Grand View University students involved in National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) came to inform students about mental illness  during an assembly Feb. 6. NAMI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals, families and the community on mental illness.

The assembly was part of annual the Big Give fundraiser put on by Student Council. All money raised for The Big Give will be donated to the CC + 10 organization, which brings awareness to mental illnesses.

Administrators were impressed with the level of respect that students brought to the assembly. “One way I could tell the assembly was beneficial was the silence in the gym, not always does it happen at every assembly, and you could tell that people cared about the content,” guidance counselor Stephanie Guthrie said.

The Grand View students emphasized the fact that mental illnesses are not a result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. They also encouraged the high school students to create a NAMI chapter at Johnston. “I think it would be very beneficial to start a NAMI organization at JHS,” sophomore Jessica Bigelow said.

Student Council used the assembly to help kick off the fundraiser. The next Big Give events include:

Feb. 13, basketball game- bake sale and raffle proceeds go to CC + 10

Feb. 16, Buffalo Wild Wings- proceeds from Johnston students go to CC + 10

Feb. 17, Famous Dave’s- all proceeds go to CC + 10