According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in six kids between the ages of 6 and 17 experience a mental health disorder each year in the U.S. Attention-deficit/
Ending the Silence is a free, evidence-based, 50-minute in-person presentation designed to teach middle and high school students about mental health issues. The engaging and educational presentation is given by young adult presenters who have personal experience with mental health conditions along with representatives from NAMI and school counselors.
“One of the things that is especially exciting and inspiring about the Ending the Silence program, is that it includes presentations from young adults actually living with a mental illness who share their journey with recovery,” said Kristina Sabetta, executive director of NAMI Valley of the Sun. “The program provides hope and empowers teens to reach out and get the help they need. It also allows participants to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of an often misunderstood topic like mental health illness.”
Through Ending the Silence, seventh through 12th graders learn about the warning signs of mental illness, what steps to take if a friend or loved one begins showing symptoms of a mental health condition and ways to end the stigma associated with mental health issues. Participants learn about mental health conditions through a targeted presentation, short videos and personal testimonies from a young adult who shares their lived experience.
According to NAMI, undiagnosed, untreated or inadequately treated mental illness can lead to high rates of school dropout, unemployment, substance abuse, incarceration and early death.
Today, suicide is the second most common cause of death for teens. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, one young person dies by suicide every 11 minutes and 17% of all high school students seriously consider suicide. These facts make Ending the Silence an even more important program for schools across Arizona.
Schools can play a significant role in helping teens receive early intervention. Ending the Silence helps educators and students identify warning signs of an emerging mental health condition and demonstrates how to connect someone to care quickly.
“The impression Ending the Silence has on participating students is noticeable, but it also has a lasting impact on adults too,” said Sabetta. “Parents often say, ‘I wish there had been something like this back when I was in high school. It would have helped me understand what was going on with myself or a friend.’”
“Getting the program into our schools, in front of parents and teachers, also helps these trusted adults identify warning signs of an emerging mental health condition and the importance of early intervention to help teens avoid suicide,” Sabetta concluded.
In 2023, more than 6,000 students across Arizona participated in the Ending the Silence program.
NAMI Ending the Silence is offered in-person by NAMI affiliates across the country and is also now available online, when an in-person presentation is not available.
For more information about how to schedule an Ending the Silence presentation, or to learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness Arizona programs, visit namiarizona.org.
