We are proud to partner with NAMI on this project. NAMI Sarasota County has identified the need for evidenced-based, preventive programming designed to address behavioral/mental health needs of youth, aged 13-18, in middle and high schools, as well as in other community-based settings.
Helping middle and high schoolers understand mental illness makes a big difference. Figuring out creative ways to connect with middle and high schoolers can be the challenge. Ending the Silence does this in the school setting where students get to see the reality of living with a mental health condition. During the presentation, a young adult in recovery and a family member tell their stories about mental health challenges, including what hurt and what helped. The program encourages students to share their experiences of the ETS presentation via social media.
Taking this a step further, in today’s world of multi-media, there is an opportunity to provide middle and high schoolers engagement in a video project related to ETS. This type of project furthers the conversation related to understanding mental illness, signs, symptoms and how to get help, but also the elimination of stigma surrounding mental illness.