Presentations to Students at Everett High School and MLK Charter School in Springfield
Today, our Peer Mentors presented to 13 high school students at Everett High School and 50 5th graders at MLK Charter School in Springfield. It was great to talk about mental health for students of different ages, and at MLK Charter, we got the chance to pet a bearded dragon!
Professional Development in Hingham, Belmont, and Beverly
The past few days we trained staff at Hingham High School in QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training, presented Mental Health 101 to staff at Belmont Public Schools, and presented a mental health support training for the Beverly Fire Department. We also started up another round of the Let’s Talk About It! teen group at the Eliot Family Resource Center in Everett. We look forward to the next session of this ongoing support skills group!
Amy Kerr’s “I Am More” Reception at the Northshore Mall
Tonight, we had the pleasure of joining Amy Kerr’s “I Am More” reception at the Northshore Mall. It was amazing to see the portrait of our Bilingual Outreach Coordinator, Karla, displayed so prominently in the gallery along with the group of outstanding subjects. We appreciate Amy Kerr for her dedication to sharing the stories of resilience and creating portraits of those with mental health challenges and disabilities.
Peers Present in Melrose, Concord, and Newburyport
This week we presented to over 125 students at Melrose High School, Nashoba Brooks School in Concord, and Newburyport High School. It was a great experience to share insight about different kinds of therapy, how to distinguish typical feelings from a mental health challenge, and available resources in schools!
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!
Emerson Health Grant of $4,000
We thank Emerson Health for awarding The NAN Project a grant of $4,000 for mental health and suicide prevention programming in Chelmsford High School, Mass. We are so appreciative for this generous contribution and can’t wait to be back in Chelmsford!
Presentations in Salem, Beverly, and Revere
This week our Peer Mentors presented to 36 6th graders and 46 8th graders at Saltonstall School in Salem, 119 students at Revere High School, and presented QPR to 54 school staff at Beverly Middle School, 37 staff members at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, and virtually to 20 youth at the Mary’s Center in Washington D.C.! It was great to present to folks in so many different capacities this week.
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!