[N.B.: The following article was written for the NJASA "On Target" Publication.  Joseph Isola is the Superintendent in Howell, and active in student mental health initiatives in Montmouth County and beyond.]

Supporting Mental Health: A Community Effort

On the evening of February 6, 2025, the Monmouth County Schools
Partnership for Wellness, in collaboration with the Monmouth County
Superintendents’ Roundtable and a steering committee made up of school
leaders from across Monmouth County, hosted a Symposium on Mental
Health & Wellness at Brookdale Community College. This gathering
attracted nearly 500 registrants from across the state, marking a pivotal
moment for educators, mental health professionals, parents, students, and
community leaders to address the mental health challenges facing students
and families today.
The symposium was made possible through the generous support from
local organizations and businesses, whose contributions were vital in
bringing the event to life. The sponsors included Vin Gopal Civic
Association, Brown & Brown Insurance, Dominic Cinelli, Gary Goldfarb,
MC3, YMCA, CPC, Monmouth County School Counselors’ Association,
Senator Declan O’Scanlon, The Monmouth County Directors’ Association,
Effective School Solutions, The Tigger Stavlola Foundation, and the
Monmouth County Education Association. Their commitment to
supporting the mental health and wellness of students and families was an
invaluable part of the success of the evening.
With the backing of nearly 30 local community partnerships, which were
represented at the resource fair, the symposium emphasized the

importance of collaboration in tackling mental health issues in our schools
and neighborhoods. The presence of so many diverse organizations at the
fair was a testament to the collective commitment to supporting mental
health and wellness in the region.
The evening began with registration and a bustling resource fair, where
attendees could explore a wide range of mental health resources and
connect with community organizations dedicated to promoting wellness.
From local counseling services to prevention programs, the fair highlighted
the variety of support available to those seeking help, setting the tone for an
engaging and informative evening.
A key moment during the event was the deeply moving story shared by Mr.
Joseph Isola, who tragically lost his niece to a drug overdose in 2018. His
niece had long struggled with a sense of disconnection from her peers. Mr.
Isola’s story underscored the importance of early intervention, support, and
connection in addressing mental health and addiction issues, particularly
for young people.
The keynote speaker, Jonathan Barresi, an educator with extensive
experience in both classroom and administrative roles, delivered a
compelling address titled “The Anxious Generation.” Barresi spoke about
the growing anxiety among today’s youth, emphasizing the pressures of
academic performance, extracurricular demands, and social media’s
pervasive influence. His message highlighted the need for environments
that nurture emotional well-being and provide students with the tools they
need to cope with stress.
Following the keynote, a series of impactful breakout sessions were held,
each focusing on different aspects of mental health. These sessions were led
by local organizations including The Center for Wellness, Wellspring Center
for Prevention, The Balance Project, Society for the Prevention of Teen
Suicide, Living YES, The Ocean is Female, and the National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI), among others. These organizations shared their
expertise, offering everything from addiction prevention programs and
mental health first aid training to youth counseling services.

As the evening came to a close, the symposium concluded with one of its
most powerful moments: a panel discussion featuring both students and
mental health experts/advocates. The panel offered attendees the
opportunity to hear directly from students about their experiences with
mental health and the challenges they face in today’s world. Their voices,
coupled with the expertise of mental health professionals, underscored the
central message of the event: the need for open dialogue, empathy, and
collective action in addressing the mental health needs of youth.
The success of the symposium reinforced a crucial message: mental health
is a community issue that requires the collective effort of all stakeholders.
Educators, mental health professionals, community organizations, and
families all have a role to play in creating environments where students feel
supported, understood, and empowered to seek help when needed.
The Symposium on Mental Health & Wellness served as a powerful
reminder of the importance of collaboration, compassion, and action in
addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time—the mental health
of our youth. As the event concluded, participants left feeling inspired,
connected, and committed to making a positive impact on the mental
health and well-being of their communities.