Crisis Support

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line

Text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.

NAMI HelpLine

Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) M–F, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. PT for free mental health info, referrals and support.

Find a Local NAMI

NCHS Club Home Page

Welcome to the NAMI On Campus High School Club Home Page! Here you will find important dates for youth mental health events, upcoming trainings, and reporting deadlines, as well as articles and resources on youth mental health.

NCHS Club Home Page

Post-Event Reports

Did you host an event for your school and/or community? Tell us about it! NAMI California wants to know what our NCHS Clubs are doing for events and who they are reaching. After your club completes an event, please complete a post-event report within a week of the end of the event. Did you take pictures? If those photographed consent, upload them at the end of your report for us to share with the NAMI California community!

The post-event report can be completed by any of the club leaders.

Click here to access Post-Event Report

Upcoming Reporting Deadlines and Updates

New Policy and Procedure Amendment

NAMI California has just released an amendment to our NCHS Manuals to include policies and procedures regarding tabling and media interviews. If you do not receive this amendment or have questions, please contact nchs@namica.org and we will send you a copy and/or provide more clarification. This amendment is affective as of June 2022.

Bi Annual Reports for NCHS Clubs (Due June 1, 2023) 

The Biannual Reports are due twice a year to show NAMI CA and our partners the progress in NCHS clubs and how they are impacting their communities. This is also an opportunity to see where clubs may need more assistance. The report can be completed by either the club leaders or the club advisor, however questions 22 through 28 are best answered with collaboration with all club members and leaders.

*Clubs that were established after April 1st are not required to complete this report as we understand that you may not have had enough to report on too much.

Click here to get started on the report

NCHS Grant Opportunity (Post Event Reports are Due April 5, 2023)

This year grant is a 500$ grant in two payments of 250$, this grant is to support NAMI CA High School Clubs in hosting activities on their campuses to bring mental health awareness. To qualify for this grant clubs must meet the qualifications below.

  • Completed Annual Renewal Form for the 2022-2023 school year or have completed the Endorsement Form and Club Application.
  • Understanding of how you will receive the funds from your school’s finance department.
  • Capacity to: 1) complete 2 events in one academic school year, 2) complete reporting for events within a week after event, 3) complete a pre- and post-survey, 4) Attend at least 2 NCHS Quarterly Support Calls, and 5) communicate with NAMI CA on club updates and other reporting if needed.
  • If approved for this grant, you will receive $250 after we receive final signatures on your club’s MOU and a signed invoice. After hosting your second event and completing the post-event report you will receive an additional $250 for a total of $500 for the school year.

Youth and General Mental Health Events

NCHS Trainings and Support Calls

NAMI California in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE) will be hosting several virtual trainings throughout the school year.

The NCHS Training consists of two parts: Mental Health and Stigma Education and Club Sustainability. This includes a NAMI Ending the Silence presentation with additional information regarding mental health and stigma presented by NAMI CA and CDE hosts. The second half of the training will cover information to help clubs learn how make their club sustain for years to come. NAMI CA invites a club representative* to join the training and give a 15-minute presentation on their club experience. They discuss club recruitment, activities, events, and successful outreach tactics. Throughout the training we incorporate different activities for the participants to engage in. By the end of the training, we hope that the participants gain a better understanding about mental health, stigma, and available resources, as well as learn how to build a long-lasting club on their campus.

This training is available to both those completing the NCHS Club start up requirements as well as established NCHS clubs. The NCHS Virtual Training includes several activities that utilize breakout rooms for students and advisors to meet other NCHS members across the state. All participants must attend from their own separate device.

Two-day sessions will go from 4:00pm to 6:30pm both days (unless stated otherwise). If you will be late or leave early, please contact the NCHS Coordinator prior to the day of the training. If you are attending for your last NCHS Club start up requirement you must attend at least 4.5/5 hours of the training to receive credit.

Click the date your club wants to attend (please attend with at least 3 people from your club and your advisor):

Fall Semester:

September 28-29 
October 26-27 *
November 9-10 *

Spring Semester:

January 25-26 *
February 22-23 *
March 22-23 (POSTPONED)
April 26-27 *
May 24-25 *

Note: all dates with * are tentative dates

Quarterly Support Calls For NCHS Clubs

These Support Calls are for all NCHS Club advisors/members to seek advice, troubleshoot any problems, and celebrate victories within your club. Each support call is held for 1 hour, from 4:00p-5:00pm.

September 15, 2022

January 19, 2022 

March 16, 2022

May 18, 2022

Leadership and Funding Opportunities

NAMI California Youth Advisory Committee (Pilot)

NAMI California Youth Advisory Committee is a group of passionate young adult mental health advocates who provide insight into the needs and wants of their peers. With the guidance from the young minds in the committee, NAMI California can better serve young adults through developing potential new programs, services, or resources for youth and their families.

NAMI California is starting a new project that we hope will help build young leaders and bring the youth voice into our planning. We are starting off with a pilot group of young folk who are passionate about mental health and have the availability to get involved with assisting with event planning and giving input on our youth driven projects. NAMI CA Youth Advisory Committee members will gain skills and experience such as: leadership development, teamwork skills, networking, and project planning. All participants under the age of 18 must get approval of parent/guardian before signing up.

If you are interested in participating, contact Angelica Magana, angelica@namica.org.

NCHS Club Activity and Event Ideas

NAMI Ending the Silence

NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.

NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma.

What you will get:

  • Free of cost to schools and communities
  • NAMI Ending the Silence for Students: 50-minute presentation designed for middle and high school students that includes warning signs, facts and statistics and how to get help for themselves or a friend. Research has shown that NAMI Ending the Silence for Students is effective in changing middle and high school students’ knowledge and attitudes toward mental health conditions and toward seeking help
  • NAMI Ending the Silence for School Staff: 1-hour presentation for school staff members that includes information about warning signs, facts and statistics, how to approach students and how to work with families
  • NAMI Ending the Silence for Families: 1-hour presentation for adults with middle or high school aged youth that includes warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child and how to work with school staff

Schedule an Ending the Silence Presentation

If you would like to host a NAMI Ending the Silence presentation at your school, contact your local NAMI Affiliate. If the presentation isn’t already available, there is another alternative to request the NEW online presentation option, click here. 

LivingWorks Start

LivingWorks Start teaches valuable skills to everyone 13 and older and requires no formal training or prior experience in suicide prevention.

In just 90 minutes online, LivingWorks Start teaches trainees to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support.

When you sign up for LivingWorks Start training, you’ll learn a powerful four-step model to keep someone safe from suicide, and you’ll have a chance to practice it with impactful simulations.

Safety resources and support are available throughout the program.

If you have questions or want to bring this training to your team or organization, we’re here to help—just email start@livingworks.net.

 

Club Members Raising Their Voices on Mental Health

Central East is first Valley high school to start mental health club

March 15, 2023

n early March NAMI Club president Dormesal Manifal says they opened a clothing closet for students.

“I’m really excited for those who would like to have a piece of attire to make them feel good where they feel confident in an interview.”

Having the right clothes can boost confidence. Any student in need can walk away with an outfit or suit plus shoes. The club’s mission is to include and stop the stigma tied to mental health.

“The more we talk about these issues, the more we make it a more normal conversation, the more we’re gonna see that students feel comfortable having conversations with their peers.”

The Executive Director of NAMI Fresno Christina Roup, credits the students for creating change.

“The involvement and the work is really driven by the students who have a passion about really improving the environment and normalizing the conversation about mental health and challenges we experience.”

Central East students share with their peers that it’s okay to be different, just be yourself.

Stanislaus County NAMI On Campus High School Clubs Featured in the Modesto Bee

August 17, 2021

NAMI On Campus High School Club Members from Modesto High School and Turlock High School were interviewed by the Modesto Bee to highlight all the work they do for their fellow classmates on their high school campuses. The article talks about the unique opportunity Stanislaus high schools are given through a grant with the Stanislaus County Office of Education. Check out the article by clicking the link below!

High school mental health clubs let stressed students know they’re not crazy, not alone

Crystal Widado, President of Healthy Minds at Glendora High School, participated as the writing director in Each Mind Magazine’s Issue Two: Clarity

May 7, 2021:

Issue Two: Clarity

Through written works, Each Mind focused on gaining clarity as we go through our teenage years. Poetry and personal essays share experiences with mental health, while articles help gain insight into broader societal issues.

The Central Grizzlies NAMI On-Campus Club at 4th Annual Central Valley Convening on Student Mental Health and Well-Being, for 2021 focused on Understanding Youth Suicide and Effective Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Strategies. 

March 11, 2021:

The Central Grizzlies NAMI On-Campus Club raises awareness on issues related to youth mental health. This club started just a few years ago and has already gained recognition from local teachers, the Central Unified School District, and Fresno County. See how this club continues to raise the bar across the region for youth mental health awareness.

Presenters: Paul Mirmingos, Club Advisor Emily Avila, Student Club Member Shaelynn Yang, Student Club Member

Want to be featured? Email NCHS@namica.org to inform us about any interviews, articles, or events where your club is highlighted.

Active NAMI on Campus High School Clubs

Want to follow other NCHS Clubs across California? Here is a list of all the clubs who are currently on Instagram. If your club has an account and it is not listed, please email NCHS@namica.org and we will update the list.

Alameda County

Butte

  • Chico High School

Contra Costa County

El Dorado County

  • Oak Ridge High School

Fresno County

Glendale

  • Boyle Heights Continuation School
  • Le Grande High School

Greater Los Angeles 

Kern County

Long Beach

  • Intellectual Virtues Academy

Merced

Monterey

  • Rancho San Juan High School

Mt. San Jacinto

  • Tahquitz High School- @nami_ths
  • John W. North High School- @northsnami
  • Ramona High School
  • Alessandro High School- @alessandro.nami
  • Hemet High School
  • Arlington High School
  • West Valley High School

Orange County

Pomona Valley

Riverside County

  • California Military Institute
  • Poly High School- Rivpolynami

Sacramento County

  • Florin High School- @florinhighnami
  • Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep
  • Sheldon High School
  • Vista Del Largo High School

San Bernardino 

San Diego 

  • Imperial High School
  • Brawley Union High School- @n.a.m.i_buhs
  • Calexico High School- @Chsnami2022
  • Martin Luther King Jr. High School
  • Del Norte High School- @dnhsnami
  • Helix High School- @helix.nami
  • San Dieguito High School- @nami.sda
  • San Marcos High School
  • Coronado High School
  • The Learning Choice La Mesa
  • Eastlake High School- @eastlake.nami 
  • SIATech Charter High School
  • School for Entrepreneurship and Technology

San Fernando Valley

San Gabriel Valley

  • Baldwin Park High School
  • Glendora High School
  • San Marino High School- @smhs.nchs
  • Flintridge Preparatory School- @prepmha

San Luis Obispo

Santa Clara County

  • Los Altos High School- @lahsnami
  • Los Gatos High School- @catstocatslg
  • Live Oak High School- @namilohs
  • Mountain View High School
  • Artesia High School
  • Olympian High School

Sonoma County

  • Maria Carrillo High School
  • Orchard View School

South Bay

  • Burton Technology Academy High School
  • Redondo Union High School

Stanislaus County

Tehama County

Temecula

  • Murrieta Mesa High School

Tri-Valley

  • Amador Valley High School

Tulare County

Urban LA

Westside LA

Whitter

  • Applied Technology Center- @atc.nami
  • La Serna High School

Youth Mental Health Resources

Check out our Youth Mental Health Resource Page!

Want to help parents and caregivers understand how to support their students going back to school? Watch the recording from our Town Hall with the California Department of Education discussing Supporting Youth Mental Health in the Transition Back to the Classroom.

This Town Hall will focus on how to support students as they shift back to in-person learning. Monica Nepomuceno from the California Department of Education will share quick tips and strategies for helping children and youth with transitioning from distance to in-person learning as well as inform participants about state-led projects that support student mental wellbeing.