This document provides guidance for students on developing and implementing a plan to reduce stigma related to mental health in their school. It outlines 4 steps: 1) gather interested students and staff support; 2) hold an initial meeting; 3) create an action plan with activities; 4) develop a communication strategy and hold activities. It includes examples of potential anti-stigma activities and tips for securing support and involving the media. The overall message is empowering students to take action to promote acceptance and understanding of mental health issues.

1. TAMI Summit 2008

2. Now is the time for change… What does STIGMA look like in your school now? How is your school dealing with STIGMA? What will you do differently as an individual after being part of the summit today?

3. Has your school had the T.A.M.I. project in their classrooms? This is a great place to start. See about booking one for your school.

4. Welcome to the new… To build on the work of today’s Summit Assist students with their plans To reduce stigma .

5. Gather together interested people who can assist you with your plan to Stomp out Stigma. Start with those who attended the Summit and have them talk it up amongst their friends. You will also need the support of a school administrator and/or teacher who can act as your champion within the school. Step One:

6. Step Two: Call your first meeting. Send out notices, put it on the announcements and let everyone know where and when it is. How about inviting a member of the T.A.M.I. Coalition out to help you get started? Contact Whitby Mental Health Centre at 905-668-5881 ext. 6014 or [email_address] to be connected to a coalition representative. Don’t forget to take notes and let people know what it is they are expected to do. (See sample Meeting Notes) Plan the rest of your meetings dates and times now so that people can put it in their agendas.

7. Step Three: Spend some time making an action plan. Look at the activities that have been suggested, think up your own, be creative and have fun. (see blank Activity Page) Try and get people to be in charge of activities that really interest them. This may reinforce their commitment.

11. Fill in your calendar of activities remembering that the best way to make change . Try to do one activity a semester. (see Activity Calendar)

13. Move ahead with your action plans and host some activities. Don’t forget to talk about each activity once it is over so that people can express what they liked, didn’t like and what they would do differently next time. Step Four:

14. Don’t forget about the media… Do you have a promotion plan for each event. Develop a communication strategy that coincides with your event calendar. Be sure to work with school staff to ensure that you have the support of your school principal. press releases news articles public service announcements interviews photographing events

15. Don’t forget about the media… School board web site School newsletter School announcements School bulletin boards School radio station School board media dept. Local community newspapers Local business associations newsletters, websites Local mental health or youth agency websites, newsletters Local television stations Local radio stations Municipal recreation dept. websites Local libraries

16. “ Activity In A box.” You have been given two “ Activities in a Box”…to help you with your anti-stigma work…

17. To get started: get permission from your school administrator to do this activity. find the best venue to run the powerpoint, classrooms, hallways, cafeterias etc... let it run and listen to what your school community is saying about it. you could add in announcements talking about the presentation and why you are running it. “ Wall Fame ”

18. “ Music to Your Ears” To get started: get permission from your school administrator to do this activity. find the best venue to run the Powerpoint, classrooms, hallways, cafeterias etc... let it run and listen to what your school community is saying about it. you could add in announcements talking about the presentation and why you are running it. Singer/Musician Band Hit Song(s) Mental Illness Jimmy Hendrix “ Purple Haze” Bipolar Disorder Axl Rose Guns n’ Roses “ Sweet Child o' Mine", Bipolar Disorder Earl Simmons DMX “ Ruff Ryders Anthem” Bipolar Disorder Brain Wilson The Beach Boys “ Surfin USA” Bipolar Disorder Paula Abdul “ Straight Up” Bulimia Nervosa Syd Barret Pink Floyd “ Another Brick Wall” Schizophrenia Karen Carpenter The Carpenters “ Top of the World” Anorexia Nervosa Ray Charles “ I Can See Clearly Now” Clinical Depression Eric Clapton “ Tears in Heaven” Clinical Depression Kurt Cobain Nirvana “ Smells Like Teen Spirit” “ Come as You Are” Clinical Depression Sheryl Crow “ Soak up the Sun” Clinical Depression Connie Francis “ Stupid Cupid” Clinical Depression Judy Garland “ Somewhere over the rainbow”” Clinical depression & Substance Abuse Peter Greene Fleetwood Mac “ Landslide” “ Don’t Stop” Schizophrenia Sir Elton John “ Candle in the Wind” Bulimia Nervosa, Alcoholism, & Substance Abuse Courtney Love Hole “ Celebrity Skin” Clinical Depression Sarah McLachlan “ Angel” Clinical Depression Alanis Morissette “ Ironic” Clinical Depression Steven Patrick Morrissey “ The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get” Clinical Depression Donny Osmond “ Little a bit Country” Clinical Depression & Social Phobia Marie Osmond “ Little a bit Country” Clinical Post-Partum Depression Dolly Parton “ Working 9 to 5” Clinical Depression Cole Porter Composer “ Can-Can” Clinical depression, Alcoholism, Paranoid Delusions, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Charley Pride “ Honky Tonk Blues” Bipolar Disorder & Alcoholism Carly Simon “ You’re so Vain” Social Phobia Paul Simon Musician “ Ceila” Clinical Depression Rick Springfield “ Jessie’s Girl” Clinical Depression Sting (Gordon Summer) The Police “ Roxanne” Clinical Depression Barbra Streisand “ The Way We Were” Social Phobia James Taylor “ How Sweet it is (to be loved by you)” Clinical Depression Tammy Wynette “ Stand by Your Man” Clinical Depression & Substance Abuse Billy Joel “ Piano Man” Clinical Depression Ozzy Osborne Black Sabbath “ Iron Man” “ Crazy Train” Clinical Depression & Alcoholism Robbie Williams “ Millenium” Clinical Depression Ludwig Van Beethoven Composer “ Beethoven’s 5 th Symphony” Bipolar Disorder Janet Jackson “ Rhythm Nation” Clinical Depression John Lennon The Beatles “ Let it be” Clinical Depression

19. Let’s make it happen… What do you think will work in your school? - brainstorm ideas What staff person do you think would help champion your cause? Remember daretodreamprogram.ca for funding!

20. “ Be the change you want to see.” Ghandi