Preparing children for a new school year typically involves buying new clothes, replacing last year's backpack, and stocking up on new school equipment. Often overlooked are other important issues such as a child's feelings and emotions about starting or returning to school. The theme for this year's campaign is "15+ Make Time to Listen, Take Time to Talk." The 15+ program was developed by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to help parents and kids talk about everyday issues and tough topics. NMHA is working to adapt and promote the program for community use. The 15+ theme stresses the importance of positive parent-child communication in the emotional development and educational success of children.

Download Back to Campus Kit

The "Back to School" kit contains a number of materials to help NMHA affiliates and other groups spread this and other mental health messages, including:

1. Planning materials:
• Activity Planner
• Fast Facts
• Calendar
• Resource List
• Reading list for schools and parents


2. Parent outreach materials: "Children's Mental Health Matters" fact sheets on
• Good Mental Health (55 kb PDF)
• Overscheduled Child (55 kb PDF)
• AD/HD (61 kb PDF)
• Anxiety (51 kb PDF)
• Depression (55 kb PDF)
• Bipolar Disorder (57 kb PDF)


3. Media outreach materials:
• Drop-in article
• Swiss-cheese press release
• Radio PSA scripts

In addition, stay tuned to this site for new 15+ conversation starter cards and a brochure on bullying coming early this Fall.

(c) 2005 National Mental Health Association. All rights reserved.

Link:

• Address Discrimination and Stigma Center: Education