NJ A4224

Requires all New Jersey higher education institutions to implement mental health awareness programs including annual orientation sessions, online screening tools, and prominent website displays of mental health resources

Mandates that student advisors, resident assistants, and campus security personnel complete Mental Health First Aid training before beginning their duties

Requires institutions to establish student peer support programs utilizing best practices from SAMHSA's recovery model, with clear policies on confidentiality and role boundaries

Directs institutions to form partnerships with local mental health providers and work toward a benchmark ratio of one clinical staff member per 1,250 students through on-campus services, off-campus agreements, and telehealth

Creates a Technical Assistance Center under the Secretary of Higher Education to develop standardized mental health leave policies, disseminate best practices, collect statewide data, and monitor institutional compliance