Youth from Across New Jersey Share Personal Stories, Highlighting the Power of Peer Support, the Importance of Being Heard—and How 2NDFLOOR®’s Free App is Making a Difference During Mental Health Awareness Month

TRENTON – First Lady Tammy Murphy convened youth leaders from across the Garden State for a roundtable discussion focused on youth mental health and their experiences using the free 2NDFLOOR® Youth Helpline app. The discussion, held at the Historical Barn at Drumthwacket, brought together five youth volunteers and representatives from 180 Turning Lives Around, the nonprofit organization that operates 2NDFLOOR®.

The roundtable, which took place during Mental Health Awareness Month, underscored New Jersey’s commitment to addressing the youth mental health crisis and promoting awareness of the critical resources and support programs currently available to young people across the state.

“Our youth are facing extraordinary challenges, and it is our responsibility to meet them with compassion, innovation and resources that truly work,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “The 2NDFLOOR® app is a lifeline for so many young people in New Jersey. Hearing directly from these incredible youth today reaffirmed why this work is so critical, and why we must continue to listen to and uplift their voices.”

The app, launched in September 2024, is the latest addition to the services offered by 2NDFLOOR®, which provides 24/7/365 confidential and anonymous support via phone, text, and its website for New Jersey youth ages 10-24. Since its launch, the app has been downloaded more than 4,500 times and is actively used by youth in all 21 New Jersey counties.

During the roundtable, participants shared their personal experiences with the app and reflected on the broader mental health challenges facing their peers today. Students discussed how the app helps students connect with trained counselors and find help, and the importance of peer-to-peer community support.

“I think it’s really important that the app helps with day-to-day struggles that kids face,” explained youth ambassador Olivia Trujillo, age 19, who noted being able to talk to someone anytime, 24/7, is a critical feature for youth seeking help. “It’s not always at 4:00 p.m. when you’re facing a struggle where you can seek mental health. Sometimes it’s at 11:00 p.m. and there’s no resources available except for 9-1-1, and you definitely don’t need 9-1-1 all of the time.”

Kyle Pettus, age 20, a youth ambassador and volunteer, touted the many resources listed on the app. “You have all these different subsections when you open the app that cover different problems, it’s anything you can think of – dating advice, sexuality, LGBTQ+. You just click on one, and there are a bunch of help links you can go to.” He added, “I know from personal experience, and what I have heard, that this is a huge component of the app that people like using.”

“The most powerful part is that it’s anonymous and people can express their feelings anonymously,” remarked 12-year-old youth ambassador Giuli Greco, who also finds the peer-to-peer community chat board helpful. “There are different categories where you can go to and write about what’s on your mind.”

Youth ambassador Love Deep Singh, age 17, relayed that people don’t always realize that anyone, even the star athlete or straight-A student, can need help at times. “There’s been a lot of pressure and stress associated with that. I feel like that is something I haven’t been able to talk about with my guidance counselors, best friends, or anybody.” Then he found the app. “I feel like being able to talk to a community anonymously, and being involved and helping other people out is really important. When these things go overlooked, it only makes these bottled-up emotions that you’re holding even worse.”

Youth input has been an integral part of 2NDFLOOR® since it was launched over 20 years ago. “Every step of the way, the youth that we’re targeting to use the app are able to weigh in and tell us what they’re looking for, rather than us telling them. This is important because we don’t always know what folks are experiencing on the ground,” said Christina Zuk, Board Chair of 180 Turning Lives Around. “We are deeply committed to ensuring 2NDFLOOR® continues to grow in ways that center the needs and perspectives of the youth we serve.”

The youth focus group is already working on new features for the app, including more frequent check-ins, fun games that can boost awareness of mental health issues. One new idea came out of this roundtable from focus group participant and volunteer Steven Behrens, age 22. “One thing I would like to see more of is resources for neurodivergent students and young people. Because I know, as someone with ADHD myself, I often struggle with expressing and putting together my thoughts and emotions. It could help people like me put what they are feeling into words.”

The app has doubled the number of connections made with 2NDFLOOR®, and in April 2025, helped drive a 38% increase in youth engagements over the same month last year.

“We are thrilled by the rapid increase in use of the app and the positive feedback we are getting from young people. It is really making a difference,” said Liz Graham, Chief Executive Officer of 180 Turning Lives Around. “The app has given us a new way to create important connections and provide the private, anonymous support young people need with just the tap of an icon on the phone.”

“We know that prevention services play a critical role in addressing mental health needs proactively. And for us, this is where 2NDFLOOR® is really important,” said Carmen Diaz-Petti, LCSW, Deputy Commissioner of Administration with the Department of Children and Families. “By offering a digital complement to traditional helpline services, the 2NDFLOOR® app enhances the overall mental health support system, ensuring that youth in New Jersey have multiple avenues to seek help and support.”

Graham added, “We are so thankful to the First Lady for hosting this roundtable and are so proud of the young people who have given us their input because they are the ones who know what this app can be and how to be successful.”

2NDFLOOR® has logged more than 34,000 one-on-one chat messages and exchanges to date since the launch of the app, with more than 1,200 message board posts and replies, and nearly 2,000 resources explored by users. Youth who participate can also volunteer anonymously by offering support on the message board, earning points, and leveling up their profile as they help others.

The First Lady’s roundtable is part of a broader effort to elevate youth mental health as a policy priority and to ensure that services are shaped by the lived experiences of those they are meant to support.

For more information or to access support, youth in New Jersey can contact the 2NDFLOOR® helpline at 1-888-222-2228, visit www.2ndfloor.org, or download the app on the App Store or Google Play.

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ABOUT 2NDFLOOR®

2NDFLOOR® is a statewide youth helpline that provides 24/7/365 support to NJ youth ages 10-24 as they face life’s challenges. The 2NDFLOOR® app, launched in 2024, has expanded the helpline with message board chats that instantly connect them with a professional. It is anonymous, confidential, and free, and it only takes a second to get professional support. 2NDFLOOR® meets young people where they are and how they need support. Youth who call the toll-free helpline are assisted with their daily life challenges by trained professionals and volunteers familiar with a myriad of concerns. Staff and volunteers offer comfort, respect, empathy, and guidance to callers.

2NDFLOOR® has served thousands of young people since it was founded in 2008 as a statewide helpline, averaging over 300 texts and 100 phone calls monthly. The app has been downloaded over 3,000 times.

2NDFLOOR® is a program of 180 Turning Lives Around and funded in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.