For Schools

In addition to our in-classroom presentations, The NAN Project has developed a series of professional development workshops, resource guides, and mental-health lesson plans, to support our partner schools. All are provided free of charge.

 

PEER MENTOR PRESENTATIONS: 

These stories detail our Peer Mentors’ struggles with mental illness and other issues facing young people, but more importantly, discuss the supports they were able to access and the coping strategies they have employed to find a path to recovery. By presenting these stories,we create a safe space for students to talk about mental health. In these presentations we also cover the signs and risks of a peer who may be struggling, as well as how to get them help in a crisis.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS:

The NAN Project has produced a series of webinars and live workshops to help educators and school faculty recognize the challenges of today’s students and provide appropriate responses and resources. All of our professional development trainings can be offered in-person or virtually, and can be tailored to a school’s current concerns or needs.

“These PDs are always the best ones we have all year!” -Educator, Hopedale Junior-Senior High School 

SUICIDE RISK FACTORS, WARNING SIGNS, AND HOW TO HELP

This suicide prevention training empowers educators to act as a bridge to support for students who may be struggling with a mental health crisis. QPR is not intended to be clinical, but is meant to offer a set of tools and basic language anyone can employ to offer hope and help. This interactive training offers covers suicide statistics, risk factors, and warnings signs, as well as strategies to support a young person and get them to the resources available within the school or community.

1.5 Hours 

STORIES OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY

During this workshop, The NAN Project Peer Mentors will share their lived experience with mental health challenges, as well the supports they were able to access and the coping strategies they have employed to find a path to recovery. These stories create a safe space for staff, faculty and community stakeholders to ask questions about mental health, and the strategies that work to engage youth who are struggling.

This presentation can also serve as a preview of our classroom presentations with students!

      45 minutes -1 hour

COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES IN THE CLASSROOM  

This non-clinical training offers a straightforward introduction to common mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD and adjustment disorder. The NAN Project team will provide the signs of these challenges as well as practical responses and strategies to identify a student who may be struggling in the classroom - informed by our own Peer Mentors lived experiences.

 1 Hour

MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS STUDENTS HAVE (BUT ARE AFRAID TO ASK)

During our student presentations, we receive many questions from the youth lens, including how to talk to friends and family about mental health, what do different diagnoses look like, how to identify supports, etc. This workshop offers a look into those specific questions, and strategic suggestions on how school staff can safely and appropriately respond when mental health topics come up in their classrooms.

 1 Hour

 

SEL Circles 

The NAN Project offers a 6 week curriculum on various social emotional learning (SEL) and mental health topics for middle and high school students. SEL Circles are curriculum-based, made for groups of up to 15 students, and supported by Peer Mentors & a licensed mental health clinician/school counselor. The curriculum is offered in a format that is fun, educational, and appealing for students that need a little extra social-emotional support.

To reach out to discuss bringing SEL Circles to your school or community, email [email protected].

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDES

Mental Health Resource Sheet: ENGLISH | SPANISH 

Mental Health Resources for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color): ENGLISH | SPANISH

LGBTQ Mental Health Resources: ENGLISH | SPANISH

 

LESSON PLANS FOR EDUCATORS

The NAN Project offers the following programs as a set of tools for schools and youth serving organizations to promote self-care, routine, and connectedness for the young people they serve. Each module includes a lesson plan and set of slides.

Boundary-setting can be a tool to take care of yourself and your mental health, especially for students who have less independence while social distancing. This lesson includes an overview of boundaries and the skills needed to set and reinforce them, and a visual representation of student’s boundaries. (45 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

 

This activity offers an opportunity to reflect on the ways we are connecting with our friends and family, and discuss different strategies to improve that connectivity. (45 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

This activity invites students to evaluate what is working for them right now, and identify gaps in their current self care, by discussing different domains of self care. (35-40 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

This art therapy directive aims to externalize stress and negative emotions.  This visualization will help us notice where we are getting stuck in negative narratives and feelings and how we can feel more hopeful and positive. (30-40 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

Many of us are receiving distressing, upsetting, or even scary information about how our world or communities are affected by the coronavirus. Much of this news is not something we can control or affect. The discussion, and the visual created during this activity validate students' concerns, but also call attention to how many things are within our control, even in these challenging times.(45 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

Facing challenges gives us the opportunity to reflect on our hopes for the future and set new goals. This intention setting technique empowers us to design our lives based on a personal sense of meaning and positive mental well-being. Students will identify an intention or goal,  as well  as the supports and actions needed for that intention. (35-45 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

Self Compassion offers a space for the intense feelings we may be having, as well as an opportunity to offer ourselves some comfort during stressful times.This lesson will introduce the basics of self-compassion, and offer students a moment in their day to reflect on themselves and their mental health with kindness and understanding. (35-45 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

Using a wide array of body expressions and movements, students get to share with the group some activity that we have done in the past week to cope that promotes selfcare. (55-75 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

This activity encourages participants to maintain and refocus our attention on some of the things that bring us joy and happiness. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own strategies for maintaining self-care. (45 Minutes-1hr)

Lesson Plan

Slides

Using everyday objects you have around you, create a few simple reminders of coping skills and self-care practices. This activity will get you up and moving, while tapping in to your five senses. (35-45 Minutes)

Lesson Plan

Slides

 

 

If you’re an educator, administrator, or school faculty, interested in bringing The NAN Project to your school, reach out to our team at [email protected] to learn more!
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