Newark, New Jersey – Governor Murphy is set to participate in a fireside chat focused on youth mental health at Kean University. The event, scheduled for 11:00 a.m., will also feature Senate President Nick Scutari, New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education Secretary Dr. Brian Bridges, and New Jersey Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer.
The gathering aims to address the critical issue of mental health among young people and discuss strategies to provide better support.
Mental health in teens and children has been on the decline since the COVID-19 pandemic when Governor Murphy locked down the state and kept children in a remote learning school environment for nearly a year in 2020 and 2021.
That isolation has led to a plethora of mental health issues for children affected.
The fireside chat will take place at the Liberty Hall Academic Center, specifically in Building 2, located at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union Township, NJ. Kean University, a renowned institution of higher education, is hosting the event. With Governor Murphy’s involvement, along with key state officials, the discussion is expected to shed light on the challenges faced by youth in terms of mental health and explore avenues for improvement.
In addition to the fireside chat, Governor Murphy will also make a significant announcement during the event. The nature of the announcement has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be related to youth mental health initiatives or related policies. The presence of Senate President Nick Scutari, Secretary Dr. Brian Bridges, and Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer underscores the collaborative approach being taken by various departments and agencies to address this pressing issue.