Kappa Delta Pi organizes conference on youth mental health

salvetoday Posted On November 22, 2019
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Pictured from left: Kappa Delta Pi executive board and advisor Kaitlyn Mingione ’20, Brianna Colangelo ’20, Dr. Elaine Silva Mangiante, Colleen Daly ’20 and Bridget Oulundsen ’21

Salve Regina’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education, recently convened more than 100 students, faculty and clinical educators for a conference on youth mental health.

Focusing on the factors that can impact students’ mental health, along with strategies and resources to support affected students, the conference featured the following speakers:

  • Melody Gamba, adjunct faculty member in Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, who shared how expressive arts can promote mental wellness while increasing community, connection and engagement.
  • Susan Trostle Brand, an education professor at the University of Rhode Island, who discussed depression and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ students.
  • Cody Morris, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, who provided practical assessment strategies and interventions for students who engage in challenging behaviors in school.
  • David Vieira, program coordinator for the Newport Community School, who discussed how Newport’s public schools help students with mental health needs and described the mental health first aid training available to educators.
  • Amanda Minor, associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Expressive Arts, who discussed the epidemic of child sexual abuse and its impact on children’s mental health.

Bridget Oulundsen ’21, president of Kappa Delta Pi, came up with the idea for the conference. “As future teachers, Salve’s education students needed more information about this very important topic, which often has stigma attached to it and often doesn’t get the attention it needs,” she said.

“This phenomenal conference prepared us as future teachers to help students who come into our classrooms with a host of challenges,” said Michael Rosati ’21, who is double majoring in elementary and special education. “Issues around mental health must be addressed first and foremost before any instruction can occur effectively. I walked away with a variety of strategies to help make sure each of my students feels safe, comfortable and ready to learn each day.”