Welcome back to the NJ4S Union Hub series, where we explore real conversations that shape the well-being of students, families, and communities across Union County.

In this session, “Wellness Without Borders: How Culture Shapes Mental Health,” presenter Briana Ampadu leads an insightful discussion on how culture influences the way we understand, express, and care for our mental health. From cultural stigmas and generational beliefs to community traditions and healing practices, this session dives into how identity and lived experience impact access to support and the ways we define wellness. Briana invites viewers to rethink what “mental health” looks like across different cultures—and how schools, families, and communities can create more inclusive spaces for healing and belonging.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health: How values, traditions, and community norms shape our understanding of wellness
  • Breaking Stigma: Addressing misconceptions and opening up healthy conversations across cultures
  • Bridging Gaps in Support: Building culturally responsive approaches to care in schools and communities
  • Empowerment Through Identity: How self-awareness and cultural pride strengthen emotional well-being
  • Collective Healing: The role of connection, empathy, and shared experience in promoting mental health equity

Whether you’re an educator, parent, student, or community advocate, this conversation encourages you to see mental health through a more global, inclusive lens—because everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and understood.

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