Max Schachter co-founder of Safe Schools for Alex and a parent who lost a child at the Parkland shooting, asked me to join him last night for a virtual presentation to an AEPi fraternity at a university. The fraternity requested a presentation on mental health in addition to his, so Max reached out to me for the mental health presentation since I am a mental health speaker for college students as well as K-12 students.
This fraternity has embraced Safe Schools for Alex as a cause and supports the nonprofit with a fundraiser. Both of us made presentations, each on our respective topics–Max on school safety and I did the mental health presentation for students.
See the Mental health presentation for university students, fraternities, and sororities
I start with my story and weave in education on substance misuse and suicide and empowering young people with strategies to help themselves and others.
My self-care step after a mental health presentation
After such an emotionally charged presentation, I feel a bit empty so I ask that attendees of my mental health presentations tell me one thing they learned.
In a virtual environment, this is in the chat (in-person this is by index card) and this feedback fills me back up and inspires me. It’s a way for me to take a piece of my audience with me.
Comments from the AEPi fraternity brothers are below.
One thing I learned…
Get the mental health and suicide prevention speaker/trainer overview for schools and universities
AnneMoss Rogers is a leading wellness and suicide education expert and one of the top mental health speakers and suicide prevention speakers. Known for her powerful, motivational keynotes, AnneMoss combines her personal story of loss with proven strategies to help organizations build a wellness culture that drives results and saves lives. She speaks at conferences, workplaces, K-12 schools, and universities, delivering impactful presentations that inspire change and promote mental health awareness.
AnneMoss does this work in memory of her son, Charles, who struggled with anxiety, depression, and addiction, and died by suicide at age 20 in 2015.