Peer Conference Brings a Dozen Schools to Learn About Mental Health

Wildwood, NJ – After two back-to-back years as a virtual event, Cape Assist and Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition (CMCHCC) led this year’s Peer Leadership Conference in-person on Nov. 18. The conference titled “You Can Lean on Me” was attended by close to 400 students from grades 6-12 for a day of fun, learning, and growth.

The 27th annual conference invited students from local middle and high schools to leadership, citizenship, and mental wellbeing workshops geared towards personal development and healthy choices. The Wildwood Convention Center was packed with eager students from 14 Cape May County Schools.

“This year, we are happy to be able to talk to and work with students in-person,” said CMCHCC Coordinator Natalia Leusner. “The students were able to engage and talk through some important topics. And we are so grateful to our many community partners for helping make this conference a success! It’s the collaboration of many community sectors that allows us to create impactful and meaningful experiences for students at this event.”

This year's Keynote speaker was Dr. Ricki Gibbs, principal of the award-winning school Warner Arts Magnet Elementary, motivational speaker and educational advocate. Gibb’s speech was titled “We All Lean on Someone,” which explored the effects of stress on young people’s brain and body, along with a discussion on the positive effects of healthy relationships.

Multiple breakout sessions were taught by the peer leaders from Wildwood High School, Lower Cape May Regional High School, and Cape May Technical High school as well as by Cape Assist staff and our community partners such as Atlantic Cape Community College, the CARA Coalition, the SOAR Church youth leaders, Authentic Strive Yoga, and Incorruptible.US youth group.

“The Peer Leadership Conference touches on relevant issues and situations youths face, so we try to always innovate for what’s coming next,” said Cape Assist Executive Director Katie Faldetta. “The information gives these student leaders guidance on how to handle uncomfortable situations along with tips they can use to guide their peers in turn.”

The workshops were split evenly between high school and middle school attendees, with ten in total. Each one was tailored to address different aspects of mental health, responsibility, and leadership.

• Yoga: Focus on mindfulness and being present; the importance of breath
• Finding Your Leader Within: Using the C.A.R.E. method learn critical decision making
• Not for Sale 2.0: Learn the secrets of how Big Green is using old methods to appeal to the youth

• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Peers helping peers learn teamwork
• Step Up: How to be a positive influence on others
• Jeopardy – Don't Get Vaped In: Quiz yourself on how Vaping is being marketed to and affects youth
• Cooperative Games: Learning how to be a leader might seem like fun and games when you break it down!
• Healthy Relationships: Explore healthy boundaries, ways to maintain them, and why they matter a lot!

• That’s Just Awkward!: Some conversations are awkward but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important! Learn how self-care and emotional courage are important to relationships.
• How Do I Say No?: Knowing how to communicate effectively and critical skills of negotiation and refusal are important in relationships.

Besides the workshops, the students had an opportunity to visit exhibit tables of multiple community organizations and learn about programs and resources available to youth in our county. Alongside the partners mentioned above, there were tables set up by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department, CMC Dept. of Health, Ambassadors of the 4-H Club, Wildwood Police Department, Cape May County Library, NJ Council on Compulsive Gambling, No Limits Academy, and Lower TWP Healthy Youth Coalition.

One stand-out feature was two real voting booths provided by the County which allowed students who are not yet of age to vote to learn about how they can vote in elections. They were set up with a mock ballot and shown how to fill it out so that everyone can have a say when the time comes.

Temerity Berry of Cape Assist also talked to student advisors about Cape Assist programs that are available to schools and that promote youth mental health.

“The Peer Leadership Conference was a great event, the ability for students from all over the county to learn new skills and empower each other”, said Sherry Phillips, CMCHCC Coalition Chair. “It is refreshing to see so many young people excited about bringing what they learned back to their schools to assist and empower other students to be leaders and live a healthy lifestyle.”

After their successful return to an in-person event, the Peer Leadership Conference looks forward to next year.

For more information on the conference, visit cmcpeerleadership.org.

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