Activities

The film explores the experiences of young people suffering from a range of mental illnesses. Focusing on those who appear in the film provides a safety net for staff and pupils when discussing sensitive issues around mental illness.

Before viewing
A Write the labels below on a board, or cards, and ask students under what circumstances someone might apply each of the words to someone else. Why?

bananas, freak, obsessed, psycho, mad, mental, nuts, queer, schizo, weirdo

Do any of the labels relate to specific mental illnesses?
What do students understand about the illnesses identified?
What's the connection with the label?
Note the issues arising out of discussion, and any conclusions.
Can you tell if someone has a mental illness just by looking at them?

B Ask groups of students to focus on one of the following and build a profile for the individuals they have been given using the questions below.
a) Bekkie, Holly
b) Craig, Ali
c) Heidi, Emma, David
d) Linzi, Ojaih
e) Cheryl, Jennie, Kylie, John

What illness was each suffering from?
How did they themselves think it might have started?
What did it feel like inside the person's head?
How did it affect their behaviour?
What was the impact on their life?
What was the effect of treatment?

After viewing
Complete the profiles or alternatively convert the information into a grid with names down one side and questions across the top.
Did any patterns emerge? What were they?
Can they account for them?
What do they think the future is for each person?
Did anything surprise them?
How did they feel about each individual as their story unfolded?

Key questions
How might someone get involved in helping? What might they worry about?
Do they think there is still stigma associated with these illnesses?
If so, what causes it?
What could be done to help?