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Mental illness has a lot of power when it is left in the shadows and not discussed openly. Take that power away by defining and discussing the more common mental illnesses that affect teens such as:

1. Anxiety
2. Depression
3. Bipolar disorder
4. Eating disorders – anorexia and bulimia
5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
6. Self-Injury
7. Suicide

The goal isn’t to diagnose; it is to equip students and encourage them to open up and talk to someone if they are dealing with mental illness and to be a resource for a friend or family member who is struggling with it. Mental illness isn’t a life sentence; help is available and hope is possible.

This will be a difficult topic to cover, but the goal is to get two things across:

1. Jesus doesn't stigmatize mental illness; he was sent to meet all human need with good news, hope, and freedom.
2.To those who suffer: you are loved, you are valued, and you are not alone.

The night will conclude with prayer stations where each student will have quiet time to think and pray for a person in their life suffering with a mental illness, as well as time to pray for their own mental health. You are loved, you are valued, and you are not alone.

This Resource Includes:
• Complete teaching manuscript (Word file)
• PowerPoint presentation file
• Parent letter explaining the topic (Word file)
• Links to printable infographics about mental illnesses (Word file)
• Printable instructions for prayer stations (pdf files)