Drugs and Mental Health: Impact on the Brain

Jaylene Amaro

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Drugs and Mental Health: Impact on the Brain

Understand drugs' effects on mental health

This lesson introduces the connection between drug use and mental health. Students will watch an informational video, participate in a class discussion, and complete an activity to understand how drugs can affect the brain and emotions. This lesson is important as it helps students understand the potential risks of drug use and encourages them to make healthy choices.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Understand drugs' effects on mental health

Materials

Printed Discussion Questions, Worksheet, Video - How Do Drugs Affect the Brain?, Post-it Notes, and Pens

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Briefly introduce the topic of drugs and mental health.
Ask students what they know about how drugs can impact mental health.
Explain that the lesson will involve watching a video and participating in activities to explore this topic further, but in simpler terms.

Step 2

Video Viewing

10 mins

Play the video How Do Drugs Affect the Brain? (5 mins 5 secs).
After the video, ask students to jot down their initial thoughts and reactions on post-it notes.

Step 3

Class Discussion

15 mins

Facilitate a class discussion using the printed discussion questions from the attachment.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and observations from the video.
Guide the discussion to cover basic points about how drugs can change brain communication and affect emotions and behavior.

Step 4

Activity: Brain and Drug Interaction

15 mins

Distribute the simplified worksheet to students.
Have students work individually or in pairs to complete the worksheet.
The worksheet will include basic questions about how different drugs can affect the brain and emotions.

Step 5

Group Reflection

5 mins

Bring the class back together for a group reflection.
Ask students to share what they learned from the worksheet activity and how their understanding of the relationship between drugs and mental health has changed.

Step 6

Closure

5 mins

Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson.
Highlight the importance of making healthy choices and avoiding drugs.
Encourage students to talk to a trusted adult if they have any questions or concerns about drugs or mental health.

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Discussion

Class Discussion

This discussion will help students reflect on the content of the video and understand in simple terms how drugs can affect the brain and emotions.

How do drugs affect the brain's communication?

Use simple language to discuss how drugs can change the way brain cells talk to each other.

How can drugs change how a person feels or acts?

Discuss basic changes like feeling sad, angry, or not themselves.

Why is it important to avoid using drugs?

Encourage students to think about making healthy choices to keep their brain and body safe.

Worksheet

Brain and Drug Interaction

This simplified worksheet will help students understand the basic effects of drugs on the brain and emotions.

How do drugs get into the brain?

Think about how a drug enters the body and travels to the brain.

What can drugs do to brain cells?

Explain simply how drugs might change the way brain cells work.

How can using drugs change how you feel?

Consider changes in emotions like feeling happy, sad, or angry.

Why is it important to take care of your brain?

Think about making healthy choices to protect your brain.