First In-Person Presentations to Lawrence High School

 Today we wrapped up our last of three days of presentations to 222 Lawrence High School 9th graders. This was our first time doing presentations in-person to Lawrence High School students and we’re excited to continue this connection. Our Clinical Director, Donna, also led a QPR training for cultural specialists at Lawrence, to offer staff more resources to help students that may be struggling with their mental health.

Presentations to 82 8th Graders at McCall Middle School

Over the past two days, we have presented to 4 classes of 8th graders at McCall Middle School in Winchester. They just wrapped up their mental health unit on depression and had very poignant questions and comments about mental health challenges and recovery. We look forward to returning!

Presentations to 9th Graders at Milford High School

Today our team returned to Milford High School and presented to three classes of 9th grade students. The students had thoughtful responses on how best to help a friend who is struggling and how to connect them with a trusted adult. Ms. Hochberger shared the homemade tacos cooked with the help of students in her nutrition class, which was such a treat! We look forward to continuing our work with more students at Milford next year.

Tabling in Danvers and Wakefield

Today, we tabled at two separate different events for DanversCARES and Wakefield Mental Health Community Forum. For the DanversCARES Light the Night Purple Walk for Substance Use Awareness, the color guard from the Danvers High School Marching Band headed off the one-mile walk in honor of substance use awareness. The walk was followed by a Danvers High School acapella group, and a story of recovery from addiction. The ceremony ended with the lighting of luminaries. At both events, our team connected with some of our school partners and made new connections. We thank the communities of Wakefield and Danvers for allowing us to join them in bringing awareness to substance use and mental health.

Presentations at North Reading High School

Over the past two days, we have presented to over 150 students at North Reading High School. We were so pleased to hear firsthand from students that they appreciated our stories and that many had trusted adults at school that they check-in with regularly. We were happy to have two of our newly trained Peer Mentors join us for the first time today. We’ll be back at North Reading High School next week to speak with more classes!

The NAN Project Recognized During Children’s Mental Health Week

Today, The NAN Project was honored to be recognized, along with the Malden Police Department and Eliot Community Services, during Mayor Christenson’s Children’s Mental Health Week Proclamation. We appreciate this especially after our work last summer with The Malden Police Department, offering QPR Suicide Prevention Training and Mental Health 101 to officers alongside representatives from Eliot Family Resource Center and the PACT (Program for Assertive Community Treatment) Team. We look forward to continuing our work in Malden and serving youth during Children’s Mental Health Week and year-round!

Presentation at the American Association of Suicidology Conference in Chicago

Today, The NAN Project team was in Chicago for the American Association of Suicidology conference! Jake our Executive Director, Donna our Clinical Director, and Lizzie our Assistant Director presented a workshop about our peer-to-peer model and far-reaching impact on students and community stakeholders across MA to an audience of nearly 100 people. We have really enjoyed connecting with different organizations these past couple days doing the important work of suicide prevention across the nation. Our first out of state conference was a huge success, and we look forward to more in the future!

First Out of State Presentation and Peer Mentor Graduation

Today was groundbreaking for The NAN Project as we held our first ever in-person presentation out of state! We presented to the students at the University of New Hampshire, most of whom were studying occupational therapy. We were extremely impressed with the audience’s questions and enjoyed the discussion that followed. We look forward to more programming at UNH as well as more colleges and universities!

Our newest cohort of Peer Mentors also graduated today from our training at YouForward in Lawrence and we are excited to welcome them to the team.

Presentations to McCall Middle School and Revere High School

Today we presented to McCall Middle School in Winchester and to students of The Power of Know in Revere High School. We were pleased to share our stories of lived experience and discuss mental health with them!

Peer Mentor Training at YouForward Lawrence

Today was our second day of Peer Mentor training at YouForward Lawrence. The morning started with part 1 of QPR and our trainees worked on writing their stories in the afternoon. We are beginning to see our trainees put together their comeback stories and we look forward to them sharing their completed stories next week!