December 1–4, 2025 | Hyatt Regency Orlando | Orlando, FL
We’re thrilled to announce that Josh Novick, trauma counselor and volunteer with Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, will be a featured speaker at the 2025 Advancing School Mental Health Conference—one of the nation’s premier gatherings dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being in schools.
About the Conference
Hosted annually by the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) since 1995, the Advancing School Mental Health Conference brings together educators, counselors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, physicians, policymakers, family members, and advocates from across the country. This collaborative event emphasizes a shared family–school–community agenda to promote well-being, prevent mental health challenges, and build systems of support for youth and educators alike.
Over the past three decades, the conference has convened in states from Maryland to Minnesota, helping thousands of professionals share best practices, advance policy, and improve mental health outcomes for students and school communities.
For questions, contact the NCSMH team at 410-706-0980 or [email protected].
Josh’s Featured Sessions – December 3, 2025
When the Unthinkable Becomes Routine: The Impact of Gun Violence on School Communities
🕓 4:30 PM–5:30 PM ET
Led by a Sandy Hook survivor and national advocate, alongside Josh Novick, this session explores how the ongoing threat and reality of gun violence shape the mental health of students and educators. Through personal stories, research, and practical tools, participants will gain insight into the hidden toll of gun violence in schools and walk away with strategies for healing, resilience, and collective change.
Community Response After a Mass Violence Incident: Creating and Coordinating a Response Plan for Your School, Organization, or Community
🕒 3:20 PM–4:20 PM ET
In this evidence-based session, Josh Novick draws on frontline experience as a trauma counselor to guide participants through school and community responses to mass violence. The discussion covers immediate crisis protocols, long-term resiliency planning, and trauma-informed systems, with attention to cultural context and caregiver well-being. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable tools to support recovery and rebuild connection in the wake of tragedy.
Why This Matters
As schools across the country face unprecedented levels of stress and exposure to violence, Josh’s work highlights the critical importance of healing-centered approaches to education and community care. His sessions at the Advancing School Mental Health Conference will offer both practical guidance and profound hope for educators, counselors, and community leaders striving to create safer, more compassionate learning environments.
Event Location:
Hyatt Regency Orlando
9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
