We all know that kids are struggling. It's almost a guarantee that any American can turn on the news after work and learn of another act of violence or suicide completed by a youth whose mental health needs were not being addressed. Even before the COVID pandemic began, in the 10 years leading up to quarantine, feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness- as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors- increased by about 40% among young people. After 2 years of the "lost youth experience," data has become even more staggering.

• 44% of high school students reported feeling signs of depression within the last year.
• 55% of high school students reported they experienced emotional abuse by a parent or other adult in the home.
• 64% of teens reported feeling the world is more stressful now than when parents were their age.

Despite the need for mental health services, a recent poll taken with youth by NAMI (National Institute on Mental Illness) showed that only 28% of teens report having received mental health treatment after experiencing symptoms. Research also suggests that the majority of U.S. teens feel that schools play an important role in helping promote better mental health for students, by offering counseling, prevention programs, and building relationships with trusted adults. However, on top of growing concerns about social media, mass violence, natural disasters, climate change, political polarization, family/school demands, financial hardships- not to mention the normal ups and downs of childhood and adolescence- addressing mental health can feel insurmountable for those who work with kids.

We're here to help. Did you know that NJ4S COMPASS - Monmouth, through Preferred Behavioral Health Group, now offers free prevention and mental wellness services to middle and high school students? The state-wide NJ4S initiative was designed and implemented by the State of New Jersey to offer additional supports to school staff who understand that the growing demand for mental health support to their students is a priority that cannot always be met alone. Services take place right in the school, right where the student spends most of their time. For additional information on our Tier 2 and Tier 3 services, view our flyer here.

Please see the information below on how to become a Salesforce representative for your school, so you can start making referrals today!

Applying for Tier 2/Tier 3 Services

Salesforce

·    Salesforce enables schools to submit applications for individual and group services for students

·    Used by NJ4S hubs to receive and process program applications, communicate with faculty, manage program sessions, share information on upcoming events, and create reports regarding program utilization

·    Up to 8 Salesforce Users per school can submit Tier 2 and Tier 3 service applications

Salesforce access

Fill out DCF’s NJ4S User Contact Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJ4Susercontacts to request Salesforce access.

For help with Salesforce registration, please email DCF's Salesforce help desk for school users at [email protected].

Request Salesforce Access

About NJ4S COMPASS:

COMPASS is a local program serving Ocean and Monmouth Counties under the umbrella of New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S). NJ4S is a new statewide initiative from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) and was designed to enhance access for students to prevention and mental health services.

Visit our Programs page to view our full menu of services.

?Interested in learning more about NJ4S COMPASS?

Call us at 732-961-4354 x2 or visit our website at https://www.preferredbehavioral.org/nj4scompass/.