Princeton Students To Discuss Mental Health With Town Officials

PRINCETON, NJ — For many students in Princeton Public Schools, online learning is more than just time management.

It’s also about caring for their mental well-being.

The Princeton Youth Advisory Committee (PYAC), which advises the Mayor Mark Freda and council on issues of interest to youth in the community, is organizing a public forum to discuss the mental health and well-being of students.

This is the first time the township is gathering to talk about issues related to mental health of the young people amid the pandemic.

“In this time of the pandemic, a lot of people are struggling with feelings of isolation and hopelessness. A large point of the panel will be to show that student well-being is something that is considered in this municipality, and in this town,” said Soorya Baliga, a junior at Princeton High School, and member of PYAC.

Many parents in the past few months — through online petitions or at school board meetings —have highlighted the issue of mental health. This is for the first time students will be discussing the issue directly with stakeholders in the township.

As a college town, there is a “gigantic stress culture” in Princeton which was only exacerbated due to the pandemic, Baliga said .

The idea of the discussion is to “catalyze hope” at a time when many students are feeling isolated with social distancing guidelines and many on and off campus activities cancelled.

“It's a vulnerable time for teens who want to form relationships with friends, peers and people outside of our house,” said Baliga.

“Being stuck at home is such a massive detriment to a lot of teenagers trying to self-actualize and understand who they are.”

Baliga, who will be moderating the panel, said townships need to extend more support to young people who feel they are “not built for the times that we are in.”

The high school student also pointed out that many teens of color suffer disproportionately due to the pandemic.

“There needs to be increased mental health support specifically directed for families and students of color, just so they're not falling through the cracks, which they often do,” she said.

“People need to understand that they matter, they're beautiful and that they are wonderful contributors to our society.”

With interpersonal connections extremely hard to come by during this time, Baliga hopes the panel will reassure young people they have a support system to fall back on.

“Students who watch the panel, I hope they go back feeling more secure knowing the system will catch them if they fall,” she said.

“The important thing is we create a sense of peace for the viewers and people participating. Even if we reach just one person that's all that matters. Somebody should come out of this feeling more ready to continue.”

The Princeton Youth Advisory Committee would like young people, parents, guardians and anyone from the township to attend this public forum.

Panelists include Claudia Webster, social worker/clinician at Princeton Family Institute; Councilwoman Leticia Fraga; Riva Levy, Corner House Prevention programs Coordinator and Yash Roy, Princeton High School Student Liaison to the Board of Education.

The panel discussion is scheduled for March 11, 5 p.m.

Click on the link below to join: https://princetonk12.zoom.us/j/83407019714?pwd=ekFnNEpLVGo2dDRhZVlJWURPMmsvQT09 Passcode: 754508

Or iPhone one-tap :

US: +13126266799, 83407019714# or +16465588656,,83407019714#

Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782

Webinar ID: 834 0701 9714

International numbers available: https://princetonk12.zoom.us/u/kcDR2M74gN

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.