Tweens And Parents Have A “Stress-less Night” In East Brunswick

Over one hundred tweens and their guardians learned about mental health issues that kids in the 10-13 age group face, as well as strategies to deal with them during a special after-hours program at the East Brunswick Public Library on November 14.

The “Tween Stress-less Night” event was held through a partnership of the Township of East Brunswick, East Brunswick Public Library and the East Brunswick Mental Health Task Force. The event was the second in an ongoing series of mental health programs, following a similar event for teens held earlier in 2025.

Staff from New Jersey Statewide Students Support Service of Rutgers Behavioral Health division were featured guests at the event. They lead separate programs for kids and parents, explaining what stress and anxiety are and how to safely deal with them. They also shared information about resources available to families throughout the night.

Attendees had a hands-on demonstration of Soluna, a new smartphone app funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Soluna is a free, confidential mental health app that gives kids access to interactive tools to help them address mental health issues, as well as resources on how to find support.

There were other activities throughout the night, including arts and crafts projects, gaming, and even a special visit from a group of therapy animals, including sheep and both a miniature horse and cow.