In a concerted effort to address the ongoing youth mental health crisis, the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health is now partnered with 50 public schools across 38 New Jersey districts. The center, established in 2023 with funding from the New Jersey Department of Education, focuses on providing training, technical assistance, and consultation to educators.
According to Ann Murphy, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Health Professions, the need is critical.
“Nationwide, about half our young people struggle with persistent hopelessness and sadness,” Murphy said. “Anxiety, loneliness, depression, and suicide attempts all are showing up with younger and younger children.”
The crisis, which was a concern even before the pandemic, is compounded by factors such as social media, excessive screen time, and economic uncertainty. The center’s mission is to help schools catch up to the demand for mental health support, as currently only half of students who need help are receiving it.
The program works by embedding staff into interdisciplinary teams within the partner schools, often led by a guidance counselor or another mental health professional. The teams, which can also include administrators, faculty, parents, and students, use a data-driven approach to identify students in need and find effective strategies.
Kristy Ritvalsky, the center’s deputy director, emphasized the importance of this method. “Without a clear understanding of what data is saying, how can you tell which students are most in need of supports? Data drives decision-making as well as the monitoring of progress.”
School districts working with the center are already seeing positive results. Aubrey Johnson, superintendent of New Brunswick Public Schools, noted, “Our ongoing arrangement highlights how effective it can be for mental health services to be available at a school facility.”
Murphy expressed optimism for the future, citing the openness of students and the dedication of educators. “It’s the students themselves who make me feel optimistic – they talk openly about mental health and they’re willing to express their needs,” she said. Looking ahead, the center aims to see mental health supports become a permanent fixture in schools, believing that once people see the benefits, they won’t want to let them go.
