QPR for School Staff in Chelsea, Salem, and for the Department of Public Health
This week we presented QPR, Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training, to providers through the Department of Health, staff at Phoenix Academy in Chelsea, and to staff at Salem Academy Charter School.
Tabling at Montserrat College of Art
Our Peer Mentor, Kay-Kay, tabled at Montserrat College of Art’s Career and Internship Fair today. We have hired students from Montserrat in the past, and many of our Peer Mentors are currently in college, so it was great to be a part of this event, talking to students about the Peer Mentor role.
Presentations to 275 Students in Melrose and Everett
Over the past week we presented to 152 students at Melrose High School and 123 students at George Keverian Middle School in Everett. The students had great questions about the process of getting a mental health diagnosis, when to call a crisis hotline, and how to support a friend who is reluctant to reach out for help. We especially enjoyed getting to pet the school service dog in Melrose, Tinker!
Amy Kerr’s “I Am More Reception” at Massachusetts Statehouse
Today, we had the pleasure of attending the “I Am More: Massachusetts” reception at the Massachusetts Statehouse. Thank you to the amazing Amy Kerr for using her art to showcase the stories of struggle, resilience and strength in those with mental health challenges and disabilities. We greatly appreciate the wonderful portrait of our Bilingual Outreach Coordinator, Karla, and all the portrait subjects who proudly shared their stories.
A big thank you to Senator Bruce Tarr, and Senator Joan B. Lovely for commemorating Amy, the subjects of “I Am More,” and the organizations working to support those living with mental health challenges.
“I Am More: Massachusetts” will be on display in the Fourth Floor Exhibit Area of the Statehouse through Friday January 20th, and then at the Northshore Mall in Peabody on Saturday, January 21st, for those who would like to view the collection in person. You can also check out the I Am More Collection digitally here!
Youth Speak on Mental Health on Fox 25 News!
Tonight, The NAN Project helped high school students involved in youth advocacy in their communities talk about mental health on Fox 25 News! Five students joined from La Colaborativa in Chelsea, two from Youth Action in Wakefield, and two from Mental Health Ambassadors in Gloucester. We’d like to give a big thank you to Kerry Kavanaugh and the Boston Fox News team for giving the students the opportunity to talk about what mental health has looked like in their schools. Each of these incredible students are passionate about improving mental health in their communities and we’re so glad we had the opportunity to connect with them. The segment is set to air in a few weeks, we hope you check it out!
Presentations to 232 Students in Chelmsford and Lowell
Over the past two days, we’ve presented to 134 students at Chelmsford High School and 98 students at Lowell High School. It was great to start off the new year speaking to so many young people about mental health!
Presentations to High Schools in Burlington, Swampscott, and Lynn
Over the past two days, we’ve presented to 66 students at Swampscott High School and 38 students at Burlington High School, as well as the Diversity and Equity Inclusion Club at Lynn Classical High School. Our team also spent last week delivering the donations from our Holiday Drive to the YouForward access center in Lawrence and Youth Elemento in Chelsea. It was great to start conversations at these three schools and further material support for youth before the New Year!
Presentations to 87 Students at Gloucester High School
Presentations to 58 Students at Woburn Memorial High School
Today we presented to 58 students at Woburn Memorial High School. We appreciated the questions as well as the calming and encouraging environment we are always received with at Woburn. Two of our Peer Mentors presented their comeback stories for the first time in classrooms and they did an excellent job. We can’t wait for their stories to reach more students!
Presentations to Over 450 Students in Everett, Lynn, and Beverly
This week was busy and filled with rich conversation! We presented to 300 students at Everett High School, 67 students at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, and 86 students at Hamilton-Wenham High School. This was our first time presenting at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn, and at Everett High School, some of our Peer Mentors told their comeback stories in Spanish. We’re very proud that our team has expanded to share mental health education with a larger group of youth!
