Seton Hall Greets Over 500 Higher Education Professionals at NJ Mental Health Summit

On January 10, 2024, staff from over 40 New Jersey colleges and universities and mental health experts from across the country came together for the first time and shared best practices to support college students at the inaugural New Jersey Higher Education Mental Health Summit (the ‘Summit’), which was hosted by Seton Hall University. 

The Summit offered the opportunity for inter-institution collaboration to help combat the student mental health crisis. Attendees developed and shared resources and methods designed to foster psychological health and well-being that helps students thrive, develop and achieve personal and professional success.

More than 500 participants and attendees attended the Summit. Over 470 professionals and front-line practitioners from Student Affairs, Campus Police and Safety, Residence Life, Athletics, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice staff, HealthServices, First-Gen programs, Advisors of EOP/EOF and other campus personnel were represented at this ‘first of its kind’ cohort gathering.

During the welcome presentation, Summit Co-Chair, Karen Van Norman, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Seton Hall University, introduced Seton Hall’s Interim President, Katia Passerini, Ph.D., "Today we're taking a moment to step back, observe, learn, and converse. And most importantly, today is an occasion for hope," said President Passerini. "I hope that you will live here today with new insights, new ideas, new perspective, but especially, new energy because it is easy to feel depleted when it is a time of crisis. But often we need these opportunities like this to refresh our spirit and to restore our strength so that we can be the pillar of support when the students need us."

President Passerini then introduced New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who provided opening remarks, "I cannot think of many issues more important right now than protecting the lives and wellbeing of young folk on college campuses across our great state. We're truly, my friends, at a crisis moment, one that existed prior to the pandemic but has only been exacerbated since rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation on college campuses are at an all-time high," said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. "We are forever grateful to you and the students who cross your paths will reap the benefits of your presence here."

After much anticipation and excitement, Sara Klein, Summit Co-Chair and Vice President of Student Affairs at Stevens Institute of Technology, introduced the Summit’s keynote speaker, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels, co-founder of the legendary hip-hop group, ‘Run-DMC’, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and mental health advocate. McDaniels shared his own story of battling suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, and depression and how he found the support he needed to begin rehabilitation and therapy, which he credits as one of the most powerful things he has ever done in his life.

"I want to take away the stigma from the mental health situation, and I believe I can contribute to making that change now after going through what I've been through," said McDaniels. "The greatest thing that I've done in my life is not go ‘gold’ or ‘platinum’, or get a Grammy, or even get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The greatest thing that I've done in my life is that I went to therapy and I was able to sit there and talk about how I felt with everything."

Speaking to professionals who often work with students daily, McDaniels drove home the importance in speaking to students on a human level, checking in with their mental wellbeing, allowing them space to relay their true feelings and to showcase yourself as a resource for psychological support. McDaniels ended his remarks in style with a standing ovation from Summit participants.

In the morning and afternoon, attendees participated in various breakout sessions that explored topics ranging from the impact of The Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act Amendment on college campuses; to promoting psychological well-being for first-generation students; to fostering a positive mental health culture; and many more.

Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to visit the Resource Fair which housed 17 booth presentations from various community providers, mental health resource organizations and health service providers including, UWill (the Summit’s ‘Principal Sponsor’), The Jed Foundation, the Partnership to End Addiction, the Mental Health Association of New Jersey, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and others.

New Jersey Higher Education Secretary, Brian Bridges, was featured as the closing speaker at the Summit. Secretary Bridges stated "It's inspiring because it shows how much our institutions really care for the students who populate their halls, becoming a force for change, not only in the lives of their students, but also in the lives of everyone in the state of New Jersey. This is an issue that doesn't just affect students, it also ripples out beyond the student body on the campuses," said Secretary Bridges. 

During his remarks, he announced the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) will extend New Jersey’s first-in-the-nation partnership with mental health and wellness platform, Uwill. Since launching in May 2023 the partnership has empowered students at 44 of New Jersey’s participating colleges and universities to access free, 24/7/365 teletherapy, crisis connection and wellness programming to foster stronger student mental health and well-being.

Categories: Education