Everyday Mental Health with Doctor Pruss

Video Series Outline: Everyday Mental Health – Understanding and Responding to Common Social Challenges

Organization:

This document has four parts:

  1. Overview: Objectives, Initial Project, And Measures of Success with a summary of how everything is tied together.
  2. Episode Outline,
  3. Sample Scripts,
  4. Competitive Space

§ Series Overview

Introduction

The Everyday Mental Health video series promotes mental health awareness by exploring common social and personal challenges in an accessible, upbeat way. Each episode tackles a specific scenario, helping viewers recognize how mental health concerns can appear in daily life. These videos are informational and reflective, not therapeutic, designed to provide engaging overviews that encourage viewers to consider mental health in a non-intimidating way.

Objectives for the Video Series

  1. Create Relatable Content
    Develop short, relatable videos (3-5 minutes each) that help viewers understand how mental health influences everyday experiences and responses. Each episode will focus on subtle mental health impacts within various contexts, sparking self-reflection and awareness rather than providing clinical treatment. Viewers who need additional support will be encouraged to seek professional help.
  2. Expand Audience Reach
    Grow awareness of the videos through partnerships with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), YouTube promotion, social media campaigns, and targeted outreach such as TikTok shorts and email newsletters.
  3. Encourage Deeper Engagement
    Transition the audience from the free video series to interactive group sessions, including 30-minute free group meetings, paid 1-hour sessions, and eventually individualized client services.

Initial Project: Proof-of-Concept Video (1st Quarter 2025)

To kick off the series, a proof-of-concept video will be developed with the following structure:

  • Intro (1 minute): Welcome viewers, introduce the series, and set a friendly, engaging tone.
  • Main Content (3 minutes): Provide insights and tips related to one specific mental health topic.
  • Outro (1 minute): Summarize key points, encourage viewers to explore the series, and remind them to seek professional support.

Measures of Success: 2025 Specific Goals

To measure the impact and sustainability of the series, the following financial and engagement goals are set:

  • 1,000 YouTube Subscribers
  • Two Free Tele-Group Sessions per Week with 20 attendees each (30 minutes, Free)
  • One Paid Tele-Group Sessions per Week with 10 attndees (1 hour, $40 per session)
  • Five New Local Clients
  • Test Online Sales of digital content or resources (Books, Audio-Books, Seminars-Events)

Summary

By following these best practices, Everyday Mental Health can produce informative, approachable, and supportive videos, providing meaningful value to a broad audience without overwhelming them. Most importantly, the series lays a strong foundation for new revenue streams by:

  1. Increasing Hourly Income Through Group Sessions: Offering online group sessions allows for a higher earning potential per hour than traditional one-on-one sessions while remaining accessible and affordable for participants, regardless of insurance or private pay status.
  2. Enhancing Client Acquisition for In-Person Sessions: The series serves as a gateway for viewers to transition from free video content to traditional in-person therapy, supporting client growth in the local practice.
  3. Expanding Geographic Reach for Remote Clients: By incorporating tele-sessions, Everyday Mental Health can reach clients outside the immediate geographic area, providing support to a wider audience while maintaining compliance with prescription limitations as necessary.

Together, these strategies position Everyday Mental Health as a flexible, scalable mental health resource, enabling both broader impact and sustainable growth for the practice.

§ Episode Outline

Each episode of Everyday Mental Health will address a specific theme related to mental health in daily life.

  1. School & Education: Mental Health in Learning Environments
  • Focus: Mental health impacts on school life, including test anxiety, social pressure, and motivation.
  • Key Topics: Anxiety, social pressure, organization, imposter syndrome.
  • Goal: Help viewers recognize mental health’s influence on educational experiences and identify coping strategies.
  1. Building Self-Discipline: Study Habits & Personal Organization
  • Focus: Challenges in staying organized and focused.
  • Key Topics: Procrastination, perfectionism, managing overwhelm.
  • Goal: Offer tips for improving focus and developing self-discipline.
  1. Independence & Identity: Moving Out and Building a Home
  • Focus: Mental health aspects of becoming independent and creating a personal space.
  • Key Topics: Loneliness, financial management, finding comfort in solitude.
  • Goal: Normalize the struggles of independence and offer support for the transition.
  1. Relationships & Responsibilities: Balancing Bills and Bonds
  • Focus: Navigating mental health challenges in financial and relationship management.
  • Key Topics: Financial stress, communication, boundary-setting.
  • Goal: Explore how mental health impacts relationships and responsibilities.
  1. Workplace Wellness: Developing Healthy Work Habits
  • Focus: Mental health in the workplace, including productivity and social dynamics.
  • Key Topics: Burnout, work-life balance, workplace anxiety.
  • Goal: Provide strategies for managing mental health at work.
  1. Leisure & Balance: Finding Joy Without Overindulgence
  • Focus: Healthy habits for relaxation and avoiding escapism.
  • Key Topics: Screen time, social withdrawal, balancing fun and responsibility.
  • Goal: Discuss the mental health benefits of balanced leisure activities.
  1. Commitment & Change: Mental Health in Getting Married
  • Focus: Mental health considerations when entering a life partnership.
  • Key Topics: Commitment anxiety, relationship adjustments.
  • Goal: Normalize pre-wedding anxieties and mental adjustments in marriage.
  1. Marriage Dynamics: Navigating Married Life Together
  • Focus: The mental health aspects of adapting to life with a spouse.
  • Key Topics: Communication, managing expectations, staying connected.
  • Goal: Encourage healthy communication and mental well-being in marriage.
  1. Parenthood & Personal Identity: Raising Children
  • Focus: Mental health challenges in balancing parenthood with personal identity.
  • Key Topics: Parent burnout, self-care, identity shifts.
  • Goal: Emphasize self-care and identity preservation for parents.
  1. Role Reversal: Caring for Aging Parents
  • Focus: Emotional and mental challenges of caring for aging parents.
  • Key Topics: Grief, support systems, setting boundaries.
  • Goal: Address mental health struggles of caretaking and offer coping tips.
  1. Facing Health Changes: Dealing with Illness and New Limitations
  • Focus: Mental health adaptation to illness or physical limitations.
  • Key Topics: Grief over lost abilities, resilience, self-compassion.
  • Goal: Provide reassurance and coping strategies for health changes.
  1. Acceptance & Self-Compassion: Embracing Unchangeable Aspects of Ourselves
  • Focus: Mental health related to self-acceptance and unchangeable traits.
  • Key Topics: Body image, racial and gender identity, societal pressure.
  • Goal: Encourage self-compassion and acceptance of inherent traits.
  1. Personal Growth: Dealing with Doubt, Confidence, and Emotional Expression
  • Focus: Navigating self-doubt, building confidence, and healthy emotional expression.
  • Key Topics: Self-esteem, anger management, sadness.
  • Goal: Normalize self-doubt and offer tips for self-compassion.
  1. Navigating Social Situations: Community and Connection
  • Focus: The role of mental health in social settings and connections.
  • Key Topics: Social anxiety, loneliness, need for community.
  • Goal: Help viewers feel more comfortable in social groups.
  1. Coping with Control & Triggers: Navigating Situations Beyond Your Influence
  • Focus: Managing mental health when faced with uncontrollable situations.
  • Key Topics: Triggers, control, resilience.
  • Goal: Provide resilience-building strategies for overwhelming situations.

Tone & Style

  • Tone: Friendly, upbeat, and non-judgmental. The goal is to keep the conversation light and approachable while offering meaningful insights.
  • Format: Short, easily digestible videos (3-5 minutes each) with a conversational style, as if talking with a friend or mentor.
  • Visual Style: Simple animations, relatable characters, and real-life scenarios to make complex topics accessible and universal.

§ Sample Scripts

Ψ Intro Segment Script for Everyday Mental Health Series

[Opening Visual: Friendly, upbeat graphics with light background music (hip hop, rap, or rock beat).**]

Narrator:
“Welcome to Everyday Mental Health! This free video series makes mental health awareness accessible, engaging, and relevant. We’ll explore real-life situations and offer practical ways to handle common challenges—whether it’s managing stress at work, navigating tricky social situations, or simply understanding ourselves better.”

[Visual Transition: Dynamic clips showing different scenarios: a student studying, a couple talking, someone caring for an elderly parent, etc.**]

Narrator:
“In this series, we’ll cover topics that touch on mental health in everyday life—challenges we all face but may not talk about, like dealing with anxiety at school, finding work-life balance, and managing relationships. Each topic has a code name, so you can easily revisit themes as we dive deeper in future episodes.”

[Visual: Friendly professionals (social workers, pediatricians, educators) greeting the camera.**]

Narrator:
“You’ll hear from experts, too! Social workers, pediatricians, and educators will share relatable insights to help you navigate these common challenges.”

[Background music softens slightly.]

Narrator:
“Remember, this series is informational, not a replacement for professional therapy. If you’re facing serious challenges, we encourage you to seek help from a licensed mental health professional.”

[Visual: Friendly pop-up with a “Subscribe” button and notification bell icon.**]

Narrator:
“Ready to take small steps toward a better, more balanced life? Subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss an episode!”

Ψ Instructional Segment: Sample Content in a 3-Minute Episode Format

Hook (15-20 seconds)

Narrator:
“Did you know that over 40 million adults experience anxiety, yet most don’t know simple ways to manage it? What if a few small techniques could make a big difference in how you handle stress?”

Brief Context/Why It Matters (30-45 seconds)

Narrator:
“Stress and anxiety aren’t just personal challenges; they affect our health, our relationships, and even our job performance. When left unchecked, they can build up, impacting every area of life. By understanding mental health in everyday situations, we can take practical steps to improve our well-being.”

Key Points/Content (1-1.5 minutes)

Narrator:
“Here are a couple of quick tips to try when dealing with anxiety. First, deep breathing. When you feel overwhelmed, pause and take a few deep breaths—it helps reset your body’s stress response. Another tip is to identify your triggers. By recognizing what sets off your anxiety, you can take steps to manage or even avoid those situations when possible.”

Quick Conclusion and Call to Action (15-20 seconds)

Narrator:
“Remember, managing stress isn’t about eliminating it entirely; it’s about finding healthy ways to cope. Give these tips a try, and if you’re interested in more ideas, check out our other videos in the series!”

Ψ Post-Lesson Segment (Not Part of the 3-Minute Episode)

[End Screen: Calm background with soft music and overlay text with options for further engagement.**]

Narrator:
“Thank you for watching! Everyday Mental Health is just the beginning of your journey. If you’d like to dive deeper, sign up for our monthly newsletter for more tips, recommended readings, and mental health resources. We also offer live Q&A sessions and group discussions to explore these topics in a supportive environment.”

§ Competitive Space

Analyzing existing mental health content provides valuable insights into what resonates with viewers. Here’s a selection of effective videos from popular channels, each offering a unique approach to making mental health topics accessible, engaging, and practical.

Similar Video Examples

  1. Depression and Relationship Difficulties Explained by Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
    • Channel: The Counseling Channel
    • Length: 5-6 minutes
    • Overview: This video explores how depression affects relationships and demonstrates how Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) can help. It covers techniques for managing relationship issues caused by depression, focusing on practical insights into EFT’s approach.
    • Why It Works: The video is informative without being overwhelming, providing a focused introduction to EFT techniques and making therapeutic concepts accessible.
  2. Medical Minute: Understanding Mental Health and Depression as You Age
    • Channel: Norton Healthcare
    • Length: ~1 minute
    • Overview: This ultra-short video addresses mental health challenges specific to older adults, particularly the signs and impact of depression as people age. The “Medical Minute” format offers a quick, accessible overview with minimal jargon.
    • Why It Works: The brevity of the video makes it approachable for viewers who may feel overwhelmed by longer content. It provides essential information in a digestible format, making it ideal for raising awareness in a short time.
  3. Coping Skills for Anxiety or Depression | How to Process Emotions
    • Channel: Therapy in a Nutshell
    • Length: 4-6 minutes
    • Overview: Therapist Emma McAdam presents practical emotion-processing techniques for managing anxiety and depression. The video is part of a series offering step-by-step strategies that viewers can immediately apply in their lives.
    • Why It Works: Emma’s calm, friendly tone and practical advice make complex techniques feel simple and achievable. Her focus on actionable tips creates a helpful “toolkit” for viewers.
  4. Top 5 Signs of High-Functioning Depression
    • Channel: Dr. Julie Smith
    • Length: 2-4 minutes
    • Overview: This concise video introduces viewers to high-functioning depression, a condition that can go unnoticed due to outward signs of “normal” functioning. Dr. Julie uses a direct, engaging approach to describe symptoms, making the topic easy to understand.
    • Why It Works: Dr. Julie’s approachable tone feels like friendly advice rather than a clinical diagnosis, which makes the topic less daunting. Her concise format is ideal for social media, where viewers expect short, impactful content.
  5. Why Do I Feel So Anxious All the Time?
    • Channel: The School of Life
    • Length: 4-6 minutes
    • Overview: This animated video explores anxiety from a philosophical perspective, encouraging viewers to consider underlying causes rather than focusing solely on symptoms. The approach is reflective, aiming to normalize anxiety and prompt self-reflection.
    • Why It Works: The School of Life’s introspective narration and visually engaging animation make complex concepts approachable. The tone is gentle and thought-provoking, encouraging viewers to explore their feelings without judgment.
  6. 3 Easy Steps to Stop Overthinking
    • Channel: Kati Morton
    • Length: 5-8 minutes
    • Overview: Kati Morton, a licensed therapist, breaks down three specific techniques for managing overthinking. Her approach is practical and direct, offering easy-to-implement steps that viewers can try immediately.
    • Why It Works: Kati’s conversational style makes her advice feel relatable and accessible. By focusing on actionable steps, she gives viewers a sense of empowerment over their mental health.
  7. Managing Anxiety in Islam | 3 Powerful Islamic Mindfulness Techniques
    • Channel: Mindful Muslim
    • Length: 5-6 minutes
    • Overview: This video provides mental health advice rooted in Islamic mindfulness practices, offering viewers culturally relevant techniques for managing anxiety. The content is both informative and spiritually aligned, creating a supportive space for Muslim audiences.
    • Why It Works: The integration of cultural and spiritual elements makes the video especially relatable to a specific audience. This approach demonstrates how mental health advice can be tailored to diverse cultural backgrounds.
  8. The Surprising Benefits of Boredom
    • Channel: BBC Reel
    • Length: 3-4 minutes
    • Overview: BBC Reel’s documentary-style video explores the positive aspects of boredom, encouraging viewers to reconsider their relationship with this often negative experience. The video combines high-quality visuals with insights on the psychological benefits of downtime.
    • Why It Works: The storytelling approach is engaging and visually appealing, making psychological concepts accessible to a broad audience. The video reframes a common experience (boredom) in a positive light, encouraging self-reflection.

Key Insights and Best Practices

From analyzing these videos, several consistent best practices emerge that could guide the Everyday Mental Health series:

  • Concise Content: Short videos (1-8 minutes) keep viewers engaged and prevent information overload. Each video focuses on a single concept, making it easy for viewers to understand and retain the key message.
  • Engaging Visuals: Channels like Psych2Go and The School of Life use animations to make complex mental health concepts feel friendly and approachable. This visual support enhances understanding and retention.
  • Actionable Advice: Viewers value practical tips they can try right away. By providing easy-to-implement techniques, videos empower viewers to take small steps toward mental well-being.
  • Friendly Tone: A conversational, empathetic tone helps viewers feel supported and understood. This approach makes the content feel less clinical and more like advice from a friend.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Content that acknowledges cultural perspectives can make mental health advice more accessible to diverse audiences. This helps viewers feel seen and understood in ways that resonate with their values and background.

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