Educational Media Reviews Online

Packaged in a three ring binder with media holder, this kit contains a DVD and a set of Teacher’s Resources including learning objectives, program summary, student activities including a pre and post test, role plays and fact sheets.

The DVD is very student accessible with the majority being narrated by Zach Wheeler who appears to be a high school student. It is fast-paced with no one speaker being on long enough for the viewer to lose interest. Four students suffering from depression are featured in very brief segments regarding their feelings, diagnoses and recovery. Authority is lent by Ekwenzi Gray, PhD. Clinical Psychologist at Howard University and Deborah Gatins, Phd., Clinical Psychologist. Both explain different types of disorder and treatments options, while Dr. Gray explains his own experiences with depression as well. Everything is very straight forward with terms both shown on the screen and explained in appropriate detail, neither too little nor too much information.

The variety of scenes in the DVD create interest and the transitions being a bit like an electrical shock are fun and are designed to emulate what it feels like to be depressed. There were some quality issues with the DVD “stuttering” a bit here and there especially during those transition scenes and during one student interview.