Can sexual identity lead to depression?
Strand 3: Individual and Community Health
- Outcome 5.6 A student analyses attitudes, behaviours and consequences related to health issues affecting young people
SLA
- Mental health
- Help – seeking behaviours
- Sexual health
- Sexual feelings
SLT
- Analyses how sexual attitudes, behaviours and sexuality are influenced by gender expectations and assumptions

KLA Integration
English – (reading an article)

Skill Outcomes
- Decision making
- Communication

Rationale
During adolescence, teenagers are experiencing and exploring various types of sexual feelings. It is important for students to acknowledge and appreciate the different types of sexuality. Homosexual adolescences may develop a mental disorder such as depression though out their coming out stage. Individuality is also important for students to understand. Everyone is different and with respect, homosexuals will feel comfortable and will have a stable mental health.

Scope of task
1. Firstly, write the heading ‘Can sexual identity lead to depression’ on the whiteboard. Under the heading draw a line down the centre. Write two headings ‘slang words’ and ‘proper words’ for the terminology of sexuality. Students are to write words under both headings.
2. Students will participate in an activity called ‘continuum’. Students are to stand in the front of the room. Ask students the following questions on sexuality. Ask students to move to one of the displayed cards to reflect on their attitude – ‘agree’, ‘disagree’ or ‘unsure’. It is important to discuss the issues raised by students and impress on them that they will not be judged for their opinions. Remind students that they can change their minds at any time throughout the activity. 3. Hand out a worksheet called ‘defining sexuality – your personal opinion’ for students to fill out.
4. Students will read an article on a homosexual teenager named Josh who was diagnosed with depression.
5. Students will fill out the response worksheet on Josh’s article. Discuss the questions with the class.

Continuum cards













Questions (continuum)
1. Do you reckon homosexuals are born that way?
2. If a guy prefers hanging out with his guy friends, does that mean he is gay
3. If a girl looks at another girl, is she a lesbian?
4. What is the typical image of a gay and lesbian?
5. If your friend was homosexual, would you still be friends?
6. Do homosexuals become socially isolated in society?
7. Do homosexual males get physically abused for their sexuality?
8. Do you think it’s hard for a homosexual teenager to seek help?

Worksheets
Defining Sexuality - Your personal opinion



















Growing Up as a Gay Jehovah - Response sheet



















The article - Growing Up as a Gay Jehovah
http://www.freeminds.org/stories/growingupgay.htm

Reason for inclusion
The aim of this task is to develop the students’ understanding and awareness of how sexuality can lead to a mental disorder, such as depression. Homosexuality isn’t seen apart of the norm in society. The activity ‘continuum’ is generalized, so the students are not being personalised and can easily make a decision and share their opinions freely. The associated questions are designed to explore students’ understanding and acknowledge their own concerns, attitudes and beliefs of homosexual people and stereotypes. Students explore the relationship between homosexuality and a mental disorder while reading and discussing the article. The article ‘Growing Up as a gay Jehovah explores how the community perceptions, assumptions and expectations can play an important role in increases an individual’s mental health.