United Way of the Midlands and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mid-Carolina present “Ending the Silence”

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 24, 2020) – United Way of the Midlands will host an “Ending the Silence” virtual training on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 3-4 p.m., led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) South Carolina to help middle and high school parents, educators and youth service providers learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take when symptoms of a mental health condition are present.

The presentation includes:

• Warning signs
• Facts and statistics of mental health conditions
• Suicide awareness and prevention
• How to approach your child, youth or student
• How to work with families, caregivers and school staff

"The program will raise awareness about mental conditions and promote dialogues between youth and those closest to them,” said Robin McCants, Regional Program Manager with NAMI South Carolina. “It will provide an opportunity for parents, educators and youth service providers to recognize the early warning signs and empower them to make a lasting difference in the lives of the youth closest to them.”

According to the Institute of Medicine, about 20 percent of children living in the United States experience a mental health disorder in any given year.

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss.

Disruptions to daily life during the pandemic, anxiety about contracting COVID-19 and social isolation are also taking a toll on the mental health of our youth according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.