Every teacher typically has at least three children in their class living with a mental health condition. Chances are that 50% of them are not receiving the care they need -- often because they are embarrassed to talk about it.


At NAMI Fox Valley, we know that these children are not alone. Caring and observant teachers, schools and parents/caregivers are looking for ways to help. One great way to start is by inviting NAMI Fox Valley into your classroom to present one of our mental health education sessions for students.

NAMI Fox Valley's classroom presentations are designed to break down stigma, increase mental health literacy and encourage help-seeking behavior. Presentations are customized for elementary, middle and high school classrooms. Read descriptions and request presentations below. 

" I feel like everyone needs to hear this no matter what situation they might be in. It is very beneficial for those struggling." - Student

Questions? Contact NAMI Fox Valley's outreach program director, Megan Zimmerman, at mzimmerman@namifoxvalley.org.
Mental Health Chat is a 30-45 minute presentation designed for 3rd or 4th graders. The goals of the presentation are to: educate students about NAMI and mental health conditions; help students understand that getting medical help for a mental illness is similar to getting medical help for a broken arm or the flu; educate students on the commonness of mental illness (1 in 5 statistic); provide positive coping skills for dealing with strong emotions; and help students identify a trusted adult (in school and outside of school) that they can talk to if they are feeling strong emotions. Request This Presentation
Ending the Silence is an evidence-based 45-60 minute presentation that helps students learn about the warning signs of a mental health condition and what steps to take if they or someone they care about is showing signs/symptoms of a mental health condition. Request This Presentation
Teen Mental Health 101 is a 60 minute presentation designed for high school students that is meant to expand upon the information gained in the Ending the Silence presentation. The presentation covers: the adverse effects of mental health stigma; warning signs of diagnoses prevalent in teens; mental health treatment options and the importance of seeking out treatment early in life; and healthy coping mechanisms. Request This Presentation
Anxiety & Depression in Teens is a 60-minute presentation designed for high school students that delves into the warning signs specific to anxiety and depression in teens; the importance of early treatment for a mental health condition; and numerous healthy coping strategies if a person is experiencing challenges with their mental well-being. Request This Presentation
Anxiety & Stress in Teens is a 60-minute presentation designed for high school students that covers: the different stressors that can impact a teen’s mental health; the differences between stress and anxiety; healthy coping mechanisms & stress management skills to utilize if an individual is feeling overwhelmed; and the practice of mindfulness as a tool to improve overall stress levels. Request This Presentation
Teen Suicide Prevention & Awareness is a 60-minute presentation that debunks common myths surrounding suicide. The presentation covers: the warning signs that may indicate someone is thinking about suicide; how to reach out and respond using the appropriate resources; and healthy coping strategies specific to suicidality. Request This Presentation
Not finding exactly what you’re looking for from the options above? We are happy to work with you to create a presentation that fits your students’ unique needs. Simply let us know the criteria and we will work to put something together. Because it will take longer for us to accommodate scheduling for a customized presentation, we ask that you please account for this when making your request.