Resources for Teachers

One of NAMI’s main goals is to ensure that people get help early. Since mental health conditions typically begin during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood, we have compiled essential information and resources intended to help young people get the mental health support they need.

  • Leading community from challenges to victories in social and professional settings

  • Providing support for stress-management, well being and psychological resilience.

    In South King County, youth and young adults are disproportionately affected by gun violence, with victims most often being male and people of color. While recent efforts have helped reduce overall shootings across the county, young people remain at high risek, and some areas in South King County have seen fatal incidents amoung teens increase. Gang activity is also a contributing factor to youth violence in the region. Peace curriculum lessons are provided by UNESCO.

    Invitation for teachers:

    https://kingcounty.gov/en/court/superior-court/courts-jails-legal-system/court-programs-children-families/juvenile-court-services/programs-services-juvenile-court/for-families-experiencing-violence/step-up-curriculum

    https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/articles/webinar-teachers-lifelong-learners-and-facilitators-lifelong-learning

    https://www.academia.edu/88602155/Session_1_Peace_Education_as_an_Important_Peacebuilding_Strategy

    Invitation for students:

  • Support for Smoke-free Futures

    Health Risks of Smoking

    • General Impact: Smoking is a major public health issue that damages nearly every part of the body and shortens life expectancy by an average of 10 years compared to non-smokers.

    • Cancer:

      • Leading cause of cancer and cancer-related deaths.

      • Primary cause of lung cancer.

      • Can also cause cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder.

      • Chemicals in tobacco damage DNA, causing cells to grow uncontrollably.

    • Respiratory Diseases:

      • Main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

      • Worsens existing lung conditions such as asthma.

    • Cardiovascular Disease:

      • Major cause of heart disease and stroke.

      • Damages and narrows blood vessels.

      • Raises blood pressure and heart rate.

      • Increases risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

    Smoking Prevention & Support

    • Definition: Smoking is the inhalation of toxic, addictive nicotine, harmful to nearly every organ in the body.

    • Prevention Strategies:

      • Focus on discouraging initiation, especially among youth.

      • Use education, media campaigns, and smoke-free policies.

    • Quitting Support:

      • Requires managing nicotine addiction and cravings with a planned approach.

      • Support may include counseling, nicotine replacement therapies, and community programs.

    FFI Smoking Prevention Program for Refugee Communities

    • Objective: Create an effective smoking prevention program for refugee communities in the Seattle metropolitan area.

    • Challenges:

      • Cultural beliefs and norms.

      • Language barriers.

      • Limited access to adapted cessation services.

    • Solutions:

      • Provide culturally and linguistically tailored, trauma-informed interventions.

      • Focus on East African and other migrant communities.

    • Future Priorities:

      • Support migrant groups to reduce tobacco-related harms.

      • Promote smoke-free family environments.

    Smoking and Its Harms

    Smoking is a major public health issue that damages nearly every organ in the body and shortens life by about 10 years.

    • Cancer: Leading cause of cancer deaths, especially lung cancer, and linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, liver, kidneys, and more.

    • Respiratory Diseases: Primary cause of COPD, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and worsens asthma.

    • Cardiovascular Disease: Major cause of heart disease and stroke by damaging blood vessels, raising blood pressure, and increasing clot risk.

    Prevention and Quitting

    Smoking involves inhaling toxic, addictive nicotine. Prevention focuses on discouraging youth initiation through education, media, and smoke-free laws. Quitting requires managing nicotine addiction with counseling, support, or nicotine replacement to lower disease risk and improve health.

    FFI Smoking Prevention Program

    FFI aims to create an effective smoking prevention program for refugee communities in the Seattle area. Challenges include cultural beliefs, language barriers, and limited access to cessation services. To address these, we promote culturally and linguistically tailored, trauma-informed interventions, especially for East African communities. Our goal is to support migrant families, reduce tobacco-related harms, and create smoke-free home environments.

  • UNESCO Peace & Sustainability Framework Resources

    1. "Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development" (2024)

    2. "Peace Education: Framework for Teacher Education" (2005)

    3. "Education for Peace and Sustainable Development"

    4. "Learning the Way of Peace: A Teachers' Guide to Peace Education"

    Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for Teachers

    1. "Education for Sustainable Development Goals: Learning Objectives"

    2. "Green School Quality Standard: Greening Every Learning Environment"

    3. "Curriculum and Learning for Lasting Peace" (UNESCO International Bureau of Education)

    Practical Teacher Guides

    1. "The Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide for Teachers" (Oxfam)

    2. TeachSDGs Organization Resources

    3. UN Student Resources & Teaching Guide (K-12)