COMS 101
PERSUASIVE SPEECH OUTLINE
Organization: Persuasive
Audience analysis: My audience consists of one white college-aged women and a
middle age white man and women, all who are college-
educated, attend an average size Nondenominational church in
central Delaware. This speech will prove useful as everyone
either has or will deal with mental health struggles in their life.
Topic: The social issue that I decided to address is the increase of
mental illness in the United States. In order to counteract this, I
will persuade my audience to promote mental health programs,
as well as raising awareness to the issue itself.
General Goal: To persuade.
Specific Goal: I want to persuade my audience that mental illness is a growing
issue, and promoting mental help programs, as well as raising
awareness, will lessen the damage that it causes.
I. Get Attention
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COMS 101
In a 2022 survey American College Health Association found that
approximately 77% of college students are experiencing moderate to severe
psychological distress with ruffly 30% experiencing suicidal thoughts
(American Collage Health Association, p.14,16).
II. Establish Relevance
With mental illness being more prevalent today than ever before, it is vital to
know what can be done to combat this growing issue.
III. Establish Credibility
As someone who battled with mental illnesses in the past, I understand
firsthand the importance of addressing metal health issues.
IV. State the Thesis
V. Addressing mental illness is not just a societal responsibility but is also a way
that you can honor God by showing kindness to the individuals suffering, as
well as showing them support as they battle mental illness.
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COMS 101
VI. Preview Your Main Points
Today, we will discuss the relevance and impact of mental illnesses, the
importance of raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental
health, and finally, how you can honor God by helping those struggling with
mental illnesses.
Transition: Let’s begin
Body:
I. Main Point 1. The impact that mental illness has had on society has only
grown more impactful.
A. According to an article published by Forbes over 19% of Americans suffer
from anxiety, with the number skyrocketing to nearly 50% in people ages
18-24, with over 60% of all victims not taking steps to treat it (Booth, 2023)
B. According to The World Health Organization over 5% of the world
population suffer from depression with suicide being the fourth leading
cause of death for people ages 15-29 (World Health Organization, 2023).
C. Mental illness also are able to affect your physical health by draining your
body of the energy needed to remain healthy, causing healthcare systems
become even more full as a result.
Transition: Now that we have explored how many people are affected by
mental illness, let’s discuss what steps can be taken to make a difference.
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COMS 101
II. Main Point 2. The effectiveness of mental health programs and initiatives
A. There are organizations and programs that are both fully online as well as in
person Mental Health Resource Center for example which offer help to
those who struggle with mental illness.
B. By identifying mental health decline quickly, the effects tend to be lessened
and the time needed to recover is greatly reduced.
C. By reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging others
to be open about their struggles will help guide people towards the help
they need.
Transition:
But how is this honoring to God?
III. Main Point 3. By helping others battle against mental illness you are fulling
what the Bible has instructed us to do.
A. Jesus while talking about the day of judgement states that “The King will
answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to
one of these brothers of Mine,EevenEthe leastEof them,Eyou did it to Me.”
(New American Standard Bible, 1995, Matthew 25:40)
B. Another reason that you are honoring God is when you help those who are
going through mental struggles you are fulfilling the second greatest
commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.
Conclusion:
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COMS 101
I. Summarize Your Thesis and Main Points
Today we have discussed how many people are affected by mental illnesses
and the effect it has on them, as well as what you can do to combat the issue
and where to look for help if you are struggling, and finally we discussed how
helping people in their struggles brings honor to God.
II. End with a Clincher
By doing your part you are changing the lives of the people around you for the
better.
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COMS 101
References
American College Health Association. (2022). American College Health Association-
National College Health Assessment III: Reference Group Executive Summary Spring
2022.Ehttps://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHA-
III_SPRING_2022_UNDERGRAD_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMAR
Y.pdf
Booth, J. (2023, November 23). Anxiety statistics and facts. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/anxiety-statistics/#:~:text=Nationally%3A
%20Over%2040%20million%20adults,mental%20illness%20in%20the%20world
World Health Organization. (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). World
Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation
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