Covering Mental Health
![Playing Mad Woman Playing Mad Woman](https://citizen-u.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Pretty-Crazy-Girl-204x300.jpg)
Overview
Students explore how the press brings awareness to problems and helps support reform efforts through analysis of primary sources on the mental health reform movement of the mid-nineteenth century spearheaded by activist Dorothea Dix and journalist Nellie Bly. After, students create their own front-page news story about a mental health issue facing Americans today.
Related Resources
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Journalism in Action! Educator Guides
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Playing Mad Woman
The Sun New York [N.Y.]) 14 Oct. 1887 -
Primary Source Spotlight: Dorothea Dix
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Today in History: Nellie Bly Circles the Globe
Grade
High School, Middle School
Subjects
Civics, English Language Arts, Social Studies
Length
200-240 minutes
Topics
Dorothea Dix, health, investigative reporting, journalism, mental health, mental health reform, Nellie Bly, press
Author
PBS NewsHour Extra