About This Lesson
This video lesson explores the groundbreaking investigative journalism of Nellie Bly, who in 1887 pretended to be mentally ill in order to expose the abusive conditions inside a New York City women’s asylum. Through Bly’s firsthand account in 10 Days in a Madhouse, students will examine how mental illness was misunderstood and mistreated in the late 19th century, as well as the ways poverty, immigration status and gender shaped who was institutionalized.
The lesson also encourages students to think critically about the role of journalism in creating social change and raising awareness about injustice. Students will reflect on how attitudes toward mental health have evolved over time and discuss the stigma that still exists today.
The accompanying worksheets are differentiated for middle school and high school learners, providing age-appropriate opportunities for comprehension, analysis, discussion and historical reflection.
