Auburn, WA — Efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are bringing important conversations about mental health directly into middle schools and high schools. The program, called ‘Ending the Silence’, aims to encourage students to openly discuss mental health.
At Auburn Mountain View High School, Robin Hintz shared her journey with mental health issues during her third period health class.
“We are not psychiatrists or social workers,” Hintz said. “But we are experts in our own and our families’ mental health journeys. I’ve learned to tell my story, and it’s very healing.”
She explained that she had been in recovery for four or five years after years without treatment or help.
The goal of this program is to get students thinking and talking about mental health. That conversation didn’t exist when Kristen East graduated from high school at the top of her class.
East, a NAMI youth presenter, said, “I didn’t fit into what I thought of as someone who was depressed or needed help, so I felt like I didn’t deserve help.” Ta.
Second grade students who attended the class said the program was a positive step. Sophomore Jeriel Fundan said, “I don’t think it’s hard to talk. I think it’s easier to talk to other people about how you feel. But I know it’s difficult for a lot of other people.” I think so too,” he said. It should be normalized. ”
Fellow sophomore Kyler Schrier shared his experience, saying, “My cousin was struggling with this a lot and I just didn’t know how to help him. So now I’m trying to help him a little bit more. “I was able to better understand his feelings and emotions.”
Hintz said it’s not always clear who contacted them, but students sometimes share personal connections. “It gave me new hope,” Hintz said. “Especially at the high school level, they don’t want to ask questions. But people are listening.”
In addition to presentations in schools, NAMI also offers programs for parents, other adults, and community groups. We also offer a helpline for teens and young adults. Youth may text “Friend” to 62640 or call 800-950-NAMI Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
