Cape Assist Hosts 28th Annual Peer Leadership Conference for Hundreds of Youths in the County (Cape Assist)
Hundreds of Cape May County students take part in the annual Peer Leadership Conference as keynote speaker Rikki Barton discusses mental health.
Wildwood, NJ – Nearly 400 students recently participated in the 28th annual Peer Leadership Conference held by Cape Assist and the Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition (CMCHCC). The conference provides a diverse group environment for students in middle and high school to participate in fun and engaging activities surrounding mental health, prevention, citizenship and leadership. Cape Assist and the CMCHCC assembled a roster of collaborative workshops around the theme “Protecting Our Mental Health in the Digital Age.”
Founder and Lead Consultant of Onward Consulting, Rikki Barton, headlined the conference as this year’s keynote speaker. Her presentation, titled “MOLD: Shifting the Future Social Story” highlighted how social media positively and negatively affects youth’s mental health. She challenged students to become leaders in the internet arena and provided tips on protecting themselves online.
“The use of social media has skyrocketed for years, and youth are starting to understand the effect it can have on their mental health; good and bad,” said CMCHCC Coordinator Natalia Leusner. “Rikki did a fantastic job opening that conversation, allowing us to offer them ways to take care of their own mental wellbeing, online and offline.”
Following the address, students attended interactive workshops run by Cape Assist’s prevention specialists and community partners from Authentic Strive Yoga, Cape May County (CMC) Division of Community & Behavioral Health Services, CMC Sherrif’s Office, and Barton herself. Students from CMC Technical High School (Cape Tech), Lower Cape May Regional High School and Wildwood High School also led workshops for their peers.
This year’s workshop offerings covered a variety of topics from continuing the important talks around social media to managing high stress situations offline. These workshops included:
- “Don’t Get Vaped In” Games: Test your knowledge of Vaping through a round of Jeopardy or Kahoot!
- Cooperative Games: Learning how to be a leader might seem like fun and games when you break it down!
- Managing Stress Through Breathwork: Leave with two soothing techniques for re-setting and bringing your body back into balance.
- That’s Not What I Meant: Miscommunication on Social Media and How it Can Affect Our Mental Health: Discover how miscommunication and misunderstandings online make us feel and how you can handle it like a pro.
- How Do I Say No?: Knowing how to communicate effectively and critical skills of negotiation and refusal are important in relationships.
- Breaking the I.C.E.: Learn how to use Inclusion, Confidence, and knowing you are Enough to “break the ice” in any social setting.
- Yoga: Focus on mindfulness and being present while you stretch, breathe, and relax.
- A Deeper Dive: The Dangers of Social Media: Recognize the signs of unsafe people online and how to involve adults you trust.
- Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Peers helping peers learn teamwork.
- Self-Care Through Mindfulness: Activate your senses to help you live a happy and peaceful life.
- Ending the Stigma: Let’s Talk About Mental Health: Being there for your friends and checking on them when they’re down will always be important!
Between workshops, students had the opportunity to visit tables run by community organizations including: the Coalition Against Rape and Abuse (CARA), Cape May Court House Library-Teen Department, No Limits Academy, CMC Health Department, 2nd Floor Helpline, Hope One, Atlantic Cape Community College, 4H-Club, The Lower Township Healthy Youth Coalition, The HCC Resiliency Team, Incorruptible.us, Cape Assist, New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN), Tobacco Free NJ, New Jersey State Student Support Services (NJ4S) as well as large police presence from the county’s Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s office, Wildwood Crest, Cape May City, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Middle Township, Lower Township and Wildwood police departments.
“We strive to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to mental health, substance misuse prevention and overall, just being a good citizen. It’s a domino effect. Our young leaders can implement the strategies they learn here amongst their peers,” says Cape Assist Executive Director and CEO Katie Faldetta. “Every part of this conference demonstrates that they have power to advocate for themselves and remind them that they have a network of people to support them.”
MTMS NJHS students posing with their award plaque after winning the Peer Leadership Challenge: “Healthy Boundaries in the Digital Age.”
A highlight of the afternoon was a friendly competition between schools for the Peer Leadership Challenge: “Healthy Boundaries in the Digital Age.” Students created their project beforehand, and members of the HCC voted on the winner at the conference. Middle Township Middle School (MTMS) National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) students took home first prize with their project which featured visuals of multiple popular social media applications and explanations on how to use them wisely. They emphasized the positive and negative aspects of social media and included resources titled “How to Respond to Negative Comments” and “How to use Social Media the Right Way.” The students will get to enjoy a pizza party courtesy of Cape Assist.
MTMS NJHS winning project featured on display.
“As National Junior Honors Society members, these students know they are role models, not only for the other middle school students but all students anywhere,” said MTMS NJHS advisor Constance Chabok. “This was a platform where they could excel at showing their leadership skills and qualities.”
Cape Assist also brought back a popular feature to the conference again this year: mock voting booths. The booths help students learn the ins and outs of the voting process, so that when they are of age to vote they have no trouble making their voices heard.
With another successful event completed, Cape Assist and the HCC are already eagerly planning for next year’s Peer Leadership Conference. For more information on the conference or how to get involved, visit cmcpeerleadership.org.