Attitudes In Reverse® Honors Suzanne Keller as Partner in Hope

PRINCETON, NJ, September 16, 2024 – Budget cuts in many school districts throughout New Jersey have resulted in less funding for youth mental health and suicide prevention education. Unfortunately, this is happening at a time when the rates of depression, anxiety and suicide risk among youth are continuing to increase, which underscores the need for such education. Suzanne Keller, LSW, MSW, Supervisor, The SOURCE School-Based Youth Services Program and Freshman Academy at Red Bank Regional High School, is determined to ensure that students gain this essential knowledge and, as a result, connection to support, through an ongoing relationship with Attitudes In Reverse® (AIR®). In recognition of Keller’s dedication to strengthen youths’ mental health, AIR will honor her with a Partner in Hope Award during the 8th Annual Taste of Hope event on October 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, Princeton, New Jersey.

Keller learned about AIR nearly 10 years ago during a School-Based Youth Services meeting with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Office of School Linked Services, which funds The SOURCE and similar programs throughout the state. “Tricia presented her Coming Up for AIR program, and I immediately knew that I wanted to incorporate it into our Suicide Education and Prevention Curriculum presentations in our health classes,” Keller said.

“I am honored to receive this award because it symbolizes the strong and impactful partnership between The SOURCE and AIR. Through this collaboration, we have provided essential mental health education and resources to students in both English and Spanish, helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues,” Keller said. “The partnership with AIR has allowed us to offer comprehensive programs like the Coming Up for AIR presentation, which educates students and provides them with practical tools and a supportive community.”

“Suzanne is an inspiration and a role model for the initiative and dedication that school faculty and staff need in order to strengthen students’ mental health. In addition to overseeing highly effective school-based counseling services, Suzanne brings her AIR Therapy Dog Riley to give students, as well as her colleagues, the opportunity to gain mental health benefits that dogs naturally provide,” added AIR Co-Founder Tricia Baker.

“All of us at AIR are extremely proud and grateful to be working with Suzanne on our mutual goal of empowering students with essential education about mental health and suicide prevention,” added AIR Co-Founder Kurt Baker. “AIR’s programs augment schools’ health education curriculum, and the AIR Dogs add a unique, meaningful value that not only inspires students to feel comfortable speaking up about their struggles, but also in helping them retain the vital information we present to them.”

Keller will be honored along with Champions of Hope Bill Wells, Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager at TD Bank and a member of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and Rachelle St. Phard, Founder of The BeTheLi9ht Foundation; and Partners in Hope Jeanette Vega, Director of Grant Financial Administration, The College of New Jersey; Evelyn Bardzilowski, Vice President and Branch Manager, Northfield Bank; and Dawn Aulisi, Student Assistance Coordinator for Toms River Regional Schools.

AIR is most appreciative of the Taste of Hope event sponsors Szaferman Lakind Attorneys at Law; Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law; TD Bank; Philadelphia Insurance Companies; Leary, Bride, Mergner & Bongiovanni P.A. Attorneys at Law; Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America; Princeton Brain & Spine; Oaks Integrated Care; Renzi Legal Resources; Hinkle, Prior & Fischer Attorneys at Law; J. Robert Bratman; Summit Dental Partners; Oswald & Zoschak Family Law Attorneys; Moore Engineering Services; Cynthia Bratman, PsyD; and Brian Greenwald, MD.

AIR is equally grateful for the participating restaurants and dessert, wine and spirit vendors are Antimo's Italian Restaurant, Bonefish Grill, Carella's Chocolates, CATB Liquor Imports, Crown of India, De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies, Iron & Ivy at Princeton Marriott, Joe Canal's Discount Liquor, KK Sweets, Local Greek, Outback Steakhouse, PF Chang's, Pink Little Cakes, Public Wine, Beer & Spirits, Texas Roadhouse, Quality Wine & Spirits, Railroad Distillery, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Seasons 52, Sourland Mountain Spirits and Starbucks.

To register to sponsor and/or attend the Taste of Hope event or make a donation, please visit www.toh.ngo.

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Attitudes In Reverse® (AIR®) was established by Tricia, Kurt and Katelyn Baker of Plainsboro, NJ, in 2010, soon after their son/brother Kenny died by suicide following a long battle against severe depression and anxiety. Their mission is to save lives by educating students about mental health, related disorders and suicide prevention. Since January 2011, they have presented to more than 200,000 students in elementary, middle and high schools and colleges in New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Missouri, Texas and Arizona. AIR also offers the AIR Dogs: Paws for MindsSM program, bringing dogs into schools to help students de-stress and engage in the conversation about mental health. In addition, AIR trains and certifies Emotional Support Animals and offers a lunch-and-learn program for businesses. For more information about AIR, please visit www.air.ngo or call 609-945-3200.

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