A Mental Health Guide for Adult Literacy Facilitators

Friends,

We are again having national discussions about mental health and access to services. As adult education and literacy service providers, we are often on the front line - connecting individuals to the health literacy resources they need. We are also aware of the lack of resources that may be available in our communities.

I thought this resource guide might offer some information and strategies to help in the classroom. The guide is huge - but it was designed specifically for adult educators so there are some recommendations for using the guide: 

  • Chapters 1 - 5 contain an overview of concepts and important general suggestions for supporting learners living with mental health issues.
  • Chapters 6 - 16 present information on specific conditions and disorders, and strategies for supporting learners living with these specific issues. These chapters, and the strategies they contain, are listed separately in the Table of Contents so that you, as a facilitator, can look up a specific issue and use only the material you need.
  • Chapter 17 – 18 include resources and handouts for learners. 

I hope you find this resource meaningful and I'd love to hear your thoughts, concerns, ideas, and tips for dealing with mental heatlh issues in the classroom. 

Sincerely,
Kathy Tracey
@Kathy_Tracey

Comments

The resources you've shared are a great starting point for adult educators, thanks!  I want to also mention one other invaluable resource for teachers, and anyone working with persons with suspected, or diagnosed mental illness.  The National Association for Mental Illness (NAMI) has many resources to help persons with mental illness, their families, friends, and care providers to better navigate options for their safety, and the safety of others.  

One topic that I think also falls in the realm of responsibility for adult educators is better understanding the question of disclosure, or a person's decision to tell others about their illness, or not.  This is a concept that is commonly discussed across all disability communities, but may have special considerations for persons with mental illness, based on the continued stigmatization on mental illness in our society.  

NAMI's website includes information specific to disclosure and persons with mental illness.  It is a short, worthwhile read for any adult educator working with persons with diagnosed, or perceived mental illness.  Can you see sharing this information with learners, and colleagues, who may benefit from this information?  What do you think may be the challenges of sharing this type of information?  

Best,

Mike Cruse

Disabilities and Equitable Outcomes Moderator

Michaelcruse74@gmail.com