Youth from Across New Jersey met with First Lady Tammy Murphy to share personal stories for a roundtable discussion focused on youth mental health and their experiences using the free 2NDFLOOR® Youth Helpline app.
The discussion, held at the Historical Barn at Drumthwacket, brought together five youth volunteers and representatives from 180 Turning Lives Around, the nonprofit organization that operates 2NDFLOOR®.
The roundtable, which took place during Mental Health Awareness Month, underscored New Jersey’s commitment to addressing the youth mental health crisis and promoting awareness of the critical resources and support programs currently available to young people across the state.
“Our youth are facing extraordinary challenges, and it is our responsibility to meet them with compassion, innovation and resources that truly work,” The First Lady said. “The 2NDFLOOR® app is a lifeline for so many young people in New Jersey. Hearing directly from these incredible youth today reaffirmed why this work is so critical, and why we must continue to listen to and uplift their voices.”
The app, launched in September 2024, is the latest addition to the services offered by 2NDFLOOR®, which provides 24/7/365 confidential and anonymous support via phone, text, and its website for New Jersey youth ages 10-24.
Since its launch, the app has been downloaded more than 4,500 times and is actively used by youth in all 21 New Jersey counties.
During the roundtable, participants shared their personal experiences with the app and reflected on the broader mental health challenges facing their peers today. Students discussed how the app helps students connect with trained counselors and find help, and the importance of peer-to-peer community support.
“I think it’s really important that the app helps with day-to-day struggles that kids face,” Youth Ambassador Olivia Trujillo said. Trujillo is 1 years old and noted that being able to talk to someone anytime, 24/7, is a critical feature for youth seeking help. “It’s not always at 4:00 p.m. when you’re facing a struggle where you can seek mental health. Sometimes it’s at 11:00 p.m. and there’s no resources available except for 9-1-1, and you definitely don’t need 9-1-1 all of the time.”
Kyle Pettus, age 20, a youth ambassador and volunteer, touted the many resources listed on the app. “You have all these different subsections when you open the app that cover different problems, it’s anything you can think of – dating advice, sexuality, LGBTQ+. You just click on one, and there are a bunch of help links you can go to.” He added, “I know from personal experience, and what I have heard, that this is a huge component of the app that people like using.”
“The most powerful part is that it’s anonymous and people can express their feelings anonymously,” remarked 12-year-old youth ambassador Giuli Greco, who also finds the peer-to-peer community chat board helpful. “There are different categories where you can go to and write about what’s on your mind.”
Youth ambassador Love Deep Singh, age 17, relayed that people don’t always realize that anyone, even the star athlete or straight-A student, can need help at times. “There’s been a lot of pressure and stress associated with that. I feel like that is something I haven’t been able to talk about with my guidance counselors, best friends, or anybody.” Then he found the app. “I feel like being able to talk to a community anonymously, and being involved and helping other people out is really important. When these things go overlooked, it only makes these bottled-up emotions that you’re holding even worse.”
Youth input has been an integral part of 2NDFLOOR® since it was launched over 20 years ago.
“Every step of the way, the youth that we’re targeting to use the app are able to weigh in and tell us what they’re looking for, rather than us telling them. This is important because we don’t always know what folks are experiencing on the ground,” Christina Zuk, board chair of 180 Turning Lives Around said. “We are deeply committed to ensuring 2NDFLOOR® continues to grow in ways that center the needs and perspectives of the youth we serve.”
The youth focus group is already working on new features for the app, including more frequent check-ins, fun games that can boost awareness of mental health issues.
One new idea came out of this roundtable from focus group participant and volunteer Steven Behrens, age 22.
“One thing I would like to see more of is resources for neurodivergent students and young people. Because I know, as someone with ADHD myself, I often struggle with expressing and putting together my thoughts and emotions. It could help people like me put what they are feeling into words,” he said.
The app has doubled the number of connections made with 2NDFLOOR®, and in April 2025, helped drive a 38% increase in youth engagements over the same month last year.
“We are thrilled by the rapid increase in use of the app and the positive feedback we are getting from young people. It is really making a difference,” Liz Graham, chief executive officer of 180 Turning Lives Around said. “The app has given us a new way to create important connections and provide the private, anonymous support young people need with just the tap of an icon on the phone.”
