Mental Blocks about Mental Illness

Doctors have learned so much in the past few decades about how to help those with mental health issues; my own family has benefited from several of these advances. Visit this health site that discusses many conditions and treatments that we have been discussing in class (see menu at left of the site's first page), and comment on what you learn. How can we help society understand these very common types of conditions better so that the negative stigma that surrounds them diminishes?

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/mental-behavioral-health/?msc=A18428

Constitution Day: "We the People of the United States in order to form a more perfect union. . ."

Monday, September 17th was Constitution Day. Go to the link to refer to the articles and sections of the Constitution. What line, article, or section do you feel is the most important part of our Constitution? http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_transcript.html

RULES and LAWS: Helpful or Harmful?

Identify a school rule or a law that you find is either particularly helpful or particularly harmful in some way. Explain. What about age-related laws or rules such as with driving, voting, joining the military, etc.?

September 11th

Today is September 11th, a day that impacts Americans in a myriad of ways. On 9/11, I was teaching in a high school in Middlesex, the New Jersey county with supposedly the MOST NYC commuters. Many students in my school lost someone: a neighbor, a friend, a family member. How has this event changed what it means to be American? Do you think that because of this event, your life has somehow been affected either specifically or tangentially? Explain.

Cuckoo's Nest: The "Combine" and other Themes

Like Ken Kesey, artists and writers use their work to comment on issues which concern them in society. Kesey seemed to be concerned with issues like the abuse of POWER, the mistreatment and shaming of people who are WEAK or DIFFERENT, the loss of INDIVIDUALITY, the problems created by what some consider PROGRESS. Which of these issues concerns you the most? Who is responsible? What are some possible solutions?

The Psychedelic 60's

Author Ken Kesey is well-known for his role--both personal and literary-- in the cultural revolution in America that was "the 60's." Mrs. O was born to hippie artists in 1966. Yeah, I'm that old. :-) Check out this 60's link and all the interesting info on it. Look on the site and comment in any way you would like based on what you learn about Ken Kesey or any other interesting info about the time period. http://www.lib.virginia.edu/small/exhibits/sixties/

Cuckoo's Nest: Is McMurphy an American Hero?

McMurphy's character from Cuckoo's Nest seems to express what many of you are saying America is all about in your blogs. For example, you have used words and phrases such as: never giving up, fighting for rights, revolution without fear, encouraging what is different, being strong-minded and proud, not letting others dictate what happiness should mean. . .Is McMurphy an American Hero then? Why or why not?