Regional SMART Event Held to Bolster Mental Health

Related Photos

• 
  Hamburg Superintendent Mike Cornell
• 
  Community Partner Expo
• 
  Parent Panel
• 
  Media Interview

Today, the Supporting Mental Health and Advocating for Resources Together (SMART) Collaborative held its annual event at Norton Hall, University at Buffalo. This event marked a pivotal step in enhancing mental health support for children in the region. Over 300 attendees, including representatives from more than 30 school districts and 60 county and community organizations, gathered to address the growing mental health needs of children and adolescents.

The event featured expert panels, breakout sessions, and an exhibition of agencies to promote awareness and networking. Key sessions included:

• Morning Keynote by Dr. Melanie Sage on "Mental Health and Social Media," which explored the dual role of technology in youth well-being and offered strategies for its ethical use in social work.
• Multiple panels featuring parent, student and pediatrician perspectives providing firsthand accounts of navigating mental health challenges that highlighted the importance of supportive educational environments.
• Trauma Institute Workshop, Family Support Center and Project Based Learning sessions that showcased community-based approaches and mental health literacy efforts.
• A delicious lunch provided by the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo

The event underscored the need for a coordinated response to mental health concerns, leveraging the expertise and resources of educators, mental health professionals and community leaders. The active participation and diverse representation at the event highlighted the community's dedication to fostering a supportive environment for children's mental health and well-being.

About SMART

The Supporting Mental Health by Advocating for Resources Together (SMART) Collaborative is one of New York State’s most unique community initiatives. SMART brings together P-12 educators in school districts, community agencies, and representatives from county government to collaborate on available mental health and social-emotional learning tools within the community. With the help of a steering committee of school district leaders, the collaborative is administered by Erie 1 and Erie 2 BOCES in partnership with Erie County and the University at Buffalo (UB).