life and how certain past, present, and future events will affect his mental health.
- PTSD is accurately portrayed in this book, with night terrors, flashbacks, and triggers throughout.
- Positive stigmas pertaining to Charlie’s PTSD, providing realistic interpretations of PTSD from his sexual abuse and the traumatic suicide of his best friend.
- Charlie goes to therapy for his PTSD and has a realistic experience with interventions.
- Gives the readers a better understanding on how getting the right help you need can make a positive impact on your mental health.
- While the issues of sexual assault and suicide may need trigger warnings, this can teach upper class students the critical caring literacy needed for learning about mental health through YAL.
(4.3/5) The Year I Didn't Eat by Samuel Pollen The Year I Didn’t Eat allows readers inside the mind of fourteen-year-old Max, who struggles with Anorexia Nervosa. Per recommendation of his therapist, Max keeps a journal of his feelings. However, he begins to write to his disorder, who he calls “Ana.” Anorexia Nervosa not only attacks Max’s mind and body, but also his relationships with family, friends, and love interest. Written after the authors personal experience with the disorder, this novel provides a very raw, personal, and inspiring look into Max’s life.
- Fully accurate portrayal of an eating disorder. It is noteworthy because of how it touches on not wanting to not eat, but still feeling like eating is still necessary.
- Max experiences therapy frequently, where he confronts his disorder and works with his therapist to get better.
- In the back of the book, the author writes an acknowledgment to the therapist who helped to save his own life, thanking her, and recognizing the importance of therapy.
- Max shows how not eating can take a hard toll on the body which will harm your overall well-being. This is a realistic approach to talking about an eating disorder, providing readers with positive stigma.
- This honest and realistic experience of Max's eating disorder can provide an empathetic window for students to learn about the topic.
- Would be great to have in a classroom library but may not be teachable due to the fact that its topic may be extremely triggering to students that are affected by an eating disorder.
(4.2/5) Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven Jack Masselin is a 17-year-old who suffers from his undiagnosed prosopagnosia, a cognitive disability that inhibits his ability to recognize faces. Libby Strout is an overweight 16-year-old who had to be lifted from her house via crane after a panic attack, which led to years of anxiety and therapy. The book follows these two teenagers as their hatred for each other slowly turns into a budding romance.
- Symptoms of anxiety and depression are portrayed accurately.
- Addresses harmful negative stigmas of obesity, anxiety, and depression and counteracts them with ways negative stigmas can become positive.
- Libby's therapist is accepting of her in all of her unique ways of battling mental illness and bullying, providing a positive outlook on mental health intervention.
- Describes a lot of thoughts that both characters have, which can give students a look inside someone’s thoughts while they are experiencing anxiety and depression, therefore teaching empathy in critical caring literacy.
- A teachable novel for any secondary grade levels.
(4/5)Turtles All The Way Down by John Green 16-year-old Aza gets caught up in an investigation of an outlawed billionaire with a hundred-thousand-dollar price tag on his head if he is caught. Aza and her best friend, Daisy, are chasing after the billionaire while Aza is coping with thought spirals as a result of her OCD. Will Aza and Daisy capture the billionaire and live out their hundred-thousand-dollar dreams? Check out John Green’s bestselling novel to find out.
- Has an accurate portrayal of OCD, including both obsessions and compulsions in addition to thought spirals.
- Contains positive stigmas of OCD because Aza experiences therapy several times and tries to incorporate coping mechanisms into her life.
- Provides an outlet for teaching empathy and breaking harmful stereotypes surrounding obsessive compulsive disorder.
- Is teachable for secondary grade levels.
(4/5) (Don't) Call Me Crazy by Kelly JensenA collaboration of 33 voices and their experiences with mental illness. They discuss culture-changing issues such as using the word ‘crazy’, how to talk about mental health, and how to understand that every person’s brain is wired differently. If you, or anyone you know, struggles to start the conversation about mental health, this book is for you!
- Non-fiction!
- Displays real stories of people dealing with mental health issues and is therefore accurate due to the first-hand narrative experiences.
- Contains positive stigmas of mental health because it has authentic testimonies from people with mental illnesses.
- Addresses mental illness, psychological disorders, and intellectual disabilities, which can provide a full spectrum of knowledge regarding experiences with mental illness.
- Includes topics regarding mental health care, as some of the individuals share their experiences with therapy and treatment.
- Narratives include encouraging outlook on mental illness despite the honest truth of mental health struggles - if you are looking for a non-fiction approach to mental health education, this is a book you should teach.
(3.8/5) It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini 15 year-old Craig, tries to balance his social life, family dynamic, and the demands of his private school, all while struggling with severe depression. After contemplating suicide, he calls a suicide hotline and ends up in a psychiatric hospital for 5 days. At the hospital, he meets many different people struggling with mental illness, forms connections, and gains a new outlook on what living with his illness could look like.
- Has an accurate portrayal of Major Depressive Disorder, with symptoms of losing sleep, not eating, and intense feelings of helplessness.
- Faces realities of someone experiencing depression, including suicidal thoughts.
- Mentions experiences of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications to treat Craig's depression.
- Interventions are helpful & lifesaving to Craig. He reaches out for help and meets other people struggling with mental health, which made him realize that there are other people out there who struggle just like him.
- This book would be great to teach with guidance provided to students, there are dark moments that may be hard to navigate for young adults. Regardless, this is a teachable book for secondary students.
(3.7/5) Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro 16-year-old Moss Jeffries’s father died after being shot by a police officer in front of a convenience store. Moss has since then been the center of rallies protesting racism and police brutality. This caused Moss to develop and anxiety disorder. The novel focuses on Moss’s school, which is falling apart due to lack of funds and new harsh security restrictions, leaving Moss and his peers feeling like prisoners. How will Moss and his friends take a stand against the new school policies? Will Moss give in to hate and fear or will he realize that his anger is a gift? Read this award-winning novel by Mark Oshiro to find out.
- Diversity!
- Portrayal of a panic disorder is accurate, with panic attacks occurring after being triggered, and lessened after gaining coping techniques.
- Moss’s battle with his anxiety disorder is honest, providing readers with a realistic experience of anxiety.
- Moss's interactions with interventions are portrayed as helpful.
- Shows the readers a better understanding how going through a traumatic experience can leave a major impact on life in different ways.
- Moss’s mental health is not the center of the novel and teaches empathy for anxiety disorders through positive interventions and support, which is a great critical caring lens that can be taught to upper-class students.
(3/5) Hold Still by Nina Lacour Hold Still is a novel about friendship, which is never easy or simple. Caitlin lost her best friend, Ingrid, to suicide. Ingrid leaves Caitlin a powerful note in her journal in the wake of her death, and also leaves her alone to navigate life without her best friend. Caitlin learns about depression through Ingrid’s journal while journeying through new life experiences. Join Caitlin in her journey to understanding the impact of mental health, grief, friendship, and redemption.
- Caitlin goes through a tough time after their best friend commits suicide but instead of staying in a dark place, she chooses to find help to cope with grief.
- Does not include any mental health care. Even though Caitlin does not seek any formal help, she demonstrates appropriate coping mechanisms throughout the novel.
- Depicts some of the stages of grief and provides a realistic overview of the grieving process.
- Reflects on what it means to be a friend of someone who struggles with mental illness.
- Entailed an empathetic relationship between friends, which is a positive attribute towards critical caring literacy.
(3.25/5) Darius The Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram Darioush “Darius” Kellner prefers the company of fantasy and science fiction to that of other human beings. After finding out that his maternal grandfather has a terminal illness, Darius takes a trip to Iran to see his grandfather off and immerse himself in his heritage, while battling his clinical depression. This story follows Darius’ internal struggle with depression and navigating his cultural identity as an Iranian-American.
- Diversity!
- Portrays depression accurately and emphasizes the heritability of depression.
- Darius actively protests negative stigmas about depression that his family has.
- Darius's friend, Sohrob, demonstrates what it looks like to be a good friend to someone struggling with mental health.
- Darius and his father both take medication for treatment of depression, it is portrayed as helpful and necessary for their treatment.
- Explores the connection between cultural identity and mental health
- The protagonist struggles to fit in and have a good relationship with his family because of his mental illness, which can be relatable to young adults.
- Ideally teachable to upper-class students or can be a great classroom library addition!
BONUS FEATURE:books we eliminated & why
13 Reasons Why written by Jay Asher is a young adult novel that focuses on Hannah Baker, a freshman in high school who commits suicide. After her death, Hannah leaves behind recorded tapes of her explaining the 13 reasons why she killed herself.
- Little to none mentioned intervention, when there was intervention via school counseling it was portrayed as unhelpful.
- While this can be authentic and eye-opening, positive portrayals of interventions are preferable for young readers.
- Blames depression on other people, not the actual biological brain-based causes.
- YA novelists strongly recommend that suicide should not be a thrilling plot point in a way that glorifies the issue.
- Describes accurate warning signs of suicidal behavior.
- Includes sexually explicit content, which may not be ideal for young readers.
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
1.5/5
Biz, the main character in How it Feels to Float, is a young girl suffering from depression and intense feelings of grief after her father dies. This book follows the way that she is handling her emotions but is still plagued with visions of her dead dad.
- Contains mostly negative stigmas of mental health. Throughout the book, the protagonist sees her father in hallucinations as a form of trauma, and is used as a harmful plot device.
- Does include mental health intervention such as hospitalization, learning of coping skills, and mentorship, but does not measure up to the other listed books due to its inaccuracy.
- Focus is on the death of a family member, the readers may see this as how you can and should try and avoid the process of grief.
- She is seen to be cured in an unrealistic way. There was little depth to her illness.
- Does not have an accurate representation of depression which can create false empathy for students learning about mental health.
How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox
1.2/5
Read & share our books
How did this research impact you?Would you use these books in your classroom?
HEY
contact:Cari McCartycem1023@sru.edu
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