Debunking Mental Health Myths Through Scientific Evidence

Combating low quality information with scientific evidence is a challenge faced by most human services professionals. Posters can be used to provide easy-to-digest facts in a visually appealing way, as an aid to challenging flawed information. The objective of this assignment is to communicate persuasively and succinctly to a general audience. Create a poster debunking a myth about a mental health disorder.

Preparation

Choose one of the following:

  • Bad parenting causes psychological disorders. Focus on anxiety disorders or schizophrenia.
  • Depression is caused by personal weakness. Focus on major depressive disorder or bipolar disorders.
  • Electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT) is cruel or barbaric. Focus on major depressive disorder or bipolar disorders.
  • Or choose another myth you know about one of the psychological disorders.

Find one flawed source of information on the internet. To find a flawed source, look for one with a substantial number of errors.

  • Read what the textbook says about the myth.
  • Use the myth you chose and use it as your search word/phrase.
    • If you don’t see a flawed source on the first page of results, skip to the 3rd page of results or further.
  • Look for sources that are not accurate based on the information in your textbook.
  • Tips for finding flawed sources:
    • Scroll through your social media feeds.
    • Scroll through your results and look for sources that are not:
      • .gov websites.
      • News or press websites.

In the Capella library, find one peer-reviewed journal article about the mental health disorder.

For help finding flawed sources and peer-reviewed articles for this assignment, you may want to complete the library instruction activity:

Instructions

Create a poster in MS Word that includes:

  • Identify the chosen myth about mental health or a specific disorder.
    • Identify the flawed source of information related to the myth.
  • Describe the psychological disorder, including the key symptoms.
  • Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological health.
    • Describe the mechanism and/or actions in the brain that lead to the symptoms of the disorder.
  • Explain the research you found regarding the disorder.
    • Brief mention of findings and the population the results can be generalized to.
  • Explain the actions of a medication used to treat the psychological disorder.
    • Describe the biological details of how it works.
  • Provide an alternative explanation based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims in the overall message.

Use visual elements that support the main points.

Submission Requirements

  • Written communication:Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
  • Resources:Use a minimum of three sources: your flawed source, your textbook, and one peer-reviewed journal article
  • APA formatting:References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
  • Length:One single-spaced, typed page.
  • Font and font size:Times New Roman, 12 point.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:

  • Competency 1: Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
    • Describe a psychological disorder.
    • Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological health.
    • Explain the actions of a medication used to treat the psychological disorder.
  • Competency 2: Construct alternative explanations based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims.

Preparation

Choose one of the following topics:

  • Bad parenting causes psychological disorders
    (Focus on anxiety disorders or schizophrenia.)

  • Depression is caused by personal weakness
    (Focus on major depressive disorder or bipolar disorders.)

  • Electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT) is cruel or barbaric
    (Focus on major depressive disorder or bipolar disorders.)

  • Or, choose another myth about psychological disorders you are familiar with.

Find a flawed source online by searching for your myth:

  • Use your myth as the search phrase.

  • If nothing shows up on the first page, skip to the 3rd page or later.

  • Look for inaccurate sources, avoiding .gov and major news sites.

  • Tip: Check social media or informal blogs!

You will also need a peer-reviewed journal article from the Capella Library.

For extra help, complete the Searching Capella Library for Myth Busting Assignment activity.


Instructions

Create a poster in MS Word that includes:

  • Chosen Myth: Clearly state the myth about mental health.

  • Flawed Source: Identify and cite the flawed source.

  • Psychological Disorder:

    • Name and describe the disorder, including key symptoms.

  • Mind-Body Connection:

    • Explain how mental and physical health are connected.

  • Mechanism in the Brain:

    • Describe how brain actions or dysfunction lead to the disorder’s symptoms.

  • Research Evidence:

    • Summarize peer-reviewed findings and explain which population the research applies to.

  • Medication Details:

    • Briefly describe a medication used for treatment, including how it works biologically.

  • Alternative Explanation:

    • Use scientific evidence to counter the behavioral myths or flawed claims.

Visuals:
Make sure your poster includes graphics, charts, or design elements to support your information!


Submission Requirements

  • Length: One single-spaced page.

  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.

  • Sources: Minimum of three (your flawed source, the textbook, and one peer-reviewed journal article).

  • APA Format: In-text citations and reference list must follow APA guidelines.

  • Professional Writing: Use correct grammar, punctuation, and academic tone.


Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Pick a Myth

  • Choose one of the three myths provided or another you are familiar with.

Step 2: Find a Flawed Source

  • Search Google using the myth as your keyword.

  • Avoid scholarly or official websites. Look for blogs, informal articles, or social media posts.

Step 3: Find a Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

  • Go to the Capella Library.

  • Search for scholarly articles on the mental health disorder related to your myth.

Step 4: Review Your Textbook

  • Check your textbook to understand what it says about the disorder and why the myth is incorrect.

Step 5: Design Your Poster

  • Use MS Word.

  • Organize the sections: Myth, Flawed Source, Disorder Description, Mind-Body Connection, Brain Mechanisms, Research Evidence, Medication, and Alternative Explanation.

  • Add visuals like graphs, images, or icons to make it engaging and easy to read.

Step 6: Cite Your Sources

  • Use APA format for all citations and the reference list at the bottom of the poster.

Step 7: Final Check

  • Make sure your poster fits on one single-spaced page.

  • Proofread carefully.

  • Submit on time!

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