Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Mental Health

According to a 2024 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), among individuals aged 13–17, 16% experience mood disorders, 34% experience anxiety disorders, and 20% experience behavioral disorders. Common diagnoses for children aged 3–17 years in New Jersey include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral/conduct problems, anxiety, and depression.

New Jersey schools are uniquely positioned to identify early signs of mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders. By providing social-emotional support services and fostering critical coping skills, schools contribute to the emotional, social, and academic success of every student, particularly in the wake of increased mental health challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The Child Mind Institute
    • Provides free, evidence-based resources o help families supports children's mental health, including guides, article, and videos on various mental health topics.
  • Family Acceptance Project
    • Provides research-based resources and family education materials to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth, helping families foster acceptance and reduce risk factors.

  • 7 Cups
    • Offers a safe, anonymous platform where teens can connect with trained listeners and licensed therapists through secure chat, along with self-help guides and community forums.
  • TeenMentalHealth.org
    • Offers accessible information on mental health conditions, coping strategies, and support tools to improve mental health literacy among teens.
  • BeMe
    • A digital mental health platform providing teens personalized support through chat-based services, interactive content, and access to licensed therapists.
  • TeensHealth 
    • From Nemours provides adolescents education on a variety of mental health topics and is overseen by medical professionals
  • Set To Go
    • A program by the Jed Foundation provides resources and tools to help high school students, parents, and educators navigate the transition from high school to college
  • National Institute of Mental Health- Do I have Depression?
  • Mental Health Applications
    • Breathe2Relax
      • Users follow along as the app provides deep breathing exercises to lower stress levels. 
    • Happify
      • Utilizes games and activities to help users relax.
    • Headspace
      • Provides guided meditation based on areas of concern.
  • Hotlines / Helplines - available 24 hours / 7 days a week

  • Social-Emotional Learning Activities - This website offers social-emotional learning activities for the classroom to support positive mental health.
  • Coping Skills for Kids - This website offers coping skills resources for teachers and parents, including worksheets and activities.
  • Headspace for Educators - This website offers mindfulness resources for educators, including guided meditations and resources for self-care.
  • Sesame Street in Communities - This website offers resources and activities for the classroom to support social-emotional learning and positive mental health.
  • The Center for School Mental Health - This website offers resources and articles on promoting positive mental health in schools, including resources for teachers.
  • The MindUP Curriculum - This website offers resources and activities for promoting mindfulness and positive mental health in the classroom.
  • Mindful Schools - This website offers mindfulness resources for educators, including guided meditations and resources for self-care.
  • The Calm Classroom - This website offers resources for promoting calm and positive mental health in the classroom, including breathing exercises and mindfulness activities.
  • Smiling Mind - This website offers free mindfulness resources for educators and students, including guided meditations and resources for self-care.

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