A contingency of high school students from Long Island last week joined Cohen/Northwell Health to Albany for Mental Health Matters Legislative Day.

The group attended an advocacy conference where NYS Commissioner of Education Dr. Rosa and NYS Commissioner of Mental Health Dr. Sullivan were the keynote speakers, followed by a rally at the Capital building. “It was a wonderful learning experience as student voices were heard and respected,” said Iris Kline, Wantagh High School Social Worker.

Later, they met with local lawmakers, including State Senator Steve Rhoads who represents the Wantagh community, to push for specific legislation including Mental Health Workforce funding, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline funding, school mental health service expansion, faculty annual mental health training, excused absences for mental/behavioral health and adoption of suicide prevention, intervention and post-vention in schools.