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General Information	Course Overview	Course Objectives	Course Requirements
Grading Scale	Additional Information	Course Schedule	Self-Reflection Journal
The Notebook	The Road Less Traveled	American Beauty	Students' Comments

General Information
 

Assistant Professor:	Dr. Keith A. King
Class Location:	619 Teachers College
Class Time:	9:30 - 11:20 AM  M-F
Office Location:	526-E  Teachers College
Office Hours:	By appointment
Office Phone:	556-3859
Secretary Phone Number:	556-3873
Email Address:	keith.king@uc.edu

Course Overview

Welcome to Mental Health!  As you are well aware, the topic of mental health is one in which many individuals feel uncomfortable discussing.  Images of delusional individuals talking to themselves, unruly state mental hospitals, and shock therapy often are the first images that appear in the layperson’s mind when asked about mental health.  Indeed, there is much negative stigma associated with mental health.  This is unfortunate.  Films such as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” haven’t helped to lift such stigma.

This course will explore the stigma of mental health as well as the history of mental health and mental health care in the U.S.  You will be introduced to the facts surrounding various mental health issues including: stress, aging and mental health, Alzheimer’s disease, mood disorders, suicide, schizophrenia, mental health treatments and factors which protect one against mental health problems.  You will also be given the unique opportunity to spend time reflecting on your own personal feelings, concerns, goals, and present life situations.

I will use a variety of teaching methods for this course to show the extent and importance of positive mental health in our lives.  Such teaching methods will include the use of journals, music, popular films, various readings, and class discussions.  You should walk away from this course with a more comprehensive understanding of what mental health is truly all about.  I will try to make the course exciting, challenging, and rewarding for you.  I firmly believe that if you approach this course with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, you will walk away with a newfound respect for mental health.
 

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
 

A) Explain the history of U.S. mental health care and the impact of deinstituionalization.

B) Identify at least five protective factors associated with positive mental health.

C) Identify at least five risk factors associated with mental health problems.

D) Evaluate one’s own mental health status and make positive changes as necessary.

E) Identify possible causes and treatments for mental health problems.

F) Identify community agencies/organizations that provide resources and services.

G) Value positive mental health.

Course Requirements
 
 

A. Summary/Reaction of “The Notebook”	100 points
B. Summary/Reaction of Selected Readings from “The Road Less Traveled”	100 points
C. Self-Reflection Journal	50 points
D. Quizzes (2 & 10 points each)	20 points
Total Score	270 points

Grading Scale

Your final score is based on a total of 270 points.
 

Letter Grade	Points	Percentage Range
A	250 - 270	92.5% - 100%
A-	242 - 249	89.5% - 92.4%
B+	234 - 241	86.5% - 89.4%
B	223 - 233	82.5% - 86.4%
B-	215 - 222	79.5% - 82.4%
C+	207 - 214	76.5% - 79.4%
C	196 - 206	72.5% - 76.4%
C-	188 - 195	69.5% - 72.4%
D+	180 - 187	66.5% - 69.4%
D	169 - 179	62.5% - 66.4%
D-	161 - 168	59.5% - 62.4%
F	000 - 160	00.0% - 59.4%

Note:   Five points per day will be deducted journals/papers turned in late.  Therefore, please be aware of due dates.
 

Self-Reflection Journal

Many individuals sprint through life without ever taking the time to stop and assess themselves.  Here is your chance to stop and assess yourself.  What is it that you would like to accomplish in life?  What are the things that you most cherish?  Are you happy with where you are presently?  How about where you are headed?  What makes you smile?  How would you like to be remembered?
For this assignment, I simply ask that you spend 15 minutes each night writing down your feelings from that day and answering different questions that I will provide for you.  More information will be provided in class regarding this assignment.

Content of Quizzes

Throughout this summer session, I will have two pop quizzes.  You will be able to use your notes to answer questions on these quizzes.  This is a simple way to reward you for coming to class and paying attention.

Reading Assignments and Summary/Reaction Papers

There are two assigned books for this course.  These books are filled with wonderful insights and illustrations into what life is truly about.  The two assigned books are:

1) The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
New York, NY, Warner Books Inc, 1996 (ISBN 0-446-60523-9)

2) The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
New York, NY, Simon & Schuster Inc, 1978 (ISBN 0-671-24086-2)

You are required to read The Notebook in its entirety and selected pages from The Road Less Traveled.  For each of these books, you will type up a summary and reaction paper discussing the main points of the book and your feelings/thoughts/insights related to its main points.  The paper requirements will be more fully discussed in class.

Some additional readings will be distributed in class.

A Personal Note

Dealing with mental health does not have to be a somber experience.  Please keep this in mind when talking and dealing with all individuals.  Maintain an open mind, be respectful, adopt a positive attitude, and look for the good in all things.  Also, don’t be afraid to smile and laugh at the humorous occurrences in our lives. It is indeed an interesting journey.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE*
 

Date	Topic
WEEK ONE
6/19	Introduction to Mental Health
6/20	What is Mental Health?  The History of U.S. Mental Health Care;Select Mental Health Research Topics; Debate Teams Formed
6/21	Mental Health and Aging; Neurological Communication; Deliriums and Dementias
6/22	Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease
6/23	Reading Assignment – The Notebook
WEEK TWO
6/26	Current U.S. Mental Health Care; Theories of Mental Health
6/27	An Introduction to Anxiety Disorders
6/28	Protecting Against and Treating Anxiety Disorders
6/29	Film – TBA The Notebook Summary/Reaction Due
6/30	Reading Assignment –The Road Less Traveled (pp. 1-80)
WEEK THREE
7/03	Self Reflection Assignment – Continuing Your Personal Reflection Journal;                Reading Assignment – The Road Less Traveled (pp. 81-184)
7/04	No Class – July 4th Holiday
7/05	Effectively Managing Stress; Maintaining Emotional Wellness
7/06	Major Depression
7/07	Protecting Against and Treating Depression; Preventing Suicidal Behaviors
WEEK FOUR
7/10	Film – “Back From Insanity” Current controversies in Mental Health The Road Less Traveled Summary/Reaction Due
7/11	Building a Sense of Connectiveness as a means to Promote Positive Mental Health
7/12	Self-Reflection Journal Due (7:30-9:30 AM)

*  The above schedule is subject to change due to any extenuating circumstances.
 

Self-Reflection Journal Requirements

It is truly unfortunate that we often do not take time out of our busy schedules to stop and think about what we are doing and where we want to be heading.   In our pursuits of acceptance, fortune and immediate gratification we frequently forget to consider our own basic emotional needs and therefore end up confused, unsatisfied, and disenchanted.

This assignment is more than simply a required journal entry for a college course.  It is your chance to stop and take an honest look at yourself.  What do you see?  How would you characterize yourself?  Do you have any goals?  If yes, do you see yourself accomplishing these goals?  Why or why not?  What is it that you would most like to accomplish in life?  What brings you happiness?  Sadness?  How do you truly feel about yourself right now?  When is the last time you cried?  Why?  When is the last time you felt “goosebumps” from something or someone?  What caused them?

For this assignment, you are required to spend 15 minutes each night writing down your feelings from that day and answering different questions that I will provide for you.   Please type up these feelings and reflections using single spacing with 1 ½ inch margins (12 font).  Type at least 1 complete page for each day.

The list of questions below will start you off for the next couple of days.  Throughout the course, I will continue to give you new questions to consider  Use these questions as guides to stimulate your thoughts.  Be sure to answer them but also feel free to jot down other thoughts or feelings that may enter your mind when considering these questions.  Be open and honest.  In this manner, you will learn more about yourself and hopefully grow from this experience.

Daily Questions to Consider

The following are just a few of the questions I will have you consider throughout this course:

Describe your present overall feelings for today.
Do you like yourself?
When you look at yourself what do you see?
How would you describe yourself?  How would you like to be described?
Do you feel that it is important to you to be accepted by others?  Why or why not?
How do you gain acceptance?
What is unique about yourself?
What would you most like to do?
What goals do you have?
What is it that you would most like to accomplish in life?
Do you see yourself accomplishing this? Why or why not?
Where do you think you are headed?
 
 

“The Notebook” Summary/Reaction Requirements For this assignment you are to type up a summary and reaction to The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.  This assignment is worth 100 points.  Make sure that your paper includes the following components: Title Page (should appear as follows) Your Name The Notebook Summary/Reaction Prepared for Dr. King Mental Health Issues Summary Use the word “SUMMARY” as a subheading to start your paper off. This summary should clearly describe the main points of the book? Provide an overview so that a person who has not read the book has a clear understanding of what it is about. The summary should be at least 2 complete typed pages (double-spaced). Reaction Use the word “REACTION” as a subheading to start your reaction segment off. The reaction should describe your personal reaction to this book. The reaction should be at least 3 complete typed pages (double-spaced). How does this book make you feel? What do you think about its main points? How do the main points in this book make you feel? Does this book give you a new and more personal understanding of the main topic/disease that Sparks describes?  Why or why not? Relate your feelings toward the book with what you have learned in class about this topic.  Do you have any personal experiences that you thought of when you read this book? Spelling and Grammar Please spell-check and proofread your paper. I will deduct points for grammar and spelling errors. Page numbers Please insert typed page numbers at the bottom center of each page (excluding the title page) Neatness Please turn in a paper that is neat in appearance. Please staple your paper together.

 
 

“The Road Less Traveled” Summary/Reaction Requirements For this assignment you are to type up a summary and reaction to pages 1-183 of The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck.  This assignment is worth 100 points.  Make sure that your paper includes the following components: Title Page (should appear as follows) Your Name The Notebook Summary/Reaction Prepared for Dr. King Mental Health Issues Summary Use the word “SUMMARY” as a subheading to start your paper off. This summary should clearly describe the main points of the book? Provide an overview so that a person who has not read the book has a clear understanding of what it is about. The summary should be at least 2 complete typed pages (double-spaced). Reaction Use the word “REACTION” as a subheading to start your reaction segment off. The reaction should describe your personal reaction to this book. The reaction should be at least 3 complete typed pages (double-spaced). Peck provides many insights into mental and emotional health.  What are some of these main points and what do you think about them? Which points do you find useful? What is most important to you in your life? What are some personal experiences that you have that relate to his points? How do the main points in his book make you feel? Does this book give you a new understanding of yourself?  Why or why not? How can you use what he discusses to improve your emotional well-being? What are your thoughts about love and building positive connections with others? How do you personally feel about true love, romantic love, and codependency? Spelling and Grammar  Please spell-check and proofread your paper. I will deduct points for grammar and spelling errors. Page numbers Please insert typed page numbers at the bottom center of each page (excluding the title page) Neatness Please turn in a paper that is neat in appearance. Please staple your paper together.

 
 

American Beauty In this class we will watch American Beauty.  Perhaps, you have seen this movie already.  But that is okay.  Because as you watch this movie in class, I would also like you to try to analyze and identify the many mental health issues that are raised. While you are watching this movie, keep these issues and questions in mind: The Roses There are several scenes in which roses are used (most often when Lester is thinking or dreaming about Angela) What do you believe the roses symbolize? The Characters There are seven “main” characters in this movie:  Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), Carolyn (Annette Benning), Jane (the daughter), Angela (Jane’s friend), Ricky Fitz (the neighbor boy), Ricky’s father, and Ricky’s mother. For each of these characters try to determine why he/she acts the way he/she does? What do you think is the “story” behind each person’s behavior? What coping mechanisms does each use to deal with life stressors? What about ego defense mechanisms? Which character is most superficial?  Which is the deepest? Which character most affects you personally? Which character do you most relate to?  Why? Enjoy the show!

 
 

Mental Health Questions  to Consider from American Beauty Choose the questions that most interest you and are of most benefit to you. The Roses There are several scenes in which roses are used (most often when Lester is thinking or dreaming about Angela).  Some of the scenes include: When Lester imagined the roses during the cheerleading half-time show When Lester dreamed of Angela lying in a bed of roses When Lester imagined kissing Angela and pulling a rose out of her mouth When Lester dreamed of Angela in a bath of roses What do you believe the roses symbolize?  Think about it.  What do they represent? The Characters Which character do you most relate to and  why? Lester  (Kevin Spacey – the husband/father) Why is he so unhappy?  So depressed? How did Lester deal with his unhappiness?  What are your thoughts about this? Are you depressed and unhappy with a present life situation? How might you relieve this depression and unhappiness? Towards the beginning of the film he goes into the kitchen with Jane, his daughter who is fed up with him, and asks her, “Janie, what happened?  We used to be pals.  What happened?” Relationships either get stronger or weaker.  They do not remain stagnant.  Has a relationship that you have with a family member weakened?   Why? What strategies could you use to strengthen that relationship?  Are those ways worth it? Carolyn (Annette Benning – the wife/mother) How would you describe Carolyn? What is her main drive? What is she most focused on accomplishing in her life? Do you believe that she sees the “big picture?” Oftentimes we fail to see the “big picture” and become stressed out with life’s trivial pursuits. Can you relate to this statement?  Do you feel that she is perfectionist? What are your thoughts and concerns about perfectionism?  Can this ever cause problems for a person? Do you feel that you are perfectionist?   Elaborate. Consider Carolyn’s comment to Jane after Jane’s cheerleading half-time routine: “Jane I am so proud of you.  You didn’t screw up once.” What do you think about this comment?  What does this tell about Carolyn?  What does this say about perfectionism? Jane  (the daughter) How would you best characterize Jane? What are her main concerns?  Do you think that she feels supported by her parents?  Why or why not? Does this cause a problem for her?  Do you think she is overlooked by her parents? How might this make her feel?  Have you ever been overlooked and ignored?  How did it make you feel? Why is Jane so interested in Ricky?  What do you think he provides or represents that she doesn’t have? Describe her relationship with her mother?  With her father?  With Angela? Can you relate to her feelings in any of these relationships?  How? Angela  (Jane’s friend) Why does Angela lie about her sexual experiences?  What do you feel she is lacking or looking for? Have you ever tried to lie to yourself (i.e., tell yourself that everything is wonderful when it isn’t, try to convince yourself that you are something or someone that you are not)?  Think about this and discuss it. How would you best characterize Angela?  Why do you think she behaves the way she does? She states, “There is nothing worse in life than being ordinary.” What do you think about this statement?  Agree, disagree?  Why? You know, everyone has unique and beautiful characteristics of their own?  What are some of your unique characteristics, attributes, and traits? Ricky Fitz (the neighbor boy) What are your overall feelings of and reactions to Ricky?  What do think about him? How would you characterize Ricky?  He seems very emotionally deep. How do you think the continuous physical abuse that he has endured from his father affected him? How can child abuse affect an individual?  Why do you think he videotapes people and things? In one scene, Ricky and Jane stop and watch a funeral procession of cars.  Obviously, you have at one time or another seen a similar procession of cars.  But have you ever truly thought about what that deceased person might have been about?  What his or her story was?  How he or she touched all of the people in that procession?  What he or she wanted to be remembered for.  It is something to consider.  How would you like to be most remembered?  How have you touched others’ lives? After the procession Ricky tells Jane that he once saw and videotaped a homeless person who had died. Jane asked him why he would tape such a thing and he replied, “When you see something like that it’s like God is looking right at you. . . and if you’re careful you can look right back.” “And what do you seek,” Jane asks. “Beauty,” he replies. What do you think about this? One of the most powerful scenes with Ricky and Jane is when they are watching the film of the paper blowing about.  As he watches the paper blow, Ricky tells Jane, “Video is a poor excuse, I know.  But it helps me remember.  I need to remember.  Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel I can’t take it . . .and my heart is going to cave in.” What are your thoughts about this statement?  What do you find beautiful?  Sunsets, sunrises, rain, snow, people, children, etc.?  Can you remember a “magical” and beautiful moment” that you’ve had?  It is important to remember.  Do you remember? Ricky’s Father Why was Ricky’s father so filled with anger?  Where did his anger toward homosexuals derive from? What are your thoughts about individuals taking their anger and aggression out against particular groups of people (i.e., homosexuals, different races, different ethnicities, different religions)? How did Ricky’s father try to use ego defense mechanisms to deal with his stress? Ricky’s Mother Why do you think she acts the way she does? What mental health issues/problems does she experience and face? Does this have something to do with her husband?  Possible abuse?  What do you think? Many wives who have been consistently abused by their husbands become quite meek and frightened. Oftentimes, abusive husbands threaten to hurt them or kill them if they tell of their abuse.  What do you think about this?  How might a physically abused wife get out of that situation? Do you think that Ricky’s mother will ever receive help?  Why or why not?

Recommended Readings inMental Health

Insightful and Interesting Stories
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
Celebrisi’s Journey by David Rounds
 Joshua by Joseph Girzone
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
Sati by Christopher Pike
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

Self-Help/Instructional
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
Further Along the Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

Assistance in Seeing the “Big Picture”
Chicken Soup for the Soul  by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hanson
A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hanson

True Stories
When Rabbit Howls by Trudi Chase and the Troops
Sybil

Professional Resources
Behavior Disorders of Childhood (4th ed.) by Rita Wicks-Nelson
Depression:  The Mood Disease by Francis Mark Mondimore
Why People Kill Themselves by David Lester

Students' Comments About This Course