Dare to Care Peer Educators Present at Inaugural New Jersey Statewide Student Mental Health Summit

Dare to Care peer educators Alyssa Housley and Jillian Daley, both seniors, proudly represented Seton Hall University at the inaugural New Jersey Statewide Student Mental Health Summit, held on Wednesday October 8 2025 at Kean University. Hosted by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), the summit featured peer-led presentations on topics such as peer education and support systems, mental health and social justice, social determinants of health and educating across the institution. With more than 200 attendees, the daylong event fostered collaboration, advocacy and innovation in student wellness across New Jersey’s higher education landscape.

Alyssa and Jillian presented “Mission Integration: Incorporating Peer Education into Campus Community.” Participants gained resources to create mission statements that align with their organization and institutional mission. Alyssa and Jillian shared strategies for embedding peer support into the fabric of campus community and highlighted the impact of Dare to Care’s initiatives such as the THRIVE Workshop at Seton Hall.

Reflecting on the experience, Alyssa shared, “Attending [the summit] at Kean University allowed me a glimpse into student mental health awareness efforts in academic institutions across the state. It was incredible to not only attend a conference by students and for students but to play an active role through presenting. I loved the opportunity to represent Dare to Care and to discuss all the incredible work our team has accomplished in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in our campus community.”

Jillian echoed that sentiment, adding, “Attending and presenting at the first OSHE Mental Health Summit for students was an experience I am so grateful for. Meeting other students and faculty in organizations that have very similar missions and visions to Dare to Care and Seton Hall gave me so much confidence in the continuation of mental health awareness on college campuses throughout New Jersey. I am proud to be in an organization so passionate about the well-being of our community, and I was inspired to hear others talk about their projects. I hope to take this information back to Seton Hall and continue to work toward our mission of creating a destigmatized campus community.”

The summit marked a significant milestone in the advancement of student-led mental health advocacy across New Jersey. Dare to Care is a university-wide partnership committed to suicide prevention and destigmatizing mental health. Dare to Care remains deeply committed to empowering all members of the Seton Hall community through access to trainings such as Ready to Care, resources and promoting effective strategies for managing mental health and supporting others.

Categories: Health and Medicine