We held a Lunch & Learn at Palisades Charter High School on June 25, to present community members with information and insights about our “Ending the Silence” program for students, parents, and teachers in Los Angeles.
Our NAMI Westside Program Director Tim Davis led the event by introducing our program and previewing the “Ending the Silence” (ETS) presentation that we give in middle and high schools, including Pali High. He was then joined by peer youth presenters Ryder, Brooke, and Brenda, who shared their personal experiences of living with mental illness and motivation to help youth. When we took questions from the audience, our presenters shared the impacts they’ve seen and encouraged more open and honest discussions about mental health with youth to help them feel safe and supported.
“In the past year, NAMI Westside Los Angeles delivered more than 50 ETS presentations at eight local schools,” said Davis. “As we expand our roster of awesome lead and youth presenters, our hope is to bring the program into twice as many schools next year. We look forward to continuing to end the silence, shame, and stigma that surrounds mental illness… one student/one school at a time!”
Are you interesting in having an Ending the Silence presentation at your middle or high school? Contact Tim Davis today: tdavis [at] namila [dot] org