ECHS NAMI PARENT INFORMATION LETTER

ECHS has joined efforts with NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) to help end mental health stigma and to educate students on mental health resources in our area. 

November 6, 2019

El Camino High School is thrilled to announce that we are forming the ECHS NAMI on Campus High School (ECHS NAMI) Club! NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and NAMI on Campus is a program designed by NAMI California. NAMI provides support, advocacy, education and services to families and loved ones whose lives are touched by mental illness. 

ECHS NAMI is a mental health awareness club for students and teachers on our high school campus. The purpose is to create a dialogue at ECHS about mental health and well-being to help eliminate the stigma of mental illness. It is not a support or therapy group. Students are encouraged to join and learn more about mental health, warning signs of mental illness, how to seek help for themselves or others, and how to be a supportive friend to someone experiencing a mental illness. 

Research shows that 1 out of every 5 U.S. adults have a diagnosable mental illness, and that 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24. With this in mind, we would like to draw your attention to the fact the NAMI website posts information about specific mental illnesses, their signs and symptoms and how those suffering can get help. It is also important to remember- mental illness is NOT rare, it IS common, and it IS treatable! Please visit https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions for more information.

Each Mind Matters (EMM) is California’s mental health movement and another organization that NAMI CA has partnered with to help spread mental health awareness. Their goal is to unite people wanting to stand up to stigma and create a community that feels safe and supported in reaching out for help. For information about EMM, please visit www.eachmindmatters.org

For local resources, support, questions about NAMI on Campus or NAMI CA please contact NAMI California at (916) 567-0163 or locally NAMI San Diego (619) 543-1434. They may help connect you to services in your community. 

If you have any questions about ECHS NAMI, please contact the club advisors, Mrs. Brinkerhoff or Mrs. Felix at (760) 901-8031.