Every teacher typically has at least three children in their class living with a mental health condition. Chances are that 50% of them are not receiving the care they need — often because they are embarrassed to talk about it.
At NAMI Brown County, we know that these children are not alone. Caring and observant teachers, schools and parents/caregivers are looking for ways to help. One great way to start is by inviting NAMI Brown County into your classroom to present one of our mental health education sessions for students.
NAMI Brown County’s classroom presentations are designed to break down stigma, increase mental health literacy and encourage help-seeking behavior. Presentations are customized for elementary, middle and high school classrooms.
Mental Health Chat: Elementary Presentation
Mental Health Chat is a 40-minute presentation designed for 4th graders. The goals of the presentation are as follows:
- Educate elementary students about NAMI & mental illness
- Help students understand that getting medical help for a mental illness is similar to getting medical help for a broken arm or the flu
- Educate students that 1 in 5 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
Anxiety & Stress in Teens: Middle & High School
Anxiety & Stress in Teens is a 45-minute presentation. The goals of the presentation are as follows:
- The adverse effects of mental health stigma
- Common warning signs of mental health conditions prevalent in teens, and the stigma that often accompanies these diagnoses
- Available treatment options and the importance of seeking help early in life
- Healthy coping strategies, stress management techniques, and the practice of mindfulness to reduce stress
- Various stressors that can impact a teen’s mental health
- The key differences between stress and anxiety
Ending the Silence: High School Presentation
Ending the Silence is a 50-minute engaging presentation that helps audience members 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. 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.
For more information or to schedule a presentation, contact info@namibrowncounty.org.
