Jennifer Huey received the Mental Health Awareness Training School Ambassador of the Year award from Brian Preiser, Manager, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery, at the 2024 DART Year End Celebration
May 30, 2025 - Many individuals, regardless of age or life circumstances, experience mental health challenges and may be uncertain of where to find help.
Jennifer Huey, a science teacher at Toms River High School North, witnessed this firsthand during and after the COVID-19 pandemic when her loved ones and students faced mental health challenges, in part due to the loss of socialization and sense of identity. This experience led Jennifer to research mental health resources. “I wanted to understand their situation better, so I immersed myself in research—exploring scientific literature, watching educational videos and seeking resources online,” she explained. “This experience highlighted my feelings of inadequacy and unpreparedness, ultimately igniting a passion within me to pursue mental health training, so I could be better equipped to help others navigate similar challenges.”
Coming out of the pandemic, Jennifer wanted to do more to help. After becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid, Jennifer became a mental health awareness advocate, working with the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) and school administration to bring Mental Health First Aid to the Toms River Regional School District.
Brian Preiser, Manager, RWJBarnabas Health
Institute for Prevention and Recovery
Mental Health First Aid
Brian Preiser, Training Institute Manager at IFPR, facilitates Mental Health First Aid trainings in schools and communities throughout New Jersey. “Mental Health First Aid equips participants with the skills and knowledge to identify mental health and substance use challenges and respond thoughtfully with support,” said Brian. “It’s designed to teach participants how to recognize signs of mental health challenges in themselves or others and connect to appropriate supports.”
Designed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Mental Health First Aid offers programs for teens and adults in several specialized formats, including military and veterans, first responders and more. The program takes a practical approach to mental health, teaching participants about the warning signs of mental health issues.
“IFPR’s goal in offering Mental Health First Aid is to create informed and empowered communities where individuals feel prepared to help themselves and others. Since the program began in 2023, we’ve connected with many schools, organizations and individuals—all eager to help others who may be experiencing a mental health challenge,” said Brian. “IFPR has trained over 3,000 adults and teens across Ocean County in Mental Health First Aid since the program launched. Through the program, we’ve connected with others, like Jennifer, eager to bring positive change in their communities.”
Jennifer Huey, Science Teacher,
Toms River High School North
Turning Awareness into Action
“Mental Health First Aid turns awareness into action by training participants in effective communication strategies, coping mechanisms and intervention techniques,” Brian explained. “This training is a combination of prevention education and interventional awareness to decrease mental health stigma and increase awareness of mental health challenges.”
Once certified, Jennifer advocated for Mental Health First Aid in the Toms River community. “I aspire to be a catalyst for positive change and contribute to the de-stigmatization of mental health issues,” said Jennifer.
Having the training in her school was particularly important to Jennifer as she saw her students’ day-to-day mental health challenges. Through the combined efforts of IFPR, Jennifer and school administration, over 90 teachers and staff at Toms River Regional School District’s three high schools were trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), and over 1,500 Toms River high school sophomores were trained in teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) in 2024. Planning has already begun to increase training opportunities for staff and students in the 2025-2026 school year.
Practical Uses of Mental Health First Aid
In addition to teaching participants how to recognize the warning signs of mental health challenges, the training also uses stories from those with lived experience and scenario-based role play. Participants act out scenarios with partners, practicing the MHFA action plan as if the individual in the scenario were their own friend.
“When it comes to mental health challenges, we can be quick to ignore the warning signs and not get the help we need,” said Brian. “This training empowers participants with clear action plans to have meaningful conversations about mental health. With over four million adults trained across the United States, studies have shown the effectiveness of MHFA training.”
After becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider, Jennifer has had more open and meaningful conversations with her students. “The training has transformed my approach to situations and discussions with my students. I now engage proactively with my students, having a heightened sense of awareness and empathy, and I recognize the importance of creating a safe space for open dialogue,” Jennifer shared. “I actively seek opportunities to initiate conversations about emotions, challenges and coping mechanisms rather than waiting for issues to arise. Most importantly, I feel better equipped to handle difficult conversations, using the tools and techniques I learned during the training to guide discussions effectively.”
This training is one way IFPR is building the foundation for healthier, more compassionate communities.
About the Institute for Prevention and Recovery
The RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) is a leader in creating the systems and services necessary to improve the health of communities throughout New Jersey. For over 30 years, IFPR has provided substance use disorder prevention programs, nicotine and tobacco treatment and innovative recovery support and social care services, taking a system change approach to address social determinants of health and enhance care delivery systems throughout RWJBarnabas Health and New Jersey.
IFPR is one of the largest providers of hospital-based recovery support services in the United States and the largest provider of free tobacco and nicotine treatment services in New Jersey.
IFPR first brought Mental Health First Aid to communities throughout Ocean County through the Mental Health Awareness Training grant—$600,000 over three years—awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Through IFPR’s Training Institute, Mental Health First Aid is available across New Jersey.
Learn more about RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery Training Institute.