Every Art Opening Minds Class is built around short films and guided discussion—but not every Class has the same goal. To help you find the right fit, AOM organizes Classes into three types: Mental Health Training, Supporting Our Own Mental Health, and Building Empathy for Others.
Each type creates a different kind of experience for your Participants. This article will walk you through what each one offers and when you might choose it.
A Quick Look at the Three Types
Mental Health Training Classes help Participants learn about specific mental health conditions—like depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. They're informational, grounded in clinical sources, and designed to build awareness and reduce stigma.
Supporting Our Own Mental Health Classes guide Participants inward. They create space for personal reflection, self-awareness, and wellness-building—without requiring anyone to share more than they're comfortable with.
Building Empathy for Others Classes center the lived experiences of others. Through powerful films and facilitated discussion, they invite Participants to step into someone else's story and consider perspectives they may not have encountered before.
When to Use Mental Health Training
Choose a Mental Health Training Class when your goal is to teach. These Classes work well when you want Participants to walk away with a clearer understanding of what a mental health condition is, how it shows up, and where to find support.
This type is a great fit when:
- You're introducing a topic your group may not know much about—like PTSD, eating disorders, or substance use disorder
- You want to tie your Class to an awareness month or campus health initiative
- You're working with a group that benefits from structured, knowledge-based learning
- You want to pair films with clinical resources from trusted sources like the APA
- You're a new Instructor and want a Class that feels grounded and predictable
Example scenario: A residence life coordinator wants to help RAs recognize signs of depression in their residents. A "Building Awareness About Depression" Class gives the team shared language, credible resources, and film-based stories that illustrate what depression can look like in real life.
Example scenario: A nursing instructor is planning a module on mental health literacy. A Mental Health Training Class gives students foundational knowledge they can carry into clinical practice.
When to Use Supporting Our Own Mental Health
Choose a Supporting Our Own Mental Health Class when your goal is to help Participants reflect on their own experiences. These Classes gently invite self-awareness and personal connection—without asking anyone to disclose or diagnose.
This type is a great fit when:
- You want Participants to slow down and check in with themselves
- You're working with a group that may be navigating stress, burnout, or seasonal challenges
- You want to create a supportive space that feels personal but not clinical
- You're looking for a Class that includes wellness-building activities like breathwork or body scans
- You want your group to develop language for how they're feeling—not just what conditions exist
Example scenario: A faculty member notices that students seem drained midway through the semester. A "Feeling Sad in Winter" or "Am I Enough?" Class gives the group permission to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their own wellbeing.
Example scenario: A student affairs team wants to offer a staff wellness session during a professional development day. A Supporting Our Own Mental Health Class creates a meaningful, low-pressure experience that honors what everyone is carrying.
When to Use Building Empathy for Others
Choose a Building Empathy for Others Class when your goal is to help Participants understand and connect with experiences different from their own. These Classes use films that center specific identities, communities, or life experiences and invite thoughtful, perspective-shifting conversation.
This type is a great fit when:
- You want to open dialogue around identity, culture, or lived experience
- You're working with a diverse group and want to build connection across difference
- You want to explore topics like military experience, cultural stigma, neurodivergence, or grief
- You're looking for something that sparks deep discussion and emotional engagement
- You want to complement diversity, equity, and inclusion programming with a film-based experience
Example scenario: A multicultural center is hosting a program during Veterans Day week. A Class featuring a film about military mental health invites the campus community to engage with stories they might not otherwise hear.
Example scenario: An honors program wants to broaden students' perspectives on mental health beyond their own experience. A Building Empathy Class featuring stories about cultural stigma or identity-based challenges opens a door to understanding that readings alone may not provide.
What If I'm Not Sure?
That's completely okay. Here are a few questions that can help you decide:
- "Do I want my group to learn about a condition?" → Mental Health Training
- "Do I want my group to reflect on their own wellbeing?" → Supporting Our Own Mental Health
- "Do I want my group to connect with someone else's story?" → Building Empathy for Others
You can also mix types across a series. Many Instructors start with a Mental Health Training Class to build a knowledge base, follow with a Supporting Our Own Mental Health Class to make it personal, and close with a Building Empathy Class to widen the lens. (For more on this approach, see How to Plan a Series of AOM Classes.)
And remember—every AOM Class is designed to work as a standalone experience. There's no wrong place to start.
Tips & Notes
- Use the Class Type filter on the Classes page to browse by type
- You can preview any Class before you book it—watch the films, review the slides, and see if it fits your goals
- If you're planning a series, try combining one Class from each type for a well-rounded experience
- Still unsure? Reach out to the AOM team—we're always happy to help you find the right Class
