Misericordia University Social Work Students Support Regional Mental Health Symposium

Misericordia University Social Work Students Support Regional Mental Health Symposium

DALLAS, PA - The Social Work Department at Misericordia University participated in the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18’s Mental Health Symposium held at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Conference Center. The event brought together approximately 150 high school students from Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties to share their experiences and ideas surrounding mental health supports in their schools.

The symposium, titled Activating Agency & Well-Being: Elevating Student Voice Across Pennsylvania, encouraged students to take an active role in shaping the mental health initiatives that impact their daily lives. The goal was to engage youth in meaningful discussions about belonging, access to mental health services, and the effectiveness of support systems within their districts.

Misericordia social work students Maria Villano, Joseph Diliorio, Brie Revyold, Delaney Rinehart, and Kassandra Figueroa, along with faculty member Amanda Benbow, volunteered as notetakers throughout the sessions. Their role was to capture student perspectives and feedback, which will be compiled and used to guide statewide conversations and policy development around student mental health.

The symposium also featured keynote speaker Tre Tipton, Pitt Panther and Disney Spirit Award recipient, who presented on resilience and the importance of mental well-being. The event was organized by the Luzerne Intermediate Unit in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and local school districts across the region.

To learn more about the social work department, click here.