Compassionate Touch Network

Education about mental illness is as important as academic achievement or any topic that impacts success in life. By putting a face to mental illness, BTS/NM gives students another way to look at this illness other than through the lens of stigma and stereotypes.

In schools students learn about drug abuse, diabetes and heart disease, but may never hear a lesson on depression or other mental illnesses, even though mental illness affects one in five adults and adolescents. Perhaps out of denial, fear of judgment and shame, or not recognizing warning signs, our youth are not getting the help they need.

Statistics reflect the strong need for the BTS/NM educational model. Dr. Adelsheim formerly from UNM has said, "Research has shown that over half of all mental health disorders have their onset by age 14 and most people don't seek or get appropriate treatment for as long as ten years after the problem has surfaced. It is critical for young people and their families to understand the importance of early diagnosis and treatment."

SUPPORT NETWORK

Our Anti-Stigma Curriculum
Breaking the Silence / New Mexico acknowledges with appreciation NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Nassau County, NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), Association of Suicidology, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for materials utilized in our lessons and training manuals.

Grants
Compassionate Touch Network acknowledges and is deeply grateful for the financial support the following have offered to Breaking the Silence / New Mexico - Donna Brown through her family foundation, the Alvin I. and Peggy S. Brown Family Charitable Foundation; New Mexico Department of Health, Office of School and Adolescent Health; Con Alma Health Foundation; Isora Foundation; and New Mexico Children's Foundation.