Presentations

Mental Health Chat is a program developed by NAMI Fox Valley and is a mental health awareness presentation given to elementary age students.  NAMI Wisconsin has been given permission to expand the program state wide.  The target population is 4^th graders (3^rd – 5^th) and the presentation is given by someone living with a mental illness or someone who is a family member of someone with a mental illness.  The presentation is about 40 – 45 minutes with a curriculum follow-up for teachers provided.

The presentation is given in a fun and caring way with the goals:

• Educate elementary students about mental illness and NAMI
• Help elementary students understand that getting medical help for a mental illness is good and similar to getting medical help for a broken arm or the flu
• Educate elementary students that one in five people live with a mental illness
• Provide positive coping skills for dealing with strong emotions.
• Teach students how to help themselves or a friend identify an adult they can talk to if feeling sad/depressed/anxious

The presentation includes:

1. A description of mental illness and why it’s sometimes hard to understand, and tell them about NAMI
2. Reading of a book about feelings/mood
3. A whiteboard presentation on mental illness, getting help, one in five using stick figure drawings
4. A relaxation exercise using Go Noodle
5. Follow-up curriculum for teacher to do an activity about feelings, coping skills and make a list of who they can talk to in the school or home about their feelings.

For more information on how to bring this this fun & interactive presentation to your school fill out the interest form at the bottom of the page.

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Free Mental Health Presentations If you are interested in bringing a presentation about mental health and/or suicide awareness to your organization, school, work place, etc., please complete the form below.

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH? Education promotes wellness!

Ending The Silence Presentations

NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps middle and high school aged youth learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.

NAMI Ending the Silence is offered in-person by NAMI affiliates across the country and is also now available online when an in-person presentation is not available.

NAMI Ending The Silence In Person

Ending the Silence is a free, evidence-based, 50-minute session designed for middle and high school students. Your students will learn about mental health conditions through a brief presentation, short videos, and personal testimony from a young adult who describes their journey to recovery.

NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma.

• Free of cost to schools and communities
• NAMI Ending the Silence for Students: 50-minute presentation designed for middle and high school students that includes warning signs, facts and statistics and how to get help for themselves or a friend. Research has shown that NAMI Ending the Silence for Students is effective in changing middle and high school students’ knowledge and attitudes toward mental health conditions and toward seeking help
• NAMI Ending the Silence for School Staff (in person only): 1-hour presentation for school staff members that includes information about warning signs, facts and statistics, how to approach students and how to work with families
• NAMI Ending the Silence for Families (in person only): 1-hour presentation for adults with middle or high school aged youth that includes warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child and how to work with school staff

What People Are Saying

“I’m really grateful and glad that you talked to us. I often feel very alone or weird because many kids my age don’t understand. But, now I’m sure they would be more supportive of me.” -Student

“Thank you, Renee, for coming to my school and sharing your story. You have changed my life forever. The things you explained about your depression relate to how I feel. When I got home, I immediately talked to my parents and hopefully I will get some help.” -Student

“It is amazing what just one day, one talk can do. You never really know what’s going on in the brain of any particular student.” -Teacher

“Recently parents from two different families reached out to me after their children had seen NAMI Ending the Silence. Both were thanking me for the work we do along with being grateful to know about us as a resource. They were able to have very meaningful and open conversations with their children/students and happy they are getting this information in the school setting.” -ETS Program Leader

There are many ways to advocate for our voice to be heard.

NAMI In Our Own Voice advocacy presentations change attitudes, assumptions and stereotypes about people with mental health conditions. These free, 45- or 60- minute presentations provide a personal perspective of mental illness, as presenters with lived experience talk openly about what it’s like to live with a mental health condition.

Our trained presenters humanize the misunderstood, highly stigmatized topic of mental illness by showing that it’s possible—and common—to live well with a mental health condition. This presentation also provides:

• A chance to ask presenters questions, allowing for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions and dispelling of stereotypes and misconceptions.
• The understanding that every person with a mental health condition can hope for a brighter future.
• Information on how to learn more about mental health and get involved with the mental health community.