P.R.I.D.E. Committee Conference Educates on ‘Creating Safe Spaces for Our Youth’

SWAINTON – More than 100 attendees — educators, law enforcement, parents, and youth-serving organizations — attended the sixth annual P.R.I.D.E. (Prevention, Resources, Innovation, Development, Education) Committee Conference Jan. 23. 
According to a release, Creating Safe Spaces for Our Youth, this year’s theme, addressed the needs of at-risk youth. The Cape May County P.R.I.D.E. Committee hosted the conference at Avalon Links Restaurant. 
Natalia Wilber, Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition coordinator for Cape Assist, and Michael McKnight, education specialist for the state Department of Education, opened the conference with statistics garnered from the recent P.R.I.D.E. survey completed by middle school and high school students in the county.  
“Children are the most honest barometer of the health of our communities,” stated McKnight. “If they have experienced toxic levels of stress or Advanced Childhood Experiences (ACEs), they are at much greater risk. Adverse childhood experiences are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood. ACE’s are linked to chronic health problems, substance abuse, behavioral issues, learning difficulties and many other poor outcomes without intervention.” 
A recent study in New Jersey found that more than 40% of children in the state (782,000 children) have experienced one ACE, and 18% of New Jersey children have experienced multiple ACE’s.
Having one strong role model or support figure to connect with can dramatically impact the course of children’s lives. Resiliency Research exhibits that connections matter for children and adolescents struggling with toxic levels of stress, anxiety or depression.
“These connections can be intentionally created for our youth in our homes, our schools, our sports organizations, by our police officers, our faith-based communities, really, anywhere adults interact with young people,” stated McKnight. 
From there, keynote speaker Noel Hiers, LCSW, presented Mental Wellness and Safe Spaces for LGBTQI+ Youth. During her session, Hiers gave an overview of the current definitions and local trends within this community, including the biology of intersex people, and revealed the science that proves that gender exists beyond a binary.  
Her discussion revealed that LGBTQI+ youth are at greater risk for suicide attempts, substance use, homelessness, and eating disorders. “Among the LGBTQI+ youth, 29% attempted suicide,” stated Hiers. “Not contemplating suicide, actual attempts. Suicide is preventable. The more we can do with suicide prevention and establishing safe spaces, the safer our communities will be for all people.” 
Hiers welcomed Michelle, a trans female, to address the crowd. This was Michelle’s first time speaking to an audience, but she unabashedly shared her journey, and offered both insight and hope, saying, “In light of everything I have experienced, my worst day living as a woman is still better than my best day living as a man.” 
After the presentation, attendees were able to ask Hiers and Michelle questions during a Q&A session.  
Immediately following the session, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland spoke on the importance of reporting bias intimidation and similar incidents toward the LGBTQI+ community. Sutherland noted that the number of reports of bias were few. 
In 2019, two incidents were reported. In 2018, there were five.
He emphasized the need to report an incident, even if unsure if what happened was relevant or not, as it can help eliminate the threats to those affected. 
“Cases are severely underreported,” stated Sutherland. “If you are not sure, report it anyway.” 
The last session of the day, entitled Mental Health First Aid, was presented by Nicole Caruso, MSW, school social worker at Lower Cape May Regional High School, and Tracey Nagle, RN, BSN, CSN, school nurse at Middle Township High School. 
Caruso and Nagle provided an overview of the eight-hour course on how to identify, understand, and respond to those exhibiting signs of mental illness and substance use disorder. 
The training provides skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance abuse problem, or experiencing a crisis.
Formed in 2013, the Cape May County P.R.I.D.E. Committee strives to build awareness of the current epidemic of prescription drugs, opiate misuse, and the dangerous link to heroin use. 
The P.R.I.D.E. acronym stands for Prevention, Resources, Innovation, Development, Education. Members of the committee include representatives from the Sea Isle City School Board, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, the Cape May County Office of Education, County Educators, the County Department of Human Services, and Cape Assist.