School Programs -- MIRA

High School Awareness Project

FACT:	More has been learned about the brain in the last five years than in the previous two hundred years.
FACT:	Most Michigan high school Health and Psychology teachers were trained longer than five years ago and are asked to use text books that are older than five years old.
FACT:	Ignorance of the nature of mental illness leads to stigma and unfair treatment
FACT:	All public high school students in Michigan are required to take a course in General Health, which, in many schools, includes a unit on Mental Health. Most Michigan high schools also offer elective courses in Psychology.

MIRA’s High School Awareness Project is designed to provide the most up-to-date material on the brain and mental illness that is available to all Michigan high school teachers of Health and Psychology and to counselors.

In 1999, MIRA staff compiled packets of teaching materials that contain the latest available information about the brain and mental illness, which they obtained from the Michigan Department of Mental Health, Oakland County Community Mental Health Services, The Dana Brain Research Foundation, The National Institute on Drug and Alcohol Abuse and the American Psychiatric Association.

An excerpt of The Dana Classroom Sourcebook of Brain Science: Resources for Secondary and Post-Secondary Teachers and Students is available in PDF format by clicking here. A copy of Brain Connections is also available in PDF format by clicking here.

Most of the teachers and counselors received these materials at five conferences MIRA conducted throughout the State. They were in-serviced in the use of these materials by MIRA staff and MIRA Board member, Dr. Gerard Teachman, former high school psychology teacher. Dr. Teachman also spoke to numerous classes of high school students.

By June, 2003, MIRA staff has delivered over seven hundred and fifty packets to teachers and counselors in over four hundred schools in Michigan. In June, 2003, MIRA received a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield that allowed them to continue and expand the School Awareness Program. If you would like to receive a MIRA High School Awareness Project packet, please complete the on-line request form or contact us at 800-896-MIRA.

For further information regarding brain related disorders, please check out our understanding section.

We wish to thank the numerous educators and students who have taken the time to let us know their thoughts on this valuable program. Their responses have been extremely encouraging:

“As an instructor that was trained in the late 1960’s, I find myself much more comfortable teaching what I understand… I am glad I was approached by MIRA with “an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Psychology teacher, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

“The materials are wonderful… The in-service presentation was priceless!… Great use of funding.”

Counselor, Detroit, Michigan

“As a result of MIRA, I have learned many things about drugs and the brain…The MIRA program is very beneficial in providing information and seeking cures.”

Student, Southfield, Michigan

“I appreciate your effort to be so supportive! Thank You!!”

Psychology teacher, Owosso, Michigan

“Excellent resource materials!…School staffs need in-service in preventive mental health at all levels, K-12.”

Counselor, Detroit, Michigan