Unlearn The Lies About Mental Health

How can we be more effective at enhancing and becoming more conscious of our mental health? How can we come together to ensure everyone has the best mental health possible, regardless of how it manifests itself?

According to the World Health Organization, Half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are common among young people. Advocating for young people's mental health is crucial since it can significantly impact their well-being, academic and social functioning, and long-term outcomes.

Mental health is an essential aspect of overall health and well-being, and individuals need access to resources and support to help them manage their mental health. However, mental health education is not always a formal part of traditional education. Thus, educational institutions and organizations must recognize the importance of mental health education and take steps to integrate it into their curriculums.

In this episode, we want to help individuals recognize the significance of reinforcing discussions about a particular issue most people are uncomfortable with mental health. And also to spread awareness on how to be compassionate, empathetic, and kind to people experiencing mental health challenges. Join us as we learn about the importance of mental health education in improving the lives of teenage students' lives, assisting teachers in incorporating discussions about mental health into their classes, and providing resources and support for students struggling with mental health issues.

Today, we're joined by Seth Nilsen, the student organization "Mental Health Mankato" founder in college who founded CultureChange after Mental Health Mankato was awarded "Student Organization of the Year" in 2020 by Minnesota State University, Mankato.

CultureChange began by advising university student leaders on how to successfully advocate for legislative advancements and sending volunteer teachers to teach their mental health curriculum (K–12). The Mankato Clinic Foundation sponsored their curriculum.

Seth has developed the curriculum to align with the National Health Education Standards and has designed the lessons to be activity-based. Through CultureChange, he has also been able to advise university mental health policy. Thus, CultureChange has formally passed and implemented a bill at Minnesota State University-Mankato and is working with multiple other schools to adopt similar bills.

"The best thing about teaching mental health is that it teaches kids compassion and empathy. Nothing is more important than learning the importance of being kind at a young age. And there's no better way to learn how to be kind than to practice supporting people and understanding them who may be facing challenges that you are not facing." Seth Nilsen

Show Highlights:

(00:00:00) Episode disclaimer, highlight, and introduction

(00:02:05) Half of all mental health illnesses appear before age 14.

(00:03:29) Welcoming today's guest, Seth Nilsen

(00:04:30) A mental health advocate: Who is Seth Nilsen?

(00:06:08) What makes Seth passionate about being a mental health advocate?

(00:08:04) Being motivated by the inspiring journeys of people overcoming their mental health battles

(00:09:15) Mental health hasn't been a part of traditional education.

(00:10:43) How can we help and encourage students dealing with mental health challenges?

(00:13:21) A careful teaching method: destigmatizing mental health through mindful conversations.

(00:15:14) Self-awareness: Empowering students with self-awareness about mental health

(00:16:02) Why is teaching mental health education in the K–12 curriculum crucial?

(00:17:15) The Individual Stress Response Tracking Chart

(00:18:34) You don't have to be an expert to be able to help.

(00:21:15) Learning the importance of kindness through mental health education

(00:23:14) This episode is powered by Speaks to Inspire, the mental health solution for young adults suffering in silence. Speaks 2 Inspire works with colleges and universities to create and implement safe, comprehensive programs for campuses nationwide.

(00:24:00) The School Mental Health Framework: What does it entail?

(00:27:15) What does mental health mean to Seth Nilsen?

(00:28:00) Find ways to live your happiest life.

(00:29:59) CultureChange: School Mental Health Framework (Curriculum, Screening Tool Recommendations, Policy Recommendations)

(00:32:16) Where to find Seth to connect and learn from him?

(00:34:02) We can end the mental health crisis through proper education.

(00:35:12) What is dual programming?

(00:37:37) If you need that support for your mental health, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 9-8-8 now. For local and national resources, go to http://www.speaks2inspire.com/resources. Join the Unlearn the Lies About Mental Health Facebook group: https://bit.ly/UTLcommunity.

(00:38:49) There is no shame in having a mental health condition.

Key Takeaways:

"One thing I find with those who become advocates in mental health is that it hits close to home, whether it's a personal experience that we've had or a loved one that was affected by mental illness or any mental health condition." – Abraham Sculley

"I knew that I wasn't going to be able to be successful and just live the life that I wanted to live if I didn't address my social anxiety." – Seth Nilsen

"I don't remember ever taking a class or learning anything about mental health in school, nothing about anxiety, depression, or managing stress. It wasn't a part of the education that we received." – Abraham Sculley

"Let your students know you're a person they can go to. It's something that can be really meaningful to someone, whether it's a kindergarten kid or, in my case, a college student." – Seth Nilsen

"Being conscientious about the methods of teaching is the most important thing because it's all about practicing an open conversation about mental health and destigmatizing mental health through that." – Seth Nilsen

"Being able to identify your emotions is the first step in learning how to handle your emotions." – Seth Nilsen

"A stress response tracking chart gives the students a way to practice the concepts that the teachers are teaching, and it works in the best teaching practices as opposed to just a worksheet and lecture." – Seth Nilsen

"There is often a hesitation to talk about mental health or bring it up in conversation because many people believe that you have to be an expert to help." – Abraham Sculley

"We may not all have a mental health disorder, but we all have mental health, which is simply a state of well-being. It's how we think, how we feel, how we behave, how we interact in the world, how we overcome stressors and challenges, and how we interact with others." – Abraham Sculley

"The first step in solving our mental health crisis is creating the best possible social-emotional learning environment. It means incorporating comprehensive mental health education and educator's professional development courses." – Seth Nilsen

"It's important to be kind because being kind allows oneself to be happy. It also creates a community that is happy to be around each other." – Seth Nilsen

"We can end the mental health crisis through education and getting to a solution-oriented impact." – Abraham Sculley

"There is no shame in having mental health conditions or talking about mental health." – Abraham Sculley

Connect with Seth via the following:

• Website: https://culturechangecc.org/ 

• Email: culturechangecc@gmail.com 

• Facebook: CultureChange | Facebook

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-nilsen-689500183 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturechangecc/?hl=en

Unlearn the Lies About Mental Health is Hosted by Abraham Sculley.

• Contact Speaks 2 Inspire to learn about S2I programs: https://speaks2inspire.com/services/.

• Mental health resources for students: https://speaks2inspire.com/resources/.

• Connect with Abraham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahamsculley/.

• Order a copy of Unlearn the Lies at https://amzn.to/32B2jRh.

• Join the Unlearn the Lies About Mental Health Facebook group: https://bit.ly/UTLcommunity.

This episode is powered by Speaks 2 Inspire, the mental health solution for young adults suffering in silence. Speaks 2 Inspire works with colleges and universities to create and implement safe, comprehensive programs for campuses across the nation.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Crisis Text Line by texting "Home" to 741741 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255.