Mental Health in Schools
Current state for our Youth
1 in 6 youth ages 6-17 have a mental health condition, but only half receive any mental health services.
In an average class size of 24 students...
4 students may be struggling
2 students are receiving proper support.
The national average school size is 526 students. This means that, on average, 44 students have a mental health condition and are not receiving treatment.
Educational Trainings for Schools
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Ask A Question, Save A Life.
What is QPR Suicide Prevention Training?
The QPR's mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
Why is it important for students to take QPR?
QPR Suicide Prevention training applies to anyone no matter your background. NAMI of McHenry County (NAMI MCH) has trained over 3,000 students as young as 5th grade. Everyone has mental health, this training is not only designed to help someone who is suicidal, but it also applies to assist anyone struggling with mental health. When students apply QPR they plant seeds of hope. Hope helps prevent suicide. Before we present QPR in schools teachers and administration staff are training first. Our students’ mental health is a priority, School Social Workers, Counselors, and NAMI MCH staff are available if students need additional support. We also recommend parents and guardians to take the training before students. NAMI MCH also offers monthly virtual and in-person training at no cost to the community.
What is Ending the Silence?
Ending the Silence is a free, evidence-based, 50-minute session designed for middle and high school students. Your students will learn about mental health conditions through a brief presentation, short videos, and personal testimony from a young adult who describes their journey to recovery.
NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain an understanding of an often misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma.
What will the audience get out of this presentation?
Free of cost to schools and communities
NAMI Ending the Silence for Students: 50-minute presentation designed for middle and high school students that includes warning signs, facts, statistics, and how to get help for themselves or a friend. Research has shown that NAMI Ending the Silence for Students is effective in changing middle and high school students’ knowledge and attitudes toward mental health conditions and toward seeking help
NAMI Ending the Silence for School Staff : 1-hour presentation for school staff members that includes information about warning signs, facts, and statistics, how to approach students, and how to work with families
NAMI Ending the Silence for Families: 1-hour presentation for adults with middle or high school-aged youth that includes warning signs, facts, and statistics, how to talk with your child, and how to work with school staff
Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Participants over the age of 18 will learn how to assist a youth aged 12 – 18 who is struggling with a mental health challenge
Much like first aid in emergency situations, Youth Mental Health First Aid is training for adults who regularly interact with youth to help adolescents experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or are in crisis. The course will be taught by a certified instructor. Learning activities will include group discussions, scenario-based exercises, shared experiences, PowerPoint presentations, and videos.
Topics covered:
Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorders
Depressive disorders
Eating disorders
Substance use disorders
Recovery and Resilience
Self-help and Professional help
Self-injury and Suicide
What you will learn:
The common mental health challenges and disorders in youth, typical adolescent development, a 5-step action plan, substance use in youth, and how to Interact with a youth in crisis
Teen Mental Health First Aid
Participants between 15 – 18 years old who will learn how to assist fellow teenage peers who are struggling with a mental health challenge
Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use issues in their friends and peers. The course will be taught by a certified instructor. Learning activities will include group discussions, scenario-based exercises, shared experiences, PowerPoint presentations, and videos.
Topics covered:
Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorders
Depressive disorders
Eating disorders
Substance use disorders
Recovery and Resilience
Self-help and Professional help
Self-injury and Suicide
What you will learn:
The common signs and symptoms of mental illness, substance use, mental health crisis (particularly suicide), how to open the conversation about mental illnesses and addiction, the impact of school violence and bullying on mental health, and how to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult.
Support for Schools
What is NAMI on Campus?
Students face many challenges during their transition to high school and college. Academics, clubs, jobs, and new relationships can all be super exciting, but also great stressors if not properly managed. College students may face being far away from home and finding independence they didn't have before. High school students begin to see the horizon of their futures through college prep and career planning. Balancing all of the changes that happen in school can be stressful and challenging.
Those challenges are even more difficult for the 1 in 5 students who also face a mental health condition. Nearly three-quarters of mental health conditions emerge by age 24, so many students are facing mental health concerns for the first time, and may not know where to go for support.
NAMI knows that some of the best support a student can receive is from peers. When students connect, they can share common experiences and support each other through the transitions. NAMI On Campus helps make those connections happen.
NAMI On Campus clubs work to end the stigma that makes it hard for students to talk about mental health and get the help they need. Clubs hold creative meetings, hold innovative awareness events, and offer signature NAMI programs through partnerships with NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates across the nation.
Why NAMI on Campus?
NAMI On Campus clubs are student-led student-run mental health clubs on high school and college campuses. NAMI On Campus clubs
RAISE mental health awareness with fairs, walks, and candlelight vigils
EDUCATE the campus with presentations, guest speakers, and student panels
ADVOCATE for improved mental health services and policies on campus
SUPPORT peers with the national NAMI programs and support groups
As a member of a NAMI On Campus club, you will belong to the largest grassroots mental health organization in America. Club leaders have access to the staff, resources, opportunities, and support that comes with being part of this national movement, including opportunities beyond your college years.
Middle School Connections Support Group
What is the Middle School Connections Support Group?
Support groups for ages 11 to 14 that helps youth tackle the challenges of every day life and mental health.
This support group is co-led by a licensed clinical psychologist from Ascension and a NAMI recovery support specialist
This Connections Support Group (CSG) will occur at NAMI of McHenry County on the fourth Monday of every month.
If you are new to NAMI McHenry County, please click here, and fill out the following link: which is for a Service Assessment for support group placement: https://namimch.org/forms/one-on-one-intake
If you are returning to NAMI McHenry County, please RSVP each week for the group you would like to attend. Spaces are limited.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments or would like to coordinate with our Service Team, please text (for immediate response) or call Tina Karaway- Senior Manager of Advocacy and Recovery Support Services at (815) 314-4422 and leave a message.
Direct Support
Parent Advocacy in Schools
Trained staff partner with parents to develop academic and behavioral accommodation plans for youth with mental health challenges.
Staff assist parents with preparing for IEP/504 meetings, and may sometimes attend meetings as well.
We offer virtual and in-person workshops to prepare, support, and educate parents for the challenges that come with navigating the academic and mental health care system for their students.
Parent Skill-Building Workshops
NAMI of McHenry County is here to support the students, school staff, school administration, and parents in McHenry County. Providing resources and working to end the stigma around mental health can help provide hope and encouragement for our youth. We are not asking school personnel to become mental health experts, but knowing warning signs can make a huge difference.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at education@namimch.org