It starts, by talking…
Talking about mental health can be difficult, and sometimes you may feel like you are not qualified to speak about the important issues of emotions, self-harm, addiction, or suicide. You may feel if you talk about it, you will be giving ideas to those at risk. Talking about it does not increase someone’s chance of self-harm.
The more we stay silent, the more mental health challenges go unnoticed, undiagnosed, and untreated. Trauma does not go away, it grows in time, manifests into self-destructive patterns, and eventually takes control of one’s mind and life.
Let’s start talking. Let’s make it normal to speak up and end the silence. Let’s change the narrative on mental health together; and stop having to say goodbye to those we love.
Elementary School
Kindergarten through fifth grade talk about various emotions and how to recognize how you feel, appropriate ways to handle those feelings, who to talk to about those feelings, and bullying (the effects on yourself and others, and what to do about it).
High school
High School students, grades nine through twelve speak on the two basic core emotions and how they affect overall mood and actions. Trauma, and the negative long-term effects it can have if one does not seek the correct support. Self-harm, addiction, and suicide.
ALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND TRAININGS ARE PRESENTED BASED ON AUDIENCE AND AGE GROUP
Middle School
Grades sixth through eighth talk about emotions on a deeper level, how sometimes emotions do not always express themselves outwardly in a way that tells us or others how we really feel (i.e., you feel sad, but you react with anger). How to manage bullying and peer pressure safely and effectively. Learn healthy coping skills, and who to talk to if you feel unsafe or are having emotional difficulty.
For teachers and parents
How to talk about mental health and addiction, how to recognize signs of a crisis, and suicide prevention awareness and training (QPR Institute Gatekeeper Training).