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Purpose: With this activity, the participants will be able to see that what we think of as being normal is a stereotype and that this stereotype helps promote the stigma around mental health because humans then compares those who do not appear as normal. It has the youth interact with their idea of normal and can see how this idea can keep the stigma around mental health.
 
Age: Can be done with children 12 years and older
 
Time frame: 30 minutes
 
Environment: To be done in a classroom setting. 

What is Normal?

Preparation: Scrap paper for participants to write down their ideas, white board and markers for the white board. On the white board, ensure the word normal is written in the middle in big letters. 
Instructions: Have the participants break into groups and discuss what they feel the idea of normal looks like in a person. Give the participants 10 minutes to come up with has many ideas as possible. Once the students are done, come together as a group and write on the white board all the ideas of what normal is. 
Discussion Questions
  1. Be sure to discuss how the idea of normal is a stereotype we have created and is used to compare people with mental illness. Use this time to ask the students how they felt once they learn this.
  2. Where did they get this idea of normal?
  3. How do they think this idea of normal supports stigma on mental illness?
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