Lesson Plans - Explore Bethlem
This resource has been developed to allow teachers and students to explore some of the issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing. This might be appropriate in a range of lessons from Citizenship to English.
The activities below are suggestions of ways in which the material could be used. Teachers – and students – will also have their own ideas. We would also be interested in hearing about them and sharing good practice.
Power Point Presentations
Discussion questions
- What do you understand by ‘mental health’?
- What do you understand by ‘mental illness’?
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1 in 4 people will suffer from mental illness at some pointing their lives.
- What percentage of your class would this represent?
- Does this statistic surprise you?
- What ordinary life events may be stressful for anyone?
- If someone were ill for a longer period – either physically or mentally – what effect would it have on his or her everyday life?
- What effect would it have on their family and those around them?
- Think about how you would react. Would you find it easier to discuss with your friends a close relative being ill with a long term physical rather than a mental illness? Explain your answer.
- People who are treated by mental health services are now referred to as service users rather than patients. Why do you think this is? What do you think about this change?
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Many conditions are treated in the community rather than by a stay in hospital. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of these two courses of action for:
- the person being treated
- those around them
- society as a whole
Patient discussion questions
- How old was the child?
- What was the cause of insanity?
- What evidence is there that her illness might relate to childbirth?
- What other life changes / stresses might cause similar difficulties?
Are there any possible physical causes? - Any evidence of a drugged state i.e. thought dead.
- What would happen to the baby while Ada was in hospital? What other effects on family members?
- What happened to Ada?
- Where was Hilda from? What does that tell you about admissions to Bethlem?
- What were her symptoms? What effect might this have on others?
- What does she think is the cause of her illness?
- What effect do you think Hilda’s inability to speak had on those around her?
- How might it affect how others see her?
- Are there any issues around food?
- Did she come back again?
- Are there any issues around food?
- What were her symptoms?
- What does she fear?
- What comments do the notes make about her behaviour?
- What was the outcome?
- What seems to have brought about her illness? Give as much information as you can.
- What information is given about her general health and appearance?
- Where is she from? What does that tell you about Bethlem’s admissions policy?
- What comments are made about her behaviour? What effect do you think this would have had on others?
- What was the outcome of her case?
- Is there any evidence of previous illness?
- Is there any evidence of physical difficulty?
- What other symptoms are mentioned?
- How does her physical state change?
- What was her relationship with other patients?
- What treatments were used?
- What happened in August?
- What do you think ‘domestic anxiety’ means?
- Describe the ongoing problems with food?
- What effect do you think Frances’s reluctance to speak had on those around her? How might it affect how others see her?
- What happens at the end of February? Do you think this was deliberate?
- Where was she transferred from?
- What was the cause of her illness? How might it have led her to the workhouse?
- What happened to her?
- What evidence can you find that Thomas was unwell? Include any physical symptoms.
- What treatment did he receive?
- Why do you think he was kept in the padded room for a short time?
- What happens with food and eating?
- Is there any evidence that Thomas recovers?
- Where does he come from? What does that tell you about Bethlem’s admissions policy?
- Describe his symptoms?
- Is there any evidence that drugs or alcohol might have played a role?
- What type of hallucinations does he experience? How do you think these would make him feel? How might it affect others around him and their view of him?
- What do you notice about his length of stay?
- What evidence of symptoms can you find?
- How does he regard himself? Does he recognise that he is ill? (people not always aware of own condition)
- What happens to William?
- Was this his first attack?
- Describe the process of his admission.
- Does he recognise that he is ill?
- What happens to Hermann?
What seems to have caused William’s illness?
Is there anything about his job and general lifestyle that you think may have contributed to his illness?
What does he think is happening?
What happened on 13 August?
Is this the first time Edwin has been ill?
Is there any reason why his age might be a contributing factor? (difficult time, stage of life)
What beliefs does Edwin hold about himself?
What happens when Edwin is transferred to Witley?