NAMI stands for “National Alliance on Mental Health.” It is a club that brings awareness to mental health as well as providing resources for those who need them. NAMI was founded in 1979, and started with small groups of families. NAMI also works to end the stigma that surrounds mental health. Hughson High School has decided to have NAMI as an option for a club to inform students, staff, and teachers about what “mental health” actually means.
Jameelah Cordano, a school counselor at Hughson High, is the advisor for NAMI. She wants to make sure that students have a safe space to come to and to educate people about mental health. She said, “It ties in with my role as a school counselor, working to end the stigma surrounding mental health/illness.” NAMI has a mental health awareness week to spread awareness. Cordano said, “Our club gets to go to HES and lead a lesson with all of the third grade classes.” Cordano enjoys working with students who are passionate about what they are learning about. She said, “Our club is great for everyone! You don’t have to struggle with mental health to be a part of it. It is a great opportunity for students to be a part of something bigger than themselves and to make HHS a more inclusive, safe space for ALL students.”
Amy Alvarado and Andrea Gonzalez are co-presidents of NAMI. Amy wanted to join NAMI because she wanted to learn more about mental health. Amy said, “The best part of NAMI is the community that is built and how many fun activities we do to bring awareness to mental health.” The event she is looking forward to the most is the NAMI Youth Summit. Andrea joined NAMI because she was interested in the message the club was trying to spread. When asked about the best part of being in this club, she said, “The best part about NAMI is the people. Everyone is very welcoming and you get to meet a lot of amazing and kind people.” She is looking forward to the opportunities NAMI offers to teach others about mental health. Andrea said, “NAMI is not only about addressing mental illness, but also also a community where, members or not, people can help each other learn more about mental health. Our overall goal is to end the stigma surrounding mental health.”
Rehanna Wahab, NAMI’s vice president, joined NAMI because she wanted to learn and advocate for those who struggle with mental illnesses. Rehanna said, “I would say the best part of NAMI is being able to connect with a supportive community of individuals who understand the challenges of living or supporting loved ones with mental health conditions. She also added that she is looking forward to the workshops NAMI attends to educate members about mental health. She said, “Something I would like others to know is that being a part of NAMI allows you to contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, creating a more inclusive environment for those affected.” Rehanna wants to have a better understanding about mental health, and she wants to impact the community by being educated and informed.
