Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Tune In: Mental health

25 minutes

Find Out: Athlete case studies

25 minutes

Take Action: The friendly games

5 minutes

Reflection

Learning intentions

Students will:

explore the balance of mental health and physical health.

Success criteria

Students can:

explain the importance of physical health and mental health
propose and implement activities that build both physical and mental health.

Tune In: Mental health

Step 1

Provide students with a recap of the previous lesson. In it, students investigated factors that influence how they view themselves and how the voices of others can impact their identities and self-image.

Step 2

On a whiteboard, write the term ‘mental health’. Invite students to approach the whiteboard to write what they think the term means. After students have contributed, lead a class discussion with students and invite them to outline what they know about mental health.

Step 3

Read the World Health Organisation's definition of mental health to students:

‘Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.’

(Source: who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response)

Explain to students that some people can struggle with their mental health. Sometimes this means that someone's thoughts, feelings, or actions make it hard to handle everyday activities. Just like our bodies can get sick, our minds can too. This can make people feel sad, worried, or scared for a long time.

It's important to be kind and supportive to someone experiencing these challenges. They can get help by talking to a trusted adult, seeing a counsellor, or doing activities that make them feel calm and happy.

Taking care of our mental health, like our physical health, helps us feel better and stay healthy. If someone is having a hard time, it's okay to ask for help.

Find Out: Athlete case studies

Step 1

Explain to students that they will learn about Australian athletes who have spoken publicly about their mental health.

Watch the following videos with your students:

Video 1: Leisel Jones discusses her experience with depression. Please note that this video mentions suicide.

Leisel Jones Opens Up About Depression -(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hZeCjhOnQk)

Video 2: Olli Hoare discusses his anxiety. Please play the video until 31:00.

The Olli Hoare Story: Updates, Mental Struggles & The Journey to the Top -(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMwBg7Vs6Xw&t=1600s)

Video 3: Jemima Montag discussing health and nutrition.

Jemima Montag talks about her nutritional journey as a female athlete - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwZ9gY3YQJY)

Step 2

Direct students to the Student Worksheet to respond to the questions.

Step 3

Using the Think, Pair, Share Thinking Routine, discuss the following:

Why have these athletes spoken out about mental health?
Why is looking after our mental health just as important as looking after our physical health?

Take Action: The friendly games

Step 1

Explain to students that those who were supporters, not detractors, in these discussions allowed these athletes to share their experiences with mental health openly. The Commonwealth Games are known to create a community that inspires athletes and provides opportunities to understand and celebrate diversity.

Step 2

Your students’ task is to work in pairs to research the internet to find 1 example of a positive news story from the Commonwealth Games where athletes have shown fairness, unity, and inclusion. Students are to summarise their positive news story on the Student Worksheet.

For example, 3 Australian runners showed remarkable sportsmanship by waiting to cheer on the last runner, Lineo Chaka, after their 10km race at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Step 3

Invite pairs to share their positive news stories with the class. After students have shared, lead a discussion with them about the positive mental and physical impacts of participating in the Commonwealth Games on an individual, community and global level.

Reflection

Direct students to the Student Worksheet to complete an exit ticket.

Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds

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Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds

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