October is National Depression and Health Screening Month and Becca Lane, Youth and Young Adult Education and Outreach Manager at National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) discussed the organization founded by families living with mental illness, offering references and peer based support to you, family members, friends, and relatives of those dealing with day-to-day issues of living with a mental illness.  We discussed the recent long-awaited implementation of the national 3-digit emergency number, 988, and how it will help those in a mental health crisis receive an informed response. She talked about the many informational classes and resources offered through NAMI, for families, educators and students.  Age-appropriate classroom materials such as Ending the Silence, are designed to help students seek help and recognize and respond to friends needs.

If in crisis, please call 988 or text to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling.  If you’re calling 988 or 911 ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer.

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)

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