NAMI Ending the Silence Program

Developed by Brian & Brenda Hilligoss

NAMI DuPage County, Illinois 2007

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Agenda

• About the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Importance of Prevention and Early Intervention

• Introduction to Ending the Silence

• Testimonials

• Impact-to-Date (2007 – July, 2013)

• Benefits of Partnering with NAMI

• Young Adult Story

• Q & A2

About NAMI• Largest grassroots mental health

organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness

• NAMI Affiliates in every state, including some territories

• NAMI Affiliates work to raise awareness and provide essential and free support, advocacy and education programs for people with mental illness and their loved ones

• Lived experience is key in the success of our organization and programs 3

Importance of Prevention & Early Intervention

• 1 in 4 US adults have a diagnosable, treatable mental illness (Kessler et al., 2005)

• 21% of youth (ages 13-18) have a mental illness (Merikangas et al., 2010)

• 80% don’t receive mental health services (NAMI Child and Adolescent Action Center)

• Although 50% exhibit symptoms by age 14, the average delay between onset of symptoms and receiving treatment is 8-10 years (NIMH, 2005)

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Importance of Prevention and Early Intervention

• Studies show that stigma is the greatest barrier to individuals receiving treatment and achieving recovery

• The majority of individuals who receive treatment early recover completely

• Prevention and early intervention are key in helping people avoid serious mental illness

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• 50 minute presentation about mentalhealth for high school students

• Includes educational PowerPoint where students learn signs and symptoms of various mental illnesses

• Emphasizes that mental illness is treatable and recovery is possible

• Includes personal testimony from a young adult living with a mental illness about their journey to recovery

• Engages students through Q & A session

• ETS reduces stigma through:

o Education – provide accurate information about mental illness to promote understanding and dispel myths

o Personal contact – puts a human face to mental illness and provides hope that recovery is possible

Ending the Silence

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Educational ETS PowerPoint Includes:

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• Statistics on student and young adult mental health and recovery

• Descriptions and signs/symptoms of mental illness:o ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)o Depressiono Bipolar Disordero Anxietyo Panic Disordero OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)o Schizophrenia

• Videos from youth with mental illnesses sharing their personal experiences

• For each mental illness, relatable celebrities who also have been diagnosed with the illness are mentioned

• Information on recovery and coping strategies

• How to seek help-for self or for a friend

Teacher Testimonial

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“Often times in health education, and unfortunately society today, the

recognition of mental health issues as well as an open discussion of

resources available are overlooked for a number of reasons. I feel strongly

that NAMI’s Ending the Silence program has filled a large gap in our

curriculum specifically related to:

• Identification of the major classifications of mental illnesses

• Resources for those with a mental illness

• Education on reducing the stigma associated with those with a mental illness”

Health Teacher, Illinois

Student Testimonials

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“…After school that day, I went home and told my mom: I told her I need

help with this because it's not something I can fix myself; I've tried and

tried. Your story really helped me… My friend also has depression and

your presentation showed me what I can do to help her. Please continue

to visit schools and share your experience with many people. I know you

can help inspire many people, just like you inspired me. “

“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 Testimonials

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“It definitely opened my eyes to what I look for now to help my friends. I

have a brother with ADD and now I feel that I can deal with him better

because I know how hard it is for him.”

“I’m grateful for your presentation because it helped me get the courage to

face a mental illness I think I might have and I feel encouraged to seek

help.”

“I suffer from anxiety and it is very hard for me socially and with school.

This makes me realize I wasn’t the only one.”

“You have changed my life forever. I now know that people can get help.”

Impact-to-Date (2007 – July, 2013)

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• 1,206 presentations have been conducted

• 59,205 students have been reached

• 97 schools have received the ETS presentation

• 8 states currently have NAMI Affiliates that offer the programo ETS is being provided statewide in California

Benefits of Partnering with NAMI

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• Presentations offered to schools at no cost

• ETS increases student knowledge and awareness of mental health

• ETS educates students on illnesses which affect the brain o Great supplement to health curriculum

• Students are given ideas on how to support a friend who is experiencing mental health problems, and how to recognize signs of mental illness in themselves, family and friends

• ETS promotes deeper understanding of mental health through a young adult living with mental illness sharing their journey to recovery

• Students have the opportunity to ask a “real life” young person with a mental illness and a family member questions directly

• By engaging students in a discussion about mental illness amongst their peers, students dealing with mental health issues realize they’re not alone

Young Adult Story

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Questions?

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Contact Information

Program Coordinator Name

Position Title

NAMI Affiliate Name

Phone:

Email:

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