The forefront of the agenda was the Teen Mental Health First Aid program, which had recently concluded its sessions with sophomores. This program is part of a broader effort to address mental health issues among the youth. Alongside this, the committee discussed the participation in National Night Out and planned a meeting to strategize for the event. The Community Wellness program was another key topic, with a proposal to partner with the Mayor’s Wellness committee and to present the program at the local library, emphasizing the importance of providing parents with information on eating disorders and body image.

The alliance also debated the Wellspring programs, with positive feedback on conflict resolution and outreach programs for the elderly. There was a suggestion to collaborate with the school counselors and health teachers to share the school-based presentations and integrate them into existing curricula.

In a recent session, committee confirmed Dr. Kelly Moore as a speaker for the Parent Institute at Cranbury School, focusing on helping children make informed decisions. The alliance grappled with whether to book Robert Hackinson for one or up to four presentations for middle school students, weighing the costs and potential overlap with the school’s curriculum. Despite concerns, the decision was made to allocate up to $6,000 for these presentations.

The conversation then shifted to the provision of resources for parents, highlighting various organizations and campaigns that support parents in dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. The members deliberated on the most effective ways to disseminate these resources, considering school events, the library, and online platforms as potential avenues.

The number of police calls to high schools due to substance abuse was a cause for concern, prompting discussions on programs for suicide prevention and positive mental health support. The alliance suggested offering these programs at the library in collaboration with the Mayor’s Wellness committee and stressed the need for follow-up support for individuals requiring further assistance.

The meeting also touched on the practicality of utilizing social media to provide community resources and the distribution of drug-free messaging materials during events such as Red Ribbon Week and National Night Out. The committee debated the logistics of funding for these initiatives, including the budget for sandwiches at the PHS orientation picnic and the quantity of t-shirts for National Night Out.

Public comments brought forth suggestions for disseminating senior programming information through religious facilities and pairing Parents Academy presentations with the teachers’ in-service day. An emphasis was laid on scheduling events to avoid conflicts with sporting events.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the national hotline for suicide and substance abuse prevention and an adjournment motion.