Am I Normal? Teens and Emotional Health 2008
Distributed by Human Relations Media, 41 Kensico Drive, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549; 800-431-2050
Produced by Anson Schloat and John G. Young
Director n/a
DVD, color, 20 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Child Development, Adolescence
Date Entered: 12/08/2008
Reviewed by Debra Ennen, Maple River Schools, Mapleton, MNHuman Relations Media has provided teens with yet another great learning opportunity. This DVD opens with a Menu including play, chapter selection and about HRM. The chapter selection is important because a teacher could just choose to play the segment relevant to the current issue being experienced by an individual student or use the entire video with an entire class. Choosing Play brings you to students explaining their concerns about high school. Authority is provided by Dr. Carrie King, Clinical Psychologist who explains that teens experience great hormonal changes causing extreme emotions and great societal pressures. Chapters include Anxiety and Stress narrated by student Hannah, Sadness and Depression featuring Annie, Sadness and Depression II featuring Alex and Anger and Rage featuring Emory. Some of their difficulties include problems with peers, pressure to perform at school, taking on too many activities, lack of friends and arguments with parents. There is a nice mix of races and genders amongst the teens featured. Healthy Techniques is the last chapter, outlining the typical suggestions of physical activity, journaling, a healthy diet, and speaking with a parent or other caring adult. Segments are short enough not to induce boredom and long enough to include plenty of relevant information.
The binder and the DVD contain teaching materials. These include student activities with a pre and post test, essay quotes and research topics. Facts Sheets are found at the back of the binder about Warning Signs of Suicide, Tips for Managing Anger, Active Listening and others. It concludes with a bibliography and additional resources.