Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Updates on NJ Statewide Student Mental Health Summit

October 14, 2025

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We would like to extend a warm thank you to all students and practitioners who attended the first-ever New Jersey Statewide Student Mental Health Summit at Kean University on Wednesday October 8, 2025. This day-long convening brought together students from across the state to engage in conversations, workshops, and activities focused on mental health, wellbeing, and community support. Designed for and by students, the Summit was planned in collaboration with the Higher Education Mental Health Ambassadors, a cohort of 30 undergraduate and graduate students representing 19 New Jersey institutions of higher education.

Watch the media coverage from NJ Spotlight News and PIX 11 featuring students and don't miss our video recap on the @njhighered Instagram.

The Summit featured:

• 200+ attendees
• A student-moderated discussion featuring presidents from Stevens Institute of Technology, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Brookdale Community College, Montclair State University, and Berkeley College, as well as opening remarks from Kean president, Dr. Lamont Repollet
• Student presentations on topics such as Peer Education & Support Systems, Mental Health & Social Justice, Social Determinants of Health, and Educating Across the Institution
• Student-led storytelling sessions on The Nontraditional Student Experience and Finding Community On-Campus & Beyond
• Student poster presentations featuring mental health research and visual art
• Closing remarks from Kean Chief Well-Being Officer Erika Charles and NJ Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges

Explore the Summit Agenda & Student Presenter Bios

Questions or feedback related to the Summit can be directed to jacqueline.campbell@oshe.nj.gov

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