Shavonda E. Sumter, President and CEO, Keynotes on Youth and Mental Well-Being
President and CEO, Shavonda Sumter recently was a featured speaker at two events tied to the work of Children’s Aid and Family Services’ NJ4S initiative: supporting mental health among youth in the community. She was a keynote speaker for the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) Stigma Council Youth Roundtable, “Why There is an Ongoing Mental Health Crisis Among Children and Youth.” At this event, she discussed the ongoing mental health crisis among children and teens and delivered an inspiring keynote address on advocating for families and youth in the community. Shavonda was also the keynote speaker at Bergen’s Promise Inaugural Legislative Breakfast, where she delivered a powerful speech voicing her support for mental health services.
Supporting mental health requires a collective effort. With NJ4S, communities can support young people’s mental health through education and awareness, reducing stigma, ensuring services are accessible and providing peer support. With events like the Forest Friends series and Family Game Night, NJ4S connects youth in the community to social, emotional, clinical and non-clinical resources. To learn more about NJ4S events, please visit www.nj4sbergenhub.org/events.
