Welcome back to the NJ4S Union Hub series, where we center conversations that promote emotional wellness, safety, and healthy connection for young people and families.


In this Valentine’s season, this session, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt: Healthy Relationships as Mental Health Prevention,” presented by Bintou Akeisha Ndoye, MPH, explores how healthy relationships play a powerful role in protecting mental health and preventing harm.

Bintou breaks down what healthy love truly looks like—rooted in respect, communication, boundaries, and mutual care—and contrasts it with unhealthy and harmful relationship patterns that often go unnoticed or normalized. This session highlights how early education and awareness around relationships can serve as a critical form of mental health prevention.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What Defines a Healthy Relationship: Key traits like respect, trust, and communication
  • Recognizing Red Flags: Early warning signs of unhealthy or harmful dynamics
  • The Mental Health Impact: How relationships influence self-esteem, stress, and emotional well-being
  • Prevention Through Education: Why teaching healthy relationship skills matters for youth
  • Love with Intention: Building connections that support safety, growth, and wellness

Whether you’re a student, educator, caregiver, or community member, this conversation reminds us that love should never cause harm—and that healthy relationships are essential to emotional well-being and long-term mental health.

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Have questions or want to connect? Email us at: nj4sunion@preventionlinks.org