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The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) is excited to partner with The Jed Foundation and Jared’s Fund to bring JED High School, a comprehensive mental health initiative designed specifically for teens, to Montclair High School.  March 25th will be an evening of storytelling and information sharing that highlights the urgency and hope for mental health support at Montclair High School. It will be hosted by and feature MHS students, talking about their ongoing efforts to destigmatize mental health issues.  In addition, attendees will learn about the new initiative from MHS administrators and representatives from JED.  This virtual event is open to students, caregivers and community members interested in learning more.

 

Featured Guests for UNMUTE!  

  • UNMUTE will be hosted by three Jared’s Fund fellows: Genesis Whitlock, Elias Benchekroun, and Jack Rodriquez-Vars who created a podcast that highlighted BIPOC voices who struggle with mental illness.

  • UNMUTE: We Don’t Need to Keep Silent About our Mental Health will feature some time with MHS Administrators Mr. Freeman, Ms. Alsina, and Mr. Clark. They will share the district’s commitment to supporting JED High School and the mental health of Montclair’s teens.

  • What is JED High School? Meet John MacPhee from JED. John will share a national perspective on teen mental health and introduce what JED High School means for Montclair. Learn more at https://www.jedfoundation.org/.

  • Jared’s Fund co-founders, Ken Zimmerman and Jackie Baillargeon, are excited to support this initiative at MHS. “We believe strongly in the power of young people to engage with a national leader like The Jed Foundation and the leadership of MHS and MFEE to address the deep mental health challenges faced by so many students. We have incredible ingredients for making MHS the leader in addressing mental health needs of its students."

    Learn more about Jared’s Fund: https://www.jaredsfund.com

  • End the Stigma is a new MHS student club founded by MHS sophomores, Maren Shapero, Justin Comini, Marin Furer, and Cesca Caldarella. The club builds awareness for supporting teen mental health, and this weekend they took advantage of the beautiful weather to "chalk the walk" with positive affirmations. Justin and Maren will share more about End the Stigma at Unmute! Learn more: https://www.montclairlocal.news/2021/01/08/end-the-stigma-helping-hands-montclair-nj/

  • Carmen Guthrie, MHS alumn, aspiring singer and ShowUP Montclair performer, will perform a song that has brought her healing. Music has been her salve as she manages her mental health, and Carmen will share a few words about the importance of building support for teen mental health.