Schools

In 2001, the Surgeon General of the United States released a report stating that 12% of American children under the age of 18 have a diagnosable mental illness.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers.

Every 9 seconds in America a student becomes a dropout.**

A study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that 50% of adult cases of mental illness had signs and symptoms by age 14.  Therefore, it is vitally important that we educate students and school staff to recognize mental illness so that those affected can get early treatment. 

NAMI DuPage offers three programs for schools:

Ending the Silence
NAMI DuPage has developed a signature high school health class presentation called Ending The Silence. The program is typically presented in freshman/sophomore health classes during the mental health portion of the curriculum. This interactive program teaches the basic signs and symptoms of mental illnesses in teenagers, presents personal stories to reduce stigma, and provides many resource materials for students.
NAMI affiliates may purchase this program at endingthesilence.org


Parents and Teachers As Allies
This two-hour in-service program helps school professionals identify the early warning signs of early-onset mental illnesses in children and adolescents in schools. The program is also presented to Parent Groups as an educational tool to help bridge the gap between home and school and help families better advocate for their school age children. It focuses on the specific, age-related symptoms of mental illnesses in youth, how best to intervene, and shares the lived experiences of consumers and families.


NAMI DuPage Overview
Brief overview for school staff of the services NAMI DuPage has to offer to their  students and parents.
For more information, or to schedule a presentation please call Brenda Hilligoss, School Outreach Coordinator, at 630-752-0066.

**Lehr, C.A. et al. (2004). Essential tools: Increasing rates of school completion. Minneapolis,  MN: National Center on Secondary Education and Transition.