1. Presented by Hakeem Rahim, Ed.M., M.A.
Sponsored by Queens/Nassau
Begin a positive conversation about mental health, mental illness and stigma
About Hakeem: Hakeem Rahim bravely tells his journey from mental illness to wellness honestly,
sincerely and openly. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as an undergraduate at Harvard University,
Hakeem adds a personable and compassionate voice to the discussion around mental illness.
Contact Hakeem to schedule at Hakeem@btslessonplans.org
For more information visit: NAMI: www.namiqn.org
Breaking the Silence www.btslessonplans.org
A 45-minute
interactive assembly presentation for high school and middle school students to
learn about mental illness and experience a first-hand inspirational mental health
success story. Students will gain insight that proper support from helping
professionals, friends and loved ones can lead to good outcomes when faced with
mental illness.
Given that suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in youth ages 15 to 24 and that
½ of all lifetime cases of mental disorders begin by the age of 14, high school and middle school is the perfect
age to begin a positive conversation about mental health, mental illness and stigma.
Hakeem Rahim, graduate of both Harvard and Columbia Universities and an
owner of a consultative company Live Breathe, LLC, shares his personal story of mental illness, recovery and
wellness. In addition to Hakeem’s message of resilience, LTMI includes valuable information to raise
awareness and decrease stigma around mental illness:
 What is mental illness?
 Signs and symptoms
 Hakeem Rahim’s personal journey
 The importance of seeking help and treatment for self and others
 Role playing how to encourage a friend to seek help
 Making the connection between mental illness, drugs and alcohol abuse
 Stigma-busting interactive exercise on living with a mental illness
 Q & A and Discussion
We know school days are full and teachers are pressed for time, but
consider this most important topic. We found that this presentation fits well for:
 Health classes
 English classes- especially when discussing a story or character who has mental illness
 Science classes
 Groups led by social workers or school psychologists.
 Clubs
Hakeem has shared LTMI with thousands of students at over 50
educational institutions. Student comments exemplify the need and the impact of LTMI:
 “The presentation showed me that a lot of people have mental illnesses and there are ways to get help for it,”
- Lynbrook HS student
 “I am diagnosed with anxiety and I feel more comfortable to talk about it and seek help,” - Jericho HS student.
 “I was watching the faces of students in the room who I have worked with that have been diagnosed with a
mental illness. I could just sense the relief they must have been feeling,”- Social Worker, East Meadow HS Peer
Leaders.