Experts Help Prepare for New School Year, Address Youths’ Mental Health Challenges

Virtual Conference August 17 – 21, 2020

BACK-           The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant negative impact on mental health that is expected

GROUND:      to continue and grow for months to come and possibly longer. According to a report released by

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday, adults were more likely to report adverse mental health conditions, substance use and suicidal ideation this past June compared to one year ago. In addition, EAB, which partners with K-12 schools, colleges and universities to improve outcomes for all students, shared that the increasing rates of anxiety, depression and suicide among children and teens that were observed before the COVID-19 crisis could skyrocket due to the trauma associated with the pandemic.

WHAT:          Virtual Suicide Prevention Conference, Packing a Toolkit for the New Norm

WHEN:          August 17 through August 21, 2020: Presentation each day from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

WHO:             The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA), a

statewide trade association representing hospital-based and freestanding organizations that provide mental health care, substance use treatment and other support services; Attitudes In Reverse^® (AIR™), a Princeton-based nonprofit that offers mental-health and suicide-prevention education; co-sponsor Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic, a private, not-for-profit, behavioral healthcare system that specializes in psychiatric and substance use treatment; and co-sponsor American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – New Jersey Chapter, a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.

AGENDA:

• Monday, August 17^th: Initiatives in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic from a Mental Health Perspective – Craig Kramer, JD, MBA, Mental Health Ambassador and Chair, Global Campaign for Mental Health, Neuroscience External Affairs, Janssen R&D, a Johnson & Johnson Company
• Tuesday, August 18^th: How New Jersey Schools Are Preparing for Reopening and Supporting Students – David Aderhold, EdD, Superintendent of Schools, West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, and Jennifer Walters, LPC, Elementary and Middle School Counselor, Princeton Public Schools

More

Experts Help Prepare for New School Year, Address Youths’ Mental Health Challenges/Page 2 of 2

• Wednesday, August 19th: Strategies for Helping Youth Cope with the Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 and Adjust to the New School Year – Jane Todey, EDSp, Private Consultant, Former Research Program Manager, Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute, Iowa State University
• Thursday, August 20^th: Proactive Approach to Suicide Prevention: Foundational Focus on Functional Emotional Development – Jeff Guenzel, MA, LPC, Chief Executive Officer, Inter-disciplinary Council on Development and Learning
• Friday, August 21^st: Inspiring Stories of Overcoming Mental Health Challenges during the Pandemic and Overall: Carrie Genzel, AIR Advisory Board Member and Actress, and Peter Lee Kramer, Mental Health Advocate

Click here to register.

Registration fee: $25 for any or all of the presentations. Proceeds will support AIR’s mental-health and suicide-prevention programs.

#          #          #

The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA) is a statewide trade association representing 144 organizations that serve New Jersey residents with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and their families.  Their members may be found in every county and almost every community statewide. They serve more than 500,000 children and adults each year and contribute to the economy through 61,000 direct and indirect jobs. NJAMHAA’s mission is to promote the value of its members as the highest quality behavioral healthcare providers for the residents of New Jersey through advocacy and professional development. For more information about NJAMHAA, please visit www.njamhaa.org.

Attitudes In Reverse^® (AIR™) was established by Tricia, Kurt and Katelyn Baker of Plainsboro, NJ, in 2010, soon after their son/brother Kenny died by suicide following a long battle against severe depression and anxiety. Their mission is to save lives by educating students about mental health, related disorders and suicide prevention. Since January 2011, they have presented to more than 95,000 students in middle and high schools and colleges in New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Missouri, Texas and Arizona. AIR also offers Youth Mental Health First Aid instruction and includes the AIR Dogs: Paws for Minds™ program, bringing dogs into schools to help students de-stress and engage in the conversation about mental health. In addition, AIR trains and certifies Emotional Support Animals and offers a lunch-and-learn program for businesses. For more information about AIR, please visit www.air.ngo or call 609-945-3200.

Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic is a private, not-for-profit, behavioral healthcare system that specializes in psychiatric and substance abuse addiction treatment, founded in 1910. One of the largest independent, nonprofit central Jersey behavioral health facilities, Carrier Clinic specializes in inpatient psychiatric treatment and treatment and rehabilitation for substance abuse. Carrier Clinic provides a complete array of expert care and education for adolescents and teens, adults, and older adults on the inpatient and residential levels. Outpatient services are provided for ECT treatment and drug abuse addiction. Carrier Clinic offers free community education, screenings and support groups. For additional information on Carrier Clinic’s programs and services and to see their new building and facility upgrades, visit CarrierClinic.org.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by funding scientific research; educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention; advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention; and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide in its mission. AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. For more information about AFSP, please visit www.afsp.org.