Student leaders sought for new NAMI club at STHS

There is a brand new club at South Tahoe High School that needs the help of student leaders to bring awareness about mental health to their fellow students on campus. Together, the students will work to end the stigma and made it understood that its okay to seek help, and where and when to find it.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of El Dorado County has spearheaded the new club which is called "STHS NAMI On Campus/Brain Health Leadership Club."

With 50 percent of all students showing signs of mental health issues by age 14 and 75 percent showing signs by age 24, it is imperative youth know how to deal with such symptoms in order to protect the brain's health and their long-term ability to thrive.

The club will help those interested in learning about a career in neuroscience, biology, cognitive science, counseling, psychiatry, social work, crisis intervention, chemistry, brain research, nursing, biology, education, substance abuse or the like.

This is also another great opportunity for students to add "NAMI On Campus Leader" to their competitive college applications.

The first meeting of NAMI On Campus will be Monday, November 6 during lunch, 12:40 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in room A6. Pizza will be served.

This club will work together to end stigma on campus, to make it broadly understood that is okay to seek help, to ensure everyone knows how and where to seek help, to ensure everyone is proactive in helping friends find help and to ensure the campus is a welcoming place for everyone. The club will focus on brain health and we will learn about careers that leverage brain science.

Students will hear from a variety of guests including mental health professionals,
neuroscience college majors, and more. Students will gain strength in recognizing psychosis, depression, addictive behaviors and how to get early intervention; how to articulate the risk to a still-developing-teen-brain of drug use; and why understanding genetics (and trauma) play a role in both prevention and recovery.

NAMI El Dorado County's leader in South Lake Tahoe will be facilitating the club - but the club as a whole is student led.

For more information, contact Jeanne Nelson at 650-740-5776 or by email at f2fnami@gmail.com.