Mental health challenges often begin during the school years. Knowing what to notice, how to respond, and where to turn for help can make a meaningful difference.

NAMI Ending the Silence is a free, evidence-based mental health education program that helps students, school staff, and families better understand mental health conditions, recognize warning signs, and learn how to seek or offer support.

NAMI Fairbanks provides Ending the Silence presentations in person throughout the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

 

 

Three Presentations for the School Community

Ending the Silence For Students

Designed for middle and high school students, this presentation helps young people learn:

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health conditions
• How to recognize when they or a friend may need help
• What to do and who to talk to when they are concerned
• How stigma can make it harder to ask for help
• Why reaching our for support matters

Students also hear from a young adult who shares their personal experience with a mental health condition and their journey toward recovery.

Ending the Silence For School Staff

This presentation gives teachers, administrators, counselors, and other school personnel practical information to help them recognize signs that a student may be experiencing a mental health challenge.

Participants learn about warning signs, approaches for responding to students with compassion and confidence, and resources available to students and families.

Ending the Silence For Families

Families and caregivers can play an important role in helping young people get support early.

Ending the Silence for Families helps parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults learn about warning signs of mental health conditions, how to talk with a young person about mental health, and what steps they can take when they are concerned.

 

 

What to Expect

Ending the Silence combines practical mental health information, short videos, discussion, and personal experience. Presentations create an opportunity to talk openly about mental health while reinforcing an important message: mental health conditions are treatable, and asking for help is a sign of strength.

Presentations are provided at no cost.

NAMI Fairbanks works with area middle and high schools, school staff, families, parent organizations, and other groups serving young people.

 

 

Bring Ending the Silence to Your School or Group

Would you like to schedule an Ending the Silence presentation for students, staff, or families?

Contact our Education Coordinator at NAMI Fairbanks to learn more or schedule a presentation.

Email: estormont@namifairbanks.org
Phone: 907-456-4704

What Participants Say

“It is amazing what just one day, one talk can do. You never really know what’s going on in the brain of any particular student.”
— Teacher

“I’m really grateful and glad that you talked to us. I often feel very alone or weird because many kids my age don’t understand. But now I’m sure they would be more supportive of me.”
— Student

Learn More

Learn more about NAMI Ending the Silence from NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.