Overview
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.
o 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:
o Scroll through your social media feeds.
o 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:
• Searching Capella Library for Myth Busting AssignmentLinks to an external site..
Instructions
Create a poster in MS Word that includes:
• Identify the chosen myth about mental health or a specific disorder.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o Refer to Academic WriterLinks to an external site. for guidance in using proper APA style. See the Evidence and APALinks to an external site. section of the Writing Center for instructions on accessing and using Academic Writer.
• 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.
o Describe a psychological disorder.
o Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological health.
o Explain the actions of a medication used to treat the psychological disorder.
• Competency 2: Construct alternative explanations based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims.
o Provide an alternative explanation based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims in the overall message.
• Competency 4: Expose flawed sources of information.
o Identify a flawed source of information related to a myth.
o Explain peer-reviewed evidence.
• Competency 5: Write for purpose in a well organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
o Incorporate visuals that support the overall message.
o Use citations and references.
o Address assignment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.

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

Step 1: Choose Your Myth and Disorder

Pick one myth from the list or a credible one you know:
- Bad parenting causes psychological disorders → Anxiety disorders or schizophrenia
- Depression is caused by personal weakness → Major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is cruel → Major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
Identify the specific mental health disorder you will focus on for your poster.

👉 Tutor tip: Choosing a disorder you understand well from your textbook will make research and explanation easier.

Step 2: Identify a Flawed Source

Search the internet using the myth phrase (e.g., “Depression caused by personal weakness”)
Find a source that is clearly inaccurate or misleading:
- Avoid .gov websites or reputable news outlets
- Look for errors in facts, logic, or scientific understanding
Record the source citation for your poster

Step 3: Describe the Psychological Disorder

Include key symptoms and diagnostic criteria from your textbook or DSM-5
Example bullet points:
- Major depressive disorder: persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep
- Anxiety disorder: excessive worry, restlessness, tension, sleep disturbances
Relate mind-body interactions: how symptoms manifest physically (e.g., increased cortisol in anxiety, sleep disruption in depression)

Step 4: Explain Mechanisms in the Brain

Describe biological or neurological factors underlying the disorder:
- Neurotransmitters involved (e.g., serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine)
- Brain regions affected (e.g., amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus)
Keep it concise and clear for general audiences

Step 5: Include Research Evidence

Find one peer-reviewed article on the disorder
Summarize findings briefly:
- Population studied (e.g., adults, adolescents)
- Key results relevant to the myth or disorder
Highlight scientific evidence that debunks the myth

Step 6: Explain Medication Actions

Include at least one medication commonly used for the disorder
Describe how it works biologically:
- Example: SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft to improve mood in depression
Relate the medication’s effect to symptom relief

Step 7: Provide an Alternative Explanation

Use behavioral claims from the flawed source as a starting point
Explain why the claim is inaccurate
Present a scientifically supported alternative explanation
- Example: Depression is influenced by biological, environmental, and psychological factors—not personal weakness

Step 8: Design Your Poster in MS Word

Visual elements: charts, diagrams, or images to support points
Layout tips:
- One page, single-spaced
- Times New Roman, 12-point font
- Bullets for key points, 6–8 lines per section
- Keep text concise, visually appealing, and easy to read
Include captions for visuals if needed

Step 9: References and APA Formatting

Minimum three sources:
1. Flawed internet source
2. Course textbook
3. Peer-reviewed journal article
Cite in APA 7th edition both in-text and on a reference list
Use Academic Writer or the Writing Center for APA guidance

Debunking Myths About Mental Health Disorders