Miranda Gonzalez

Mr. Gango 1

AP English 12

13 April 2017

Self- Evaluation

I decided to do Mental Health Awareness for my senior project. The way that I did it was

by attending an 8 hour training on suicide awareness/ prevention called Youth Mental Health

First Aid. When this training was over, I was given a certificate that certifies me in Mental

Health First Aid, which I have to re-new in 2020. Another way that I did this was by attending

the schools National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) club meetings. In the meetings we

discussed many things like different mental illness and coping strategies. Those meetings were

held through the whole second semester, up to this past Monday, April 10th. In addition to that, I

also volunteered at a NAMI event held February 15th to help others with their stress, depression,

and how to live a better mental health life. All these events were taken place at Sierra Vista High

School with the help of the NAMI club, their officers and members, Dr. Coats and Ms. Graf. The

total hours needed for my project were 16 hours and 10 minutes.

I decided to this project because I had joined the NAMI club in the beginning of the

school year and I had little knowledge on it. Another thing that led me to it, and actually led me

to join the club in the first place, was that my older cousin has schizophrenia and I have always

seen him and his family struggle but never really known how hard it was. This led me to my
curiosity on mental illness and wanting to help out and get awareness out.

What I was most satisfied with was the amount of information I was able to gather. I am

more knowledgeable on the whole topic itself and I am even certified on Mental Health. I can,

more easily than others, recognize when someone needs help and how to approach them

correctly without triggering anything, I know how to recognize when someone is thinking of

hurting themselves and how to recognize their mental illness.

I was unsatisfied with my amount of volunteering. I wish there were more events in

which I could volunteer in but the timing was just not right. I wouldnt have minded spending

more time on my project but there was not much available unless I ventured to other cities.

This was definitely a positive experience and I dont regret my choice at all. I really

enjoyed hearing other peoples stories and I knowing that I have the ability to help someone in

need. This definitely gave me a hands on experience and I love that I am more knowledgeable

instead of oblivious. This has also pushed me towards continuing in the mental health path, Im

going to continue to work on it starting with an event in May.