McGonagle visits with The NAN Project at Keverian School

The Rep. sat in on a presentation to a seventh-grade class from the mental health and suicide prevention nonprofit The NAN Project

Last week State Representative Joe McGonagle visited the George Keverian School to join a presentation from The NAN Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 that “provides proactive suicide prevention education through hopeful stories of lived experience to young people and their communities.” They work with schools and young people to recognize the signs of struggle and how to help themselves or a loved one. The NAN Project was started by the family of Nan Cavanaugh, a Beverly native who took her life by suicide at 24 after a long, hidden struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression. The group encourages conversations and destigmatization of mental health concerns.

“I was truly blown away but what I witnessed today,” said McGonagle. “The NAN Project puts on a fantastic presentation and know how to engage young people in these conversations. I was thrilled that one of their Peer Mentors, Emily, is an Everett native who was brave enough to share her story of mental health struggles. She’s an incredible young woman who I am proud to call part of the Everett community. Not only this, but I was thoroughly impressed with our students. They were active participants who engaged in thoughtful conversation and asked meaningful questions. I am sincerely grateful for this experience and hope to support the NAN Project’s work in the future, especially with our Everett students. I’d also like to thank Counselor Eric Piazza for facilitating such opportunities.”