This 12-part live face-to-face class consists of me showing images and video, asking questions to students, explaining important concepts, and the class asking their questions, commenting and sharing ideas as they come up. 
Learning and Fun will be supported by Kahoot quizzes, collaborative use of whiteboard, and some Brain Games
This is an adaptation of Dr. Daniel Amen's ("America's most famous psychiatrist") successful course: "Brain Thrive by 25" (videos and materials used with permission. - As a member of Dr. Amen's teaching team, I am licensed to teach his courses and very familiar with the material. Dr. Amen is my own brain health teacher and mentor and has certified me as a Certified Brain Health Professional and Licensed Brain Trainer.)
We show colorful brain SPECT images that illustrate how a healthy brain differs from a brain that is damaged or struggles for different reasons and we explain what can be done - with nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle modification, exercise and/or medicine, if needed.
All about the Brain. Why Mental Health Issues are really Brain Struggles. 
Applied Neuroscience supported with SPECT Brain imaging.
Very impressive Images of Brains damaged by junk food, traumatic brain injuries, drugs, alcohol. Info about we can support our Brain and Mental Health by eating better, changing our thoughts, managing stress, exercising and more.
Discussions are encouraged.

About 70% of the time is allotted to me presenting the topic matter, in part by showing video clips of the original course materials, in part explaining the material deeper and adding important bits. The rest is allotted to questions, further explanations, and interactions.
Optional research exercises. Certificate of achievement upon completion.

This class can be a transformative experience. Many learners reported feeling better about themselves, understanding themselves and others better who struggle with mental/brain health issues, feeling more positive about their future and clearer about why they need to do the things that help them, and why they need to take care of their brain and body. 

Parents commented that their children are more likely to trust their advice and follow their suggestion for what to eat and what supplements to take.
Learners will have practical strategies on how help themselves with struggles and when and how to ask for help.

Topics:
>> Why the brain is important for making decisions
>> How the brain develops over childhood and youth
>> How the brain looks (with color images of SPECT scans of normal and unhealthy brains)
>> How the brain works and how this applies to your everyday life
>> How to create a successful future and stay away from drugs and alcohol
>> How to approach mental health issues, how to avoid them, how to help them, and when & how to ask for help if necessary
>> Why - and how we need to care for our brain, love our brain, ourselves, and our bodies

Class Breakdown:

Part 1 - Brain Basics: Just Imagine!
What is our brain? How does it look? What is its consistency? What’s in it? Different kinds of brain imaging (SPECT, MRI, fMRI, CT) Different cell types. Why is our brain important and why do we need to learn as much as we can about it. What are the consequences of having a great brain and a bad brain?
You can change your brain and change your life. 
Homework: Make your own brain (Activity)

Part 2 - Grow up! Brain Development
How the brain develops throughout childhood and young adulthood. How to apply brain information to your life and specific contexts.
Myelinization and Pruning. Central, Peripheral and Autonomous Nervous Systems. Anatomy of a neuron and a synapse.
Neurotransmitters and their functions. 

Part 3 - Who's the CEO of Your Brain?
Pre-Frontal Cortex and Executive Functions.
What is the pre-frontal cortex? What can go wrong?
How the prefrontal cortex is really your CEO – and why it isn’t ready until age 25 or so…  And how to enhance the development and function of the prefrontal cortex and have a better, more successful life, health, career, and relationships.
The one-page miracle..(goal setting)

Part 4 - Shifting Gears
The Cingulate – The brain’s gear shifter. What is the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus and what does it do to help – or hurt – your life. What can you do to optimize its function so you can make better decisions. If you are not focused or organized and maybe have a lot f negative thoughts, you can help yourself by improving the functions of this part of the brain. 

Part 5 - The Worry Wart
Basal ganglia and deep limbic system – What is it, what does it do for you. What can go wrong. How to improve the function of this part of the brain. Mood, thought patterns, sleep, and more.

Part 6 - Be Smart, Don't Start! 
What drugs and alcohol do to your Brain – images of Brains of drug - users and the healthy brain. Which Brain do You Want? We will talk about how different drugs affect the brain in different ways. 
Why it is wise to not start and how to resist temptation and peer pressure.
How to support the brain to make the right decisions around drugs and alcohol.

Part 7 - Guard your Brain!
Other ways to hurt your brain – what a Traumatic Brain Injury, Concussion does to your brain and your life. 
The importance to protect yourself and avoid toxins as much as possible,
The importance of good sleep and limiting TV, video games, and social media.

Part 8 - Brain Struggles/Mental Health
Why mental health is really brain health.
We will talk about various mental health disorders  (Including Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Illness, ADD/ADHD, Tourette's, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, and a short bit on ASD) and their possible underlying causes (including genetic risk, toxins, injuries, etc.)
How to improve your brain function for better mental health. 
When is it necessary to seek help and where to turn to? 
Why it is not shameful to ask for help but a sign of courage.

Part 9 - Another's Brain...
Empathy – Understanding others’ brains…differences of the male and female brain, the influence of hormones on brain function. How to succeed in relationships by deepening understanding and better listening. 
How to deal with “difficult” or “different” people. 
How to create healthy boundaries and become assertive. 
How to deal with other’s aggressive tendencies. 
When is it time to end a relationship to protect yourself.   
How not to fall into the trap of mental and emotional or physical abuse. 
Focus on positive interaction.

Part 10 - Kill the ANT's in Your Brain
Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANT’s) and the power of thoughts, taught in a practical and fun way 
Strategies to combat automatic negative thoughts and focus on the positive. (Become your own internal ANTeater...)
How to change your thoughts for a better life 

Part 11 - Fuel for Your Brain - Nutrition and Exercise for Brain and Mental Health
How nutrition and physical activity impacts brain function. 
What to eat for a healthy brain, mind, and body. 
Why physical exercise is important and what types of exercises are helpful for or can hurt your brain.


Part 12 - Work it Out
Stress Reduction and Mental Exercise
How to keep your brain flexible and strong. 
Lifelong learning and its benefits for your brain health. 
Learning is not just science, math, or languages. It is also building things, being creative, learning an instrument, singing, playing music, doing brain-teasers, crossword puzzles, etc.
Beating Stress by being in the Now. 
Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Visualization Exercises to help relax and sleep better.

Adapted under license from Dr. Daniel Amen's course: BrainThrive by 25.
Minimum class size is 3 learners to encourage learner interaction.