Interview with David Mills, Supervising Prevention Consultant for the NJ Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S)

BIO: David Mills is the Supervising Prevention Consultant for the NJ Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) network which consists of 15 regional hubs that provide prevention and intervention services to New Jersey public school students, parents/caretakers, and school faculty. He is also the Program Director at Youth Consultation Service (YCS) which supports at-risk and special needs children, youth and young adults in New Jersey.

Can you describe your primary responsibilities at NJ4S? As a Supervising Prevention Consultant?

I oversee our team of prevention educators who provide educational mental-health related talks and programming in local middle and high schools and throughout the community. I’m also responsible for coordinating and planning these programs in collaboration with the schools we serve, ensuring that our efforts are tailored, impactful, and accessible.

What inspired you to pursue this path in prevention and youth wellness?Although I originally considered becoming a history teacher, I soon discovered that my true calling was serving as a mental health and wellness advocate, educator, and counselor for youth.

Growing up, several role models made a big difference in my life, and I knew I wanted to be there in the same way to provide support for a young person who is struggling. 

How do you define wellness, and how do you and NJ4S work to promote it within your community?

To me, wellness means feeling genuinely supported by your community. The isolation many experienced during COVID highlighted just how crucial connection is to our overall wellbeing. At NJ4S, we work to foster those connections—bringing students, families, and school staff together around conversations about mental health. Through education and outreach, we aim to normalize the topic of mental health and emphasize the importance of prioritizing emotional wellbeing for everyone we serve.

Are there specific programs or initiatives you've implemented that you're particularly proud of or that have made a significant impact?

One program I’m especially proud of is our implementation of Teen Mental Health First Aid in several Morris County schools. We've trained hundreds of students to recognize the signs that a peer may be struggling with their mental health and how to take the appropriate steps to connect them with trusted adults. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see students feel empowered to support one another and the enthusiasm with which they have embraced the program.

What have you learned from working with youth about what they need to feel supported and thrive?

As I alluded to earlier, I’ve learned just how vital connection is. When young people feel isolated and alone, they’re far more vulnerable to mental health challenges. But when they feel seen, heard, and connected to their peers and community, they are able to flourish. Building and maintaining those connections is key.

How has your understanding or approach to mental health changed over the course of your career?

Like many, I used to think that mental health support began with clinical intervention. Over time, I’ve come to understand that it actually begins at the community level. When a community normalizes and actively prioritizes mental health, individuals are more likely to seek support early—long before reaching a crisis point. Community care helps lay the groundwork for individual resilience.

If you could share one piece of advice with students who want to build stronger, more mindful communities, what would it be?

If you know of or see a member of your community who seems isolated or withdrawn, reach out to them—not to fix them, but simply to let them know they’re seen and valued. That small act of kindness and show of support can create a ripple effect and help someone feel more connected and cared for.

During your time at NJ4S, are there any particular stories—of success or challenge—that stand out to you?

One challenge that weighs on me is that we are still unsuccessful in reaching our goal of 100% utilization of our free mental health education services. While the majority of middle and high schools in our region do, there are a few we’ve still been unable to sign up. We have made great strides in just two years and have much to celebrate. But knowing how essential these programs are for school communities means I can’t rest knowing that children are being denied this vital support simply because their school opted out. The reasons are never insurmountable so it feels like such a sorely missed opportunity to help some young people who may be struggling.

Is there anything else on the topic that’s important to you and you’d like to share? 

That’s everything! I just want to say how grateful I am to be doing this work. It’s deeply meaningful, and I truly believe in the power of prevention and community-based care.