Community Connections, Spring 2002
The
CMHP Team in Warren and Washington Counties has a goal to educate
and promote the awareness of mental health issues among middle and/or
high school students and school educators through the use of the NAMI
Nassau/Queens and NAMI-NYS mental health curriculum, "Breaking the
Silence - Teaching the next generation about mental illness."
The team is also working to help members of the Stigma Action Coalition
to become more aware of mental health concerns among students and educators.
In 2001, the bulk of their efforts have been preparatory. It was necessary
to get the school environment prepared for the work they plan to accomplish.
The team worked to get to know school people, to discover what their needs
are, and how to best meet those needs. They have developed a teacher questionnaire
for this purpose. These efforts broadened their contact list significantly.
The team is particularly excited about "Get Psyched," their
1st Annual Mental Health School Project, which launched in March 2002.
The aim of "Get Psyched" is to take a closer look at depression
and how it can lead to substance abuse and other issues in teens. Lesson
plans will be distributed to participants, promoting the program. The
program also has a newsletter of the same name, geared toward teen issues.
The first issue dealt with anxiety, self-esteem issues, bullying, and
handling stress.
For more information on the Warren-Washington CMHP program, contact Team
Leader Karen Padowicz at (518) 747-2284 ext. 237
posted
4/9/02
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