Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy Sponsors Walk Team for Mental Health Awareness

The annual National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walks New Jersey event was held on Saturday, October 5, at Middlesex College in Edison, NJ. Faculty and students of the Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media sponsored a team, "SHU’s Hearts and Soles,” to stand in solidarity with NAMI and help raise awareness for mental illness.

Roshni Patel, a psychological studies master's candidate, coordinated and guided the walk team.

“It is a wonderful privilege as an aspiring psychologist to work with Seton Hall’s Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy and Laura Delprete at NAMI New Jersey,” Patel said. “As a team we are creating a meaningful footprint in our community to pave a path towards spreading awareness and advocating about mental health.”

At NAMIWalks New Jersey, individuals, families and communities united in a symbolic walk of hope. This collective effort sparked crucial conversations about mental health and the stigma surrounding mental illness. The event fostered inclusion and empowerment for those facing these challenges, offering support, education and advocacy for all.

Through initiatives such as support groups, family education programs and crisis intervention training, NAMI offers hope. They empower families, caregivers and advocates to better understand mental health challenges, thus creating a more compassionate and inclusive community.

NAMI’s mission resonates deeply with the values and goals of the Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy. The department's decision to sponsor and participate in NAMIWalks New Jersey demonstrates its unwavering dedication to mental health education and service.

“It is our mission to support those who suffer from mental health illnesses and their families to promote a healthier well-being,” Patel said. “Mental health is just as important as our physical health.”

The Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy prepares graduate students to serve in the fields of doctoral-level psychology, professional counseling, school psychology, psychological studies, school counseling and applied behavior analysis. By participating in this event, students and faculty engaged firsthand with mental health advocacy.

As acting department chair Jason Tramm writes, “We are the walk - advocating for mental health, breaking stigmas and supporting those in need.”

Categories: Arts and Culture