Life Inside My Mind
Image Via simonandschuster.com
Life Inside My Mind edited by Jessica Burkhart
Reviewed by Jordan Hanlon, Justis Esquer, Ashley Fragoso, Christopher Garcia, Carissa Gonzales
Review:
Life Inside My Mind, edited by Jessica Burkhart, is an anthology of thirty-one essays written by thirty-one different authors, many of whom work within the realm of Young Adult literature. Presented in several formats, including personal essay, narrative, and poetry, each of the authors involved in this collection takes advantage of their moment in the text to share their stories, their struggles, and their advice for their young readers. Throughout these thirty-one essays, these authors share stories of their own struggle with mild to severe mental illness, as well as stories about what it is like to love and care for someone who is experiencing mental illness. This survey of mental illnesses is by no means exhaustive, but it is wide, and illnesses discussed include depression, anxiety and panic disorders, OCD, ADHD, bipolar depression, drug addiction, postpartum depression, and Alzheimer's.
Due to the sensitive nature of these topics, in a classroom setting, teachers would do well to include a list of trigger warnings before beginning instruction on this book. The authors of these essays, in their effort to share true-to-life accounts of their real struggles with mental illness, discuss sensitive topics in detail throughout the text, such as self-harm, eating disorders, suicide, and things of that nature. These authors do not spare the reader the specific details of their darkest moments, thoughts, and actions, and while this serves to communicate to the reader that they are not alone in their darkest moments, certain students would benefit from the option to opt-out of some of the more detailed accounts of mental illness within this collection.
Beyond a simple sharing of experience, this collection also serves to dispel certain misconceptions and stigmas surrounding the mental health conversation. Many of the authors place a significant focus on communicating to their young readers that there are ways to manage mental illness and that there is nothing to be ashamed of. In their discussion of coping mechanisms that have assisted them in their struggle, these authors seek to dispel the stigma surrounding both medication and therapy. Simply by sharing their experiences with the trial and error process of medication and therapy, as well as the shame they felt for seeking help, the authors of these essays work through that shame and fear to give the reader a message of hope. As this is a collection of essays, this book contains a wide variety of experiences that reflect the unique experiences that those who suffer from mental illnesses have. Thanks to this variety of unique stories, this book has the potential to be relatable to anyone who reads it, even people who do not personally struggle with mental illness. Despite the differences between each of the stories, each essay in this novel is connected by the common denominator of the book’s ultimate message: mental illness is more common than we think, it is nothing to be ashamed of, and it is always better to ask for help than to live in suffering. Ultimately, this important collection of experience and advice could function both inside and outside the classroom as a jumping-off point for critical conversations surrounding mental health.
Images Via simonandschuster.com
Biography of Editor:
Jessica Burkhart is a thirty-four-year-old author from Tennessee who specializes in young adult literature. She is best known for her work on the Canterwood Crest novel series. Growing up, Burkhart was heavily involved in horseback riding which bled into her series revolving around schoolgirls who partake in equestrian competitions and navigate their young lives. Further inspiration for the series came from a horseback riding accident she has in middle school which led to scoliosis and having to give up the sport. She used this negativity to channel it into her own narratives about girls who love to compete in her beloved hobby. According to her Audible bio, she graduated from Florida State University in 2009 and sold her first novel while attending school at the age of nineteen as part of a book deal. Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles serves as her debut into the editing world after spending most of her life as an author. The topic of mental health became of interest for Burkhart once she started going towards her own struggle with anxiety and depression. “I didn’t want to open a book or keep track of new releases or chat with my friends about the huge plot twist in the latest installment in our favorite series” (Burkart). However, even after the release of her book, she still felt a weight on her when it came to reading and getting back into her hobbies. Slowly, Burkhart was able to cope with her mental health and be able to live a new version of her life where her issues do not affect her life.
Instructional Resources:
1. https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/follow-these-steps-ease-student-anxiety-your-classroom1809.html
This is an anxiety toolbox workbooks in which educators can present within their classrooms in order to teach about anxiety and help students cope with circumstances caused by anxiety
2. https://youtu.be/DhlRgwdDc-E
This youtube video is helpful for educators, students, and parents to view in order to learn about what OCD is and the common myths surrounding the psychiatric condition.
3. https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Resources%20and%20Publications/Handouts/Families%20and%20Educators/bipolar.pdf
This resource is helpful to educators who are wanting to learn about how Bipolar Disorder and the way that it affects students while attending school. It also allows for school staff, in general, to learn about how to cater to students with BD.
4. https://www.blurtitout.org/blurt-podcast/\
This is a podcast that all students, educators, and parents can use in order to learn about depression and ways in which one can cope with it. The podcast addresses self-care and compassion.
5. https://mentalhealthdeltadivision.com/interactive-games/
This site provides interactive games, toolkits, apps, websites, and videos for both adults and youth regarding an array of mental health conditions.
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0uXjL2IdeU
This YouTube video showcases and details how to write a personal narrative in an easily accessible and effective manner. The creator of the video also has more resources related to various writing styles and types.
7. https://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/socratic-seminars
This website acts as a resource and strategy guide for utilizing Socratic seminars in classrooms. The website as a whole also contains other related resources and other teaching strategies.
8. https://mentalhealthyfit.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiA78aNBhAlEiwA7B76p2r3fjy3cjPftllmC5z1OMUH9VGiT_XR_rv0kqvXfgP2RhGtjR-RVxoCVucQAvD_BwE
This charity was created to assist in ending the stigma against mental health. Their website provides resources, films, educational plans, and more all concerning mental health and creating a more destigmatized world.
9. https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/
This website details and provides workshops on expressivist writing and other creative projects as well as a guide for creating expressivist-based works.
10. https://iajw.org/free-journaling-resources/
This website provides a variety of techniques, resources, prompts, and more for journaling. In providing these resources the website seeks to teach people the benefits of journaling and how it can help with many aspects of life.
Instructional Activity: Socratic Seminar, using Parlay
Preview:
California Common Core Standards:
Following 11-12th grade standards, due to the mature nature of the context.
1. Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. (Shown through research in presentation.)
2. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence conveying a clear and distinct perspective and a logical argument, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks. Use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. (Shown through presenting in the gallery walk, and through conversations in a seminar.)
3. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively
4. Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed
Resources and Presentation:
Parlay: Parlay is an instructional technology platform that makes it easy for teachers to facilitate, measure, and assess student-driven discussions – in person and online. This will help the instructor facilitate the conversation without having to physically speak. Parlay works best in seminars by having the class split up into two groups, so the discussion is more controlled. One group will be talking out loud, while the other is responding to the discussion in Parlay. This way everyone is actively listening and participating, even while not speaking out loud. This also allows students to participate without having to speak in front of the entire class–which may be a better option for some students. Also a great resource for online and distance learning.
Some Questions to Ask During Seminar:
- What is social stigma, and how does it apply to mental health?
- How does society view mental and physical health differently? Do you think the two should be addressed in the same manner? Why or why not?
- Would you be cautious about sharing a mental health issue with a potential employer? Why or why not? What about a physical health issue? Do you think it's necessary to share these details?
- Some celebrities have come to the forefront and shared about their mental health. Do you think this helps break down the social stigma surrounding mental illness? Why or why not?
- Should society change its view of mental health? If so, how can you help to make this happen?
Some Mental Health topic examples from Life Inside My Mind:
Pieces of Literature to Relate to the Unit:
Instructional Plan:
Bibliography:
MacGregor, Amanda. “With Her Nose Stuck in a Book, a Guest Post by Jessica Burkhart.” School Library Journal, 3 Oct. 2019, https://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2019/10/with-her-nose-stuck-in-a-book-a-guest-post-by-jessica-burkhart/.
Biography of Editor:
Jessica Burkhart is a thirty-four-year-old author from Tennessee who specializes in young adult literature. She is best known for her work on the Canterwood Crest novel series. Growing up, Burkhart was heavily involved in horseback riding which bled into her series revolving around schoolgirls who partake in equestrian competitions and navigate their young lives. Further inspiration for the series came from a horseback riding accident she has in middle school which led to scoliosis and having to give up the sport. She used this negativity to channel it into her own narratives about girls who love to compete in her beloved hobby. According to her Audible bio, she graduated from Florida State University in 2009 and sold her first novel while attending school at the age of nineteen as part of a book deal. Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles serves as her debut into the editing world after spending most of her life as an author. The topic of mental health became of interest for Burkhart once she started going towards her own struggle with anxiety and depression. “I didn’t want to open a book or keep track of new releases or chat with my friends about the huge plot twist in the latest installment in our favorite series” (Burkart). However, even after the release of her book, she still felt a weight on her when it came to reading and getting back into her hobbies. Slowly, Burkhart was able to cope with her mental health and be able to live a new version of her life where her issues do not affect her life.
Instructional Resources:
1. https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/follow-these-steps-ease-student-anxiety-your-classroom1809.html
This is an anxiety toolbox workbooks in which educators can present within their classrooms in order to teach about anxiety and help students cope with circumstances caused by anxiety
2. https://youtu.be/DhlRgwdDc-E
This youtube video is helpful for educators, students, and parents to view in order to learn about what OCD is and the common myths surrounding the psychiatric condition.
3. https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Resources%20and%20Publications/Handouts/Families%20and%20Educators/bipolar.pdf
This resource is helpful to educators who are wanting to learn about how Bipolar Disorder and the way that it affects students while attending school. It also allows for school staff, in general, to learn about how to cater to students with BD.
4. https://www.blurtitout.org/blurt-podcast/\
This is a podcast that all students, educators, and parents can use in order to learn about depression and ways in which one can cope with it. The podcast addresses self-care and compassion.
5. https://mentalhealthdeltadivision.com/interactive-games/
This site provides interactive games, toolkits, apps, websites, and videos for both adults and youth regarding an array of mental health conditions.
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0uXjL2IdeU
This YouTube video showcases and details how to write a personal narrative in an easily accessible and effective manner. The creator of the video also has more resources related to various writing styles and types.
7. https://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/socratic-seminars
This website acts as a resource and strategy guide for utilizing Socratic seminars in classrooms. The website as a whole also contains other related resources and other teaching strategies.
8. https://mentalhealthyfit.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiA78aNBhAlEiwA7B76p2r3fjy3cjPftllmC5z1OMUH9VGiT_XR_rv0kqvXfgP2RhGtjR-RVxoCVucQAvD_BwE
This charity was created to assist in ending the stigma against mental health. Their website provides resources, films, educational plans, and more all concerning mental health and creating a more destigmatized world.
9. https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/
This website details and provides workshops on expressivist writing and other creative projects as well as a guide for creating expressivist-based works.
10. https://iajw.org/free-journaling-resources/
This website provides a variety of techniques, resources, prompts, and more for journaling. In providing these resources the website seeks to teach people the benefits of journaling and how it can help with many aspects of life.
Instructional Activity: Socratic Seminar, using Parlay
Preview:
- Groups will be split up and each assigned a different mental or physical disability. Then the class would participate in a gallery walk, which is like a presentation but has a lot less pressure and comfortability— compared to a standard presentation in front of the entire class. A gallery walk invites a more comfortable setting to present, create a conversation, and is less scripted. Students will take notes on each disability, and write down any questions they may have. [To make this relevant to the course, each group will also connect their mental health or disability aspect to one of the discussed books/characters/themes of the course.]
- Next, the class will have a Socratic seminar, with an open discussion provided with prompted questions–all related to mental health struggles and disabilities.
- The goal of this activity is to involve all students, create a safe classroom environment, educate them on the importance of advocating and supporting all aspects of mental health, and end the stigma surrounding mental health problems.
California Common Core Standards:
Following 11-12th grade standards, due to the mature nature of the context.
1. Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. (Shown through research in presentation.)
2. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence conveying a clear and distinct perspective and a logical argument, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks. Use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. (Shown through presenting in the gallery walk, and through conversations in a seminar.)
3. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively
4. Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed
Resources and Presentation:
Parlay: Parlay is an instructional technology platform that makes it easy for teachers to facilitate, measure, and assess student-driven discussions – in person and online. This will help the instructor facilitate the conversation without having to physically speak. Parlay works best in seminars by having the class split up into two groups, so the discussion is more controlled. One group will be talking out loud, while the other is responding to the discussion in Parlay. This way everyone is actively listening and participating, even while not speaking out loud. This also allows students to participate without having to speak in front of the entire class–which may be a better option for some students. Also a great resource for online and distance learning.
Some Questions to Ask During Seminar:
- What is social stigma, and how does it apply to mental health?
- How does society view mental and physical health differently? Do you think the two should be addressed in the same manner? Why or why not?
- Would you be cautious about sharing a mental health issue with a potential employer? Why or why not? What about a physical health issue? Do you think it's necessary to share these details?
- Some celebrities have come to the forefront and shared about their mental health. Do you think this helps break down the social stigma surrounding mental illness? Why or why not?
- Should society change its view of mental health? If so, how can you help to make this happen?
Some Mental Health topic examples from Life Inside My Mind:
- PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Addiction, Trauma, etc.
Pieces of Literature to Relate to the Unit:
- All Quiet on the Western Front
- Death of a Salesman
- The Great Gatsby
- Beloved
- The Awakening
- Native Son
Instructional Plan:
- Students will be assigned in groups
- Groups will be assigned a mental health topic
- Groups will research and create a presentation on the assigned topic
- Gallery walk and presentations
- Prompted Socratic seminar prep
- Socratic seminar and Discussion
- Reflection
Bibliography:
MacGregor, Amanda. “With Her Nose Stuck in a Book, a Guest Post by Jessica Burkhart.” School Library Journal, 3 Oct. 2019, https://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2019/10/with-her-nose-stuck-in-a-book-a-guest-post-by-jessica-burkhart/.
