Celebrity Selfie

Requirements

• 10 minutes of class time
• student internet access

How it Works

Offer the following optional assignment to the class (for extra credit if applicable):

• Search online for the story of a well-known person who shared about their own experience with a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder.
  • Here are some recent examples from BuzzFeed.
• Write a one-paragraph summary of their story – a verbal “selfie.”
• Read the paragraph aloud to the class, and lead a discussion about it.

Benefits

• Addresses misconceptions and stigma about mental illness head on, with memorable examples that resonate with students.
• Encourages students to investigate on their own, and to advocate to reduce stigma.