September is Suicide Prevention Month – a time to raise awareness of this urgently important crisis. 

We sat down with Dr. Joye Anestis, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor in the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, to discuss her suicide prevention research and work. Dr. Anestis also leads the school’s Population Mental Health concentration.

We're excited to continue our Q&A series highlighting the 2024–2025 Wellness PHirst Ambassadors!

Each ambassador is making a meaningful impact by promoting wellness and supporting their peers. In our last feature, we introduced Neha and her personal experiences in public health and beyond, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health and stigma.

In our next spotlight, we sat down with Maya Governa, a Master of Public Health (MPH) student with a concentration in Epidemiology, to discuss her public health journey and the significance of promoting and leading with wellness PHirst.

Rutgers School of Public Health’s Office for Student Experiences and Alumni Affairs (OSEAA) is thrilled to introduce the inaugural cohort of Wellness PHirst Ambassadors. This initiative reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a culture of health and well-being.

In our first spotlight, we sat down with FNU Neha, a second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student with a concentration in Population Mental Health, to discuss her public health journey and the significance of promoting and leading with wellness PHirst.

Melanie Shefchik, a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate at Rutgers School of Public Health, shares her journey and dedication to maternal and child health (MCH) and highlights the vital role breastfeeding plays in promoting health and well-being.