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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends, We are living in very challenging times. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health conditions were on the rise. But now, the prevalence of conditions such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol and substance use is even higher, and it seems that another pandemic is upon us – an unprecedented mental health crisis. As a young adult, I myself experienced a mental health crisis. I struggled with depression and was hospitalized three times. Despite the high prevalence of mental health disorders, I personally encountered the harmful and
MIRIAM AMENT
Founder & Executive Director
painful impact of mental health stigma. It was devastating. In 2014, in response to the lack of direction and resources about how to view and care for those struggling with their mental health, I founded No Shame On U (“NSOU�). Today, more than ever, it is apparent this organization has filled a void, and we are well-positioned to continue helping those in need. Although we are a small organization, we are mighty. No Shame On U has run over 110 free virtual programs since the pandemic began. We have worked to destigmatize mental health disorders both in large settings (pre-COVID!), such as at our annual event, but also in more intimate gatherings, where we have focused on a range of mental health subjects, for instance - workplace mental health, grief, mental health and parenting, and loss and isolation. We have been fortunate to partner with many organizations across Chicagoland and beyond. Many of our workshops and talks are led and facilitated by experts, and we also value the impact of those with lived experience. We are thrilled to be available for a community-in-need. And, although our financial needs are growing, we are delighted that, for now, during these uncertain and stressful times, we are able to provide all of our mental health programming at no-charge to the community. We look forward to our continued growth and to working toward our mission to educate, support, and destigmatize mental illness. With gratitude, Miriam Ament, M.A. Founder and Executive Director
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MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: STATS & FACTS
50% of all lifetime cases of
mental illness begin by age 14. More people die by suicide than in car accidents. U.S. suicide rate has increased 30% since 2000.
1 in 10 adolescents lives with depression.
5x more youth
with ADHD have depression than those without. LGBTQ youth attempt suicide
5x more.
2x more
women experience depression than men.
4x more
men die by suicide than women.
20% of those with
alcohol/substance use disorder also have an anxiety/mood disorder. In a given year. 18% of U.S. adults live with anxiety. The average time between the onset of mental health symptoms and treatment is
11 years.
In a given year, 10% of U.S. adults live with depression. COVID-related increases:
Anxiety Depression Suicidal ideation
Sources: APA, CDC, Johns Hopkins Medicine, NIMH
3x 4x 2x
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NO SHAME ON U BY THE NUMBERS IN THE PAST YEAR, NO SHAME ON U HAS DELIVERED...
35 Mindful Yoga sessions to date
10 QuaranTeen Check-In sessions
77 Spring 2020 art contest entries
60 Expert-Led programs
80 Blog Posts
550 Attendees at 2019 Annual Event
7 Mindful Art Sessions
2750+ Virtual Program attendees
45+ Collaborations with community organizations
Over 110 Virtual programs during Covid
15 Support Group Sessions to date
NO SHAME ON U 2020 SURVEY RESULTS
96%
would recommend NSOU programming
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9/10 average satisfaction with programming
91%
would recommend NSOU resources to others
TESTIMONIALS
Thank YOU for the work that you do to END the STIGMA”
Thank you for the variety of programming during COVID-19! In addition to the direct benefits of the programs themselves, the programs have helped me be more attuned to my loved one, understand better what she experiences, realize we’re not alone in
NSOU has become an outstanding resource for the
the struggle, and have hope for change, growth, and improvement.”
Jewish communities around the nation. Thank you for all of your hard work!”
Wow! Amazing submissions! As an art therapist, I am really grateful that you had this project. Quarantine has been a
I think what you are doing is
great time for self reflection and exploration. It has helped my girls
a wonderful service to the
give voice to how they are feeling
community! Great job!”
during this time.”
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FROM A NO SHAME ON U ADVOCATE For years, I have struggled with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, and depression. During high school, I began to self-harm and struggled with suicidal thoughts. I was confused and felt alone, and I felt like I was the exception: therapy was not going to help me. Ongoing therapy and time spent in partial hospitalization and a residential program ended up being a breakthrough for me. It was a real journey, and I learned how so many other others around us struggle with mental health disorders. I was also so happy that No Shame On U gave me a voice to share my experiences. Learning from peers with mental health disorders is one of the most effective ways to destigmatize mental health and ensure that people who need help receive it. Through treatment and incredible family support, I rediscovered
JOSH POGONITZ ICJA, Class of 2020
hope, self love, happiness, and for the first time in years, wanting to live. And that is when I became so eager and determined to share my mental health story. I wanted to show people that even in the depth of despair and hopelessness, there is reason to hold onto hope, because in the future there can be joy and a sense of self-fulfillment. On November 3, 2019, before a crowd of over 550 people, I gave remarks at the No Shame On U annual event. This marked the first time I ever spoke publicly about my experiences struggling with my mental health. No Shame On U posted my speech on YouTube and Facebook, giving my experience a wider audience. The response was incredible: so many people shared how my story made them feel less alone or helped them recognize that they had a friend or family member in need of comfort and encouragement. After speaking, I felt an increased confidence to share my story and a strengthened determination to use my story to help others coping with mental health symptoms. Fortunately, I was selected to be a Jewish United Fund 18 Under 18 honoree, which gave me the opportunity to share my story on a wider platform. No Shame On U provided me with the support and know-how to expand my reach and a format to use to tell my story. By continuing to speak publicly, I was able to share my message and increase my impact. The feedback we have received is that the mental health workshops I conducted were helpful, hopeful, and inspiring. I consider that a mission complete, and there is still more work to be done! No Shame On U has not only benefited me personally, as I continue on my mission to bring more awareness to mental health disorders, but it is evident that the organization is a real jewel in the community. It has been a true honor for me to be involved with an organization that works so tirelessly to support those with mental health struggles. I can’t wait to see what No Shame On U does next.
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NO SHAME ON U OVER THE YEARS
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NO SHAME ON U 2020 ART CHALLENGE Thank you to everyone who participated in the first No Shame On U Art Challenge: Illustrate Your Emotions During Quarantine. We received many wonderful entries. Enjoy looking at a few of the submissions, along with reading the accompanying artist statements.
My Feelings Coming Together
Raaya B. | 1st Grade
It’s a collage with all the different faces and with all the different emotions that I’ve gotten with quarantine. I use different colors to describe all my different feelings. I used red to describe anger; I used pink to describe love; I used white to describe surprise; I used yellow to show that I am happy; and I used blue to show that I am sad. I combined them all together on a piece of paper, and it became a collage that I could share with all of you.
Finding Light in Darkness Yolie S. | 10th Grade
This painting conveys the theme because it shows that during quarantine, I am surrounded with darkness, I can’t leave my house, I can’t see my friends, I can’t go to school, etc. But I have been able to find light in this situation. I practice my art, I work on my hobbies, and I have more time to spend with my family. The girl in the painting is holding a flashlight (me) that drips a rainbow of light in the sky to show that even in the hardest situations there is always a bright side.
Self Reflection
Lilah C. | 4th Grade The silver mask represents me looking into myself - like looking in a mirror. The emojis are a mix of all my feelings about being stuck at home, missing school, not seeing my friends, not getting to do any of my regular activities, and not knowing if or when everything will be okay again. The flowers represent the fact that there are still beautiful things happening around us, even though so much bad stuff is happening around us, too. The flowers make me feel hopeful that soon things will get better.
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NO SHAME ON U 2020 ART CHALLENGE I Think I’m Losing My Mind Aviya M. | 6th Grade
This drawing shows a girl who is losing her mind. Quarantine makes me feel that way because I can’t see other people other than my family, and it’s kind of annoying. The drawing really shows that emotion.
Separate But Together Noam T. | 7th Grade
You can have separate emotions during quarantine, and you can have them all at once. The red represents anger, the blue represents sadness, the yellow represents happiness, and the grey represents confusion.
All Alone During Quarantine Eli S. | 3rd Grade
I am feeling sad that the parks and stores are closed. I am feeling sad that no one is around. I can’t wait to get back to school and see my friends. Life seems different now.
Unity in a Storm
Nikki L. | 11th Grade During my quarantine, I have experienced feelings of both darkness and light. The chaos of the media, while trapped at home, feels like an endless stormy day. Yet, there is one positive aspect that I truly believe will come out of this pandemic: unity. Although we are apart, people are finding new ways to connect and create light in the world.
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OUR SUPPORT Thank you to the Foundations and Organizations that have supported us over the years.
Rose Choffnes and Family
Direct Service Education Advocacy Philanthropy Club
Student Council
And, thank you to all the individual donors for your ongoing support. 10
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WHAT’S NEW IN 2021 WHAT’S HAPPENING No Shame on U is excited to be able to continue offering innovative and impactful mental health programming! In light of the pandemic and the collective emotional turmoil many are experiencing, all programming is being offered free-of-charge. Below is a sampling of some of the programming we will be offering in 2021. As long as necessary, all programming will be virtual. Teen Ambassador Program: launching in January, this six-month-long program is designed to educate high school sophomores and juniors about mental health issues, raise their awareness about mental health stigma and its daily impact on peers and the community at large, and provide them with the tools to raise awareness and develop mental health programming for their respective communities. Getting Down to Basics: a regularly occurring series focusing on how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use disorders. Each session will focus on a different diagnosis or specific set of commonly co-occurring symptoms and will provide self-care strategies and important tools for friends and family members to help support a loved one living with a mental health condition. Mindful Yoga: a weekly 30-minute yoga class with a special focus on mental well-being and mindfulness. With the goal of calming the mind and strengthening the body, regular yoga practice is an effective way to manage stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Illustrate Your Emotions Art Contest: an art challenge for K-12 students that focuses on their mental health. Kids of all ages may have difficulty articulating the emotions they are experiencing, but engaging in the creation of art is a powerful way for them to express their fears and feelings and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. Support Groups: regularly occurring opportunities for people to get together and share personal experiences and coping strategies. Professionally led, each group has a different focus, e.g., QuaranTeen (for teens), surviving suicide loss, and supporting families with loved ones in a residential home. Art Sessions for your Well-Being: with a focus on enhancing mental health, these sessions aim to utilize the creative process to explore emotions and develop insight and coping skills. Led by a social worker, session participants will create art at home in a variety of mediums, such as drawing, painting, and collage. Art skills are not required. Expert-Led Workshops: throughout the year, we will convene a series of programs focusing on mental health, well-being, and stigma. Programs will connect mental health to issues such as nutrition, physical well-being, the environment, technology, and relationships. Workshops will be led by experts in their respective fields.
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GETTING INVOLVED Want to get involved in eliminating mental health stigma? Here are some ways you can help out: Show compassion for those with mental health symptoms and disorders. Attend No Shame On U programming. The more you know, the better you will be able to combat mental health stigma. For more information, please check out www.NoShameOnU.org. Volunteer with No Shame On U. We are certain you have skills to offer in the fight against stigma and to support mental health. Spread the word about No Shame On U to ensure others become aware of the toll mental health takes on people who are struggling and to make certain that those who are in need will receive support. Donate to No Shame On U, so that we can continue with our mission to educate the community about mental health stigma and to develop cutting edge programming aimed at curtailing the effect of the ongoing mental health crisis. Staff
Board of Directors
Miriam Ament, M.A., Founder and Executive Director Ellen Geis, Engagement Coordinator Anat S. Geva, J.D., Ph.D., Director of Strategic Initiatives
Nathan Benditzson David Forman Heidi Kalman Shifra Kolsky Bonnie Lane Eddie Meyer Hillel Morris Rebecca Pogonitz Stacey Schwartz Deborah Shub Daniel Warshawsky
Advisory Council Dr. Neil Fielkow, M.D., Psychiatrist, Private Practice Dr. Aryn Froum, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice Dr. Melanie Levine, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice Michael Simon, MPP, Executive Director, Northwestern University Hillel Doug Winkelstein, M.A., Director of Learning and Development, BBYO
No Shame On U 2651 West Greenleaf Ave. | Chicago, IL 60645 General Inquiries & Partnerships: miriam@noshameonu.org Phone Number: 773-398-8488 | www.noshameonu.org
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, please know that you are not alone. Please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255; https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or text the Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741; https://www.crisistextline.org/. For more resources, check out: http://www.noshameonu.org/mental-health-resources
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