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Dear
Educator,
I’m writing to invite you to participate in an important effort that can help save
lives and provide your school with free materials addressing young people and depression.
You, and many of our colleagues, have been heroic in responding to the large number of
students who present with depression, suicidal risk, and self-endangering behaviors.
Some school districts have coped with clusters of students who died or barely survived
suicide attempts and unexplained accidents. These incidents are increasing while the
economy and school resources are strained. So we’re offering a free set of practical
tools to help foster dialogue and create a culture in which these topics can be more
openly discussed. We’re confident this will result in kids feeling more comfortable
asking an adult for help – and then receiving and accept help more quickly.
McLean Hospital and Blake Works are offering a free copy of the powerful DVD Depression:
True Stories (25-min), the booklet Words Can Work: When Talking About Depression,
and the opportunity to participate in a free one-hour Webinar training addressing
depression in young people and how to effectively use the DVD with your students.
The Webinar training is April 16, 2009 3 PM to 4 PM. Dr. Joseph Gold, Chief
Medical Officer at McLean Hospital and I will facilitate this training.
The first 150 schools to register will receive the complimentary DVD. Only
those schools who commit to participating in the free Webinar will receive the DVD. (Open
only to educators and other school personnel from Massachusetts middle and high schools.)
Visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/277437387
to register.
Packages
of materials are limited to one per registered school. However, additional personnel from
registered schools can participate in the Webinar training at no charge.
We will ship your school’s DVD two weeks before the Webinar giving personnel time
to view it prior to the training.
The project goals are to:
·
Raise
awareness about depression as a treatable illness;
·
Increase
skills in identifying and responding to students with depression;
·
Increase
the likelihood that those with depression will seek and accept medical treatment;
·
Train
you in the best use of the DVD with students (grades 6 through college);
·
Save
lives.
We’re confident that the Webinar, DVD and Words Can Work booklet will be
valuable in your work with students and parents/caregivers. (see comments below)
You can contact us with questions at info@wordscanwork.com or call
978.282.1663. Learn more about us at www.wordscanwork.com
Please feel free to send this invitation to colleagues at other Massachusetts middle
and high schools.
We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you online in April.
Best regards,
Jeanne Blake
President, Blake Works
Title:
Depression:
True Stories Webinar
Date:
Thursday,
April 16, 2009
Time:
3:00
PM - 4:00 PM EDT
After
registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the
Webinar.
System
Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based
attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
The
Resources
Depression: True Stories (25-minute
DVD with discussion guide)
Three young adults from diverse backgrounds tell their compelling stories of living with
and recovering from depression. They describe how early treatment can transform and save
lives.
Words Can Work: When Talking About Depression (52-page booklet)
Young adults tell their true stories. Experts offer facts, strategies, and the words to
help young people and families have potentially lifesaving conversations.
Depression: True Stories was produced with advisors from McLean Hospital, Mass
General Hospital and the National Institute for Mental Health.
What People are Saying About Depression: True Stories
"Counselors
are always seeking valuable materials to utilize to facilitate groups and make a
difference in the lives of youth. As a counselor, I was thrilled as I viewed the
video, Depression: True Stories. It is my belief that students will be able
to connect to the video and be inspired to do what it takes to live healthy and address
their mental health issues.”
Donna Hankins, Counselor
Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School
"I recently used Depression: True Stories in a sophomore health class
about depression. The students were engaged and the stories seemed to help them get
a good understanding of what it is really like to suffer with depression vs. just going
over symptoms and warning signs. It is a tool we will use in health and wellness
classes for years to come."
Kim Fahlen, MFT, Director of Student Counseling
The Branson School
“I have shown Depression: True Stories to my classes (11th graders) and
had them write a reaction to the film. Their responses while individual in nature all had
a common theme. The students wrote that they enjoyed the fact the DVD had “real”
people and their “real” story. They appreciated that the DVD showed a variety of
individuals dispelling the myth that only certain people become depressed. The students
appreciated having actual accounts of depression with a variety of treatment options used.
As an educator, I enjoyed having a new realistic approach to discussing a difficult topic
and having an opportunity for students to share their feelings and examine their own
mental health.”
Kathleen Crowley, Assistant Dean of Students
Brooks School
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