NJ4S Compass Ocean County

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NJ4S Compass Ocean County NJ4S Compass by Preferred Behavioral Health Group 🧭 Tools for mental health & preventive services, for students & families of Ocean County 🌊👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Preferred Behavioral Health Group is a non-profit organization providing NJ4S COMPASS mental health and prevention services to students in Ocean County, NJ.

Teachers see what others might miss. The heavy sigh, the sudden outbursts, the weight of anxiety or grief, that standard...
10/08/2026

Teachers see what others might miss. The heavy sigh, the sudden outbursts, the weight of anxiety or grief, that standard lesson plans simply can’t lift. But you don't have to carry that weight alone. Support for your classroom is available, accessible, and ready to meet your students right where they are.

Our team brings evidence-based, no-cost, Tier 2 mental health groups directly into Ocean County schools, equipping students with the support they need to thrive.

👉 Don't wait to make a difference. Visit the link in our bio to explore our Tier 2 programs and talk to your school SAC or Counselor to fill out an application. Together, we can make sure no student slips through the cracks.

👉 Share this post with an Ocean County Teacher or School Staff so they know they are supported!

***dePrevention

10/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the NJ4S COMPASS Ocean County Men’s Leadership Conference! It was an absolute privilege to share space with each of you and bring this event to life.

We are deeply grateful for your commitment to leadership, empathy, accountability, and connection within our community. 👏✨

A huge congratulations to our Award Recipients:
🏆 Tom Chemris
🏆 Mike Colwell
🏆 Michael Blatt
Thank you all for your dedication and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Your leadership and service are truly appreciated!

A special thank you to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office
and the Plumsted SD for joining us! Your active involvement and ongoing commitment to our youth and community made the event even more impactful. 🤝

When someone is being targeted, whether through bullying, harassment, online abuse, or physical violence, bystanders are...
10/01/2026

When someone is being targeted, whether through bullying, harassment, online abuse, or physical violence, bystanders are present 80% of the time.

That means in almost every critical moment, someone has the power to step in. Yet, so often, people hesitate. We freeze out of fear of social fallout, worry about safety, or assume someone else will speak up. We watch, we look away, or worst of all, we fall into roles like reinforcers or assistants, encouraging the behavior or sharing it online.

Here is why your voice matters:

🧭It stops harm fast: Research shows that when a bystander intervenes, the bullying stops within 10 seconds 57% of the time.
🧭It protects mental health: Defending and supporting peers significantly lowers their risk of anxiety, depression, and severe psychological distress.
🧭It sets the culture: When peers refuse to accept harmful, predatory, or abusive behavior, it changes what is tolerated in our schools and communities.

Being a defender doesn't always mean directly confronting a tense situation. You can change the subject, walk away with the target, report the incident to a trusted authority, or reach out privately afterward to offer support.

If you see something, say something. Protect each other. Be the reason someone feels safe today. 💙

NJ4S Compass offers targeted Tier 2 programs focused on violence prevention, healthy peer relationships, and conflict resolution skills. We want students to have a solid foundation of support as they grow, so they can feel resilient, empowered, and supported enough to be brave when it counts most.

Reach out to learn more about bringing our Tier 2 programs to your school or community!

Moments like this mean the world to us! 🖼️At the Manchester Elementary School Back to School Night, PC Austin Hicks rece...
09/22/2026

Moments like this mean the world to us! 🖼️

At the Manchester Elementary School Back to School Night, PC Austin Hicks received this incredible custom portrait from one of our amazing students. We are constantly blown away by the young talent in our community!

Manchester Township, NJ School District

09/16/2026

Celebrating our dedicated team at the Preferred Behavioral Health Group Staff Appreciation Picnic! 🧺✨

We are so grateful for our incredible staff, whose passion, heart, and commitment power the vital work we do across our communities every single day. Strong mental health support starts with a strong, supportive team!

A special shoutout goes to our recognized NJ4S Compass staff members celebrating major milestones of service with PBHG:

🧭Jesse & Maria (Prevention Consultants) – 5 Years 👏
🧭Megan (Tier 3 Clinician) – 15 Years 🎉
🧭Anjelica (Tier 3 Clinical Director) – 20 Years 🏆
🧭Dave (NJ4S Compass Director) – 20 Years 🏆

We also gave a warm welcome to Haley, our new Transfer Clinician, who officially joined the team today & celebrated 5 years with PBHG!

Longevity in this field reflects true dedication, resilience, and compassion. Thank you to everyone who attended, and thank you to our entire team for making a difference in the lives of youth and families every day! 💚

Friendly reminder as we settle into the school year: the stuff that actually gets you through the week, doesn't fit in a...
09/15/2026

Friendly reminder as we settle into the school year: the stuff that actually gets you through the week, doesn't fit in a backpack. 🎒✨

It’s easy to get caught up in grades, schedules, and endless to-do lists, but standard school supplies only cover the basics. Real resilience comes from the intangibles.
🧭reaching out before you feel completely overwhelmed
🧭surrounding yourself with people who love the unfiltered version of you
🧭treating every stumble as a normal step in learning how to grow.

You don't need to have every single detail figured out today. Breathe, give yourself some grace, and take it one day at a time. 💙

👇 Drop a comment below: What’s been your biggest source of support or comfort as the school year gets moving?

And remember, our team is here to help Ocean County students thrive this school year!

09/10/2026

It takes undeniable strength to carry everything on your shoulders, but the bravest thing you can do is raise your hand and ask for help. 💛

On World Su***de Prevention Day, we want to remind our community that reaching out isn't a sign of weakness, it’s the first step toward healing. You do not have to navigate tough times, heavy thoughts, or overwhelming feelings alone.

To make finding support as seamless as possible, we’ve updated the Link in Bio with direct access to free mental health hotlines, local services, and crisis resources tailored for youth, adults, and families in Ocean County. 📲

Here is what you’ll find when you click our link:

• 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
• 2ndfloor Youth Helpline
• Crisis Text Line
• The Trevor Project
• RAINN
• Ocean's Harbor House
• To Write Love On Her Arms.

Please take a moment to look through these resources today. Save them, screenshot them, or share this post with someone who might need a reminder that support is always within reach. Your story matters. 👥✨

***dePreventionDay

09/01/2026

September 1st marks the beginning of Su***de Prevention Awareness Month.

Nearly half of 10- to 17-year-olds who died by su***de had no prior clinical contact or known risk on record.

There is no easy, obvious way to spot when a student is struggling. Waiting for visible warning signs or a crisis to emerge simply isn't enough. Silence isn't safety.

Real prevention means creating safe, low-barrier spaces where young people feel comfortable having hard conversations before a crisis hits.

That’s why NJ4S Compass brings support directly to Ocean County students. We offer multiple tiers of programming, including 1-on-1 counseling with a
clinician, right in their school, completely free of charge.

Removing the barriers to mental health care helps students get the support they need today, building a foundation of wellness they can carry into adulthood.

This month and every month let's make sure no student has to struggle in silence. 💙

🔗 Tap the link in our bio to learn more about bringing NJ4S Compass resources and counseling services to your school community.

***dePreventionMonth ***dePrevention

Heading into a new school year can feel like a lot, especially if you're holding onto grief while trying to turn the pag...
08/30/2026

Heading into a new school year can feel like a lot, especially if you're holding onto grief while trying to turn the page to a new grade. On National Grief Awareness Day, we want every Ocean County student to know one important thing: you don’t have to carry it alone. 💙🧭

NJ4S Compass is here to support you every step of the way:
🧭Free 1-on-1 Counseling: Work with a licensed clinician right at school for easy, direct care.
🧭Tier 2 Small Group Support: Evidence-based sessions designed for students navigating grief together in a safe space.

Know a student, family, or classmate who could use an extra layer of support as school starts? Share this post or tag them below. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and our team is ready to walk alongside you. 👥✨

Visit the link in our bio for more info or reach out to your school counselor to connect with our team today!

School year prep is in full swing, and our clinical toolbox just got a major upgrade! 🎨✨ Our NJ4S Compass Ocean County t...
08/27/2026

School year prep is in full swing, and our clinical toolbox just got a major upgrade! 🎨✨

Our NJ4S Compass Ocean County team recently spent time with Lauren Casas, Director of PCCF at Preferred Behavioral Health Group for an inspiring training on using mandalas in clinical practice. As we gear up to support students across Ocean County this fall, opportunities to collaborate, share expertise, and bring creative therapeutic techniques into our work with teens remind us why we do what we do.

Huge thank you to Lauren for expanding our skill set and reminding us of the power of art and creativity in mental health. We can’t wait to bring these fresh, expressive tools to our teens this school year! 🌀💬💡

Address

PO Box 2036
Lakewood, NJ
08701

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