The Relentless School Nurse: The Pursuit of Student Mental Health – A Podcast Conversation

I am excited to share my recent interview on  Hot Topics in Mental Health, a podcast from the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ). This series provides timely behavioral health insights and vital information for our school communities. MHANJ is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training, and services.

Recording this episode with host Merrill Altberg felt less like an interview and more like a conversation with a colleague who truly understands the urgency of supporting student wellness. After more than two decades as a school nurse, I’ve learned that every student carries a story—some filled with resilience, others marked by trauma, anxiety, or stress that no young person should have to shoulder alone. Those stories were very much with me during this conversation.

“Mental health is not an ‘extra’ in education—it is central to everything else.” 

In our discussion, I shared the realities of student mental health in today’s schools—what young people are up against, how those struggles show up in classrooms and health offices, and why collaboration between families, educators, and health professionals is so essential. We also talked about practical strategies that can help build school environments where students feel safe, supported, and able to thrive.

What I hope comes through most clearly is that mental health is not an “extra” in education—it is central to everything else. My wish is that every listener hears something actionable: perhaps a parent feels more equipped to support a child, a teacher finds a new way to create a safe classroom space, or a fellow advocate is inspired to push for broader change.

Tune in to this special episode for honest perspectives, real-world strategies, and a shared commitment to nurturing safe, empowered, and thriving students. School mental health is everyone’s responsibility—and every step toward hope matters.

Listen through the following links: 

• Spotify: The Pursuit of Student Mental Health – A Conversation with Robin Cogan, The Relentless School Nurse

• Buzzsprout: The Pursuit of Student Mental Health – A Conversation with Robin Cogan, The Relentless School Nurse

Call to Action: Please consider sharing this episode with your professional networks, including parents, educators, policymakers, and fellow health professionals. Use it as a springboard for conversation in your schools and communities. The more we talk about student mental health, the closer we come to building the safe, supportive environments our children deserve.