NAMI Central PA urges early mental-health supports for students, offers free programs and crisis resources

On a May episode of the Higher Education Access Corner, host Tiffany DeVan spoke with Jessica Briggs and Hadiya Amini of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Central PA about youth mental-health trends, free local programs and crisis resources including 988 and The Trevor Project.

Briggs, a representative of NAMI Central PA, said early intervention matters because many mental-health conditions begin in adolescence: “50 percent of all mental illnesses begin by the age 14,” she said, and she cited national surveys showing high prevalence among adolescents. The discussion came during Mental Health Awareness Month and focused on resources for students and families.

Speakers detailed the services NAMI Central PA offers and how adults can support young people. Briggs described peer-to-peer education and support offerings: an eight-week peer-to-peer course for people living with mental-health challenges; a connections support group for adults 18 and up; an eight-week Family-to-Family course and NAMI Basics for parents and guardians of people 21 and younger; and a virtual youth support group that allows participants to remain anonymous if they wish. “You can be on camera, or you can have your camera turned off,” Briggs said of the virtual group. She emphasized that NAMI’s local services are free and that fundraising covers costs when needed.

Both Briggs and Amini discussed classroom and campus-focused programs. Briggs described Teen Mental Health First Aid curriculum used in schools, which frames mental health on a continuum from "green" (healthy) through "yellow" (stressed) to "red" (crisis). She said the program teaches students to identify changes in peers’ behavior and to name adults they trust. “We create a circle of trust, and they name at least four adults in their life that they can trust,” Briggs said. Briggs also highlighted NAMI on Campus, a student-led club that can serve as a support or advocacy group.

Amini, a representative of NAMI Central PA, emphasized community responsibility for noticing and acting when someone shows signs of distress. “We should take an action,” she said, urging friends and family to reach out, consult clinicians when appropriate and use available supports.

The guests named specific, anonymous crisis resources for immediate help: the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth. Briggs called 988 “an invaluable resource,” noting callers can remain anonymous or provide identifying information as they choose. The program’s recommendations also include trusted local supports and school-based contacts.

Local outreach events and partnerships were described. NAMI Central PA recently partnered with Midtown Cinema and 0 Day Brewing in Harrisburg to screen Inside Out and Inside Out 2 as a way to start conversations with children about emotions. Briggs and Amini said the group is developing a youth ambassador program that begins with a weeklong day camp in Harrisburg for people ages 16 to 24, with lunch provided by local businesses and no residency requirement; the hosts said the camp will take place in July, with exact dates to be posted on NAMI Central PA’s website. The organization also works with Dauphin County on suicide-prevention activities.

Briggs and Amini urged adults to model openness about mental health and stated that asking someone directly about suicidal thoughts does not “put the thought into their head.” Briggs said direct questions can show concern: “If you ask someone point blank, ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’ … it will let them know that you see them. It will let them know that you are concerned and that you care.”

For more information, Briggs directed listeners to NAMIcentralpa.org and NAMI Central PA’s pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok; she said the group will post camp details and aims to expand virtual youth support meetings. For immediate crises, guests reiterated that people should call or text 988 or contact The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth.