These assignments will ask you to share about yourself and your personal opinions on assigned topics. It is not expected that you will disclose any personal information that you are not comfortable sharing with either the professor or the group. The amount of personal information that you share is at your personal discretion and the amount or level of detail will not impact your grade either negatively nor positively. The objective of these assignments is to explore the depth and amount of critical thinking you exhibit in the discussion of your beliefs and ideas. You should support your beliefs and ideas with evidenced based professionally peer reviewed sources.
Grading for these assignments will be based on thoughtful consideration of the assigned topic, evidenced based peer reviewed support of personal and professional experiences, and attention to technical writing skills (i. e. spelling, grammar, use of capitalization), organization, and clarity. Your discussions should be cohesive and your ideas should flow smoothly and be well edited.
Assignment #1 – Reflection Paper on Personal and Professional Beliefs, Values, and Reactions surrounding Mental Health (50-points)
Students will write a 750-1000 words (Not including title and reference page) APA style paper that reflects on the following content:
1. Reflect on your personal beliefs about mental illness. What has influenced and shaped these beliefs, including stigma. How have your beliefs about mental illness changed over time?
2. Reflect upon how media, family, and other sources reporting of stigmatizing portrayals, images, and content have shaped your beliefs about people with mental health conditions.
3. What are your affective and cognitive reactions when you meet someone diagnosed with a mental health condition? Include how this is the same of different in various arenas of your life (personal, professional, family/friends/peers).
4. What do you hope to gain during this class that will better prepare you as a professional social worker who will work directly or indirectly with individuals who are diagnosed with a mental illness?
