1. STANDING TOGETHER TO END STIGMA! BY: DILLAN, MIKE, DAVID, DAVID S. ZION, TENIKA, OLIVIA, NOAH, AND RILEY.

2. #STANDTOGETHER Stand together is an project through Pittsburgh Cares a local non profit organization There are 10 middle and high school participating We want to stand together to end the stigma

3. OUR TEAM! Assembly Dillan, Mike, David A, David S. Zion, Tenika, Olivia, Noah, and Riley. Our team of 20 students attended two full day workshops to learn more about how can we lead our school to end stigma Why do we have mannequins here with us today? Our mannequins are part of our project to represent the message to stop stigma. As you leave today, please take a look at the inspiring messages and symbols on the mannequins.

4. WHAT IS STIGMA? Stigma is the negative belief and attitude about mental health. Here is a video that describes how stigma can be like the “elephant in the room.”elephant in the room Stigma is a concept that society created. It describes negative perceptions and stereotypes associated with mental health disorders which often prevents them from getting help. Stigma reinforces inaccurate perceptions of people with mental health disorders. “Stigma is shame… shame causes silence… and silence hurts us all…”

5. WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? Like physical health, “mental health” describes our psychological wellness People should be treated respectfully no matter how they look or if they have a mental illness We need people to feel comfortable with who they are so they feel comfortable opening up, and get help if needed Decreasing the stigma helps to cut down on poor school performance, bullying, and students feeling embarrassed to get help.

6. GUEST SPEAKER Please help us welcome Emily Ahlin. Emily just finished her freshman year at the University of Pittsburgh where she is a Political Science major. At the university, she is involved in their chapter of Active Minds, a national organization committed to eliminating the stigma behind mental health disorders. Next year she will serve as the fundraising chair. Emily is also a Girl Scout and in her spare time, you’ll find her on the internet. ECS, let’s welcome Emily together.

7. HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW UP? If you are 14 or older and have an account, follow STAND TOGETHER on Facebook and/or Twitter. Sign the pledge! Visit standtogether.pittsburghcares.org to sign the pledge to end stigma.

8. TOMORROW: STAND TOGETHER DAY IN HOMEBASE Each home base will receive a canvas and paint. Home bases can choose how they would like to represent how our school is standing together to end the stigma. Please complete these paintings by the end of the day on Friday. (We will be using the paintings for a presentation on Tuesday.) Take turns getting on the computer to sign the pledge!

9. THANK YOU Thank you for your attention and thoughtfulness during our presentation. For more information about Stand Together, please ask one of the twenty 7 th and 8 th grade student participants. If you have any questions about mental health or are wondering how to get some support, please reach out to a trusted adult at school, and/or Mrs. Szolna, our counselor.