Introduction: Conversations for Change is a free resource for those who work with young people. It contains comprehensive facilitator’s guides to five group activities which challenge stigma and discrimination, and generate safe conversations about mental distress. The resource aims to…
Download the support notes and watch the videos:
These short videos will help you feel prepared to run this resource. The first video (9 minutes) covers the main messages sitting behind Conversations for Change. The second video (7 minutes) discusses challenging conversations that may come up when you’re facilitating the resource and gives you tips and structure on how to manage these.
The third video is especially for those facilitators who would like to share their experience of mental distress with their group, and informs you on how to do this in a way that helps reduce stigma.
While each activity in Conversations for Change has a facilitator guide with all the information you need, we have also included a list of further reading options to help you extend your knowledge and encourage your curiosity. The further reading lists are great places to direct active participants who might like to learn more.
Conversations for Change is about challenging stigma and discrimination related to mental distress, and increasing social inclusion. It has a strong help-seeking message, however it is not a suicide prevention programme. We believe that all of our community needs to be informed about the signs that indicate someone is considering suicide
Required Activity 1: Start Conversations for Change with this activity. You will brainstorm a group agreement and a list of places young people can go for help. Then an activity encourages participants to put themselves in another’s shoes to consider…
Required Activity 2: An activity that helps challenge unhelpful attitudes to mental illness by looking at the impact of statements about people who experience mental distress. Participants are introduced to myth-busting information, personal insights and the terms stigma and discrimination.…
Pick and Mix Activity 1: An activity to examine the ways in which what we see as mental illness/distress symptoms can be related to everyday experiences. It includes listening to the story of Peter, who experienced psychosis after drug use. Download…
Pick and Mix Activity 2: An activity to consider the ways culture can impact on experiences of mental distress — in particular, food and body issues. Participants watch or act a play about aliens that provides an ‘outsider’ view. A…
Pick and Mix Activity 3: Recommended ending activity An activity that introduces the Māori model of health Te Whare Tapa Whā and includes listening to young New Zealanders sharing their mental health journeys. A worksheet encourages participants to look at…
Using one of the three evaluation measures options may be of interest to you if:
Online survey (Option one)
Using their phones or a computer, ask prticipants to complete the pre-survey before undertaking any of the activities of the resource (even the day before is an option).
Ask participants to complete the post-survey after undertaking all activities of the resource.
Facilitator to fill in additional information.
Manual print survey (Option two)
Email your results to rethink@mindandbody.co.nz using the results form, or by scanning in all surveys and emailing. Please make a note on the top of surveys where and when they were filled out (e.g. Lakes High School, Year 11 Health, July 18)
© 2018 reTHiNK - all rights reserved
