Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a U.S. Congresswoman representing New Jersey’s 12th district since 2015, addressed concerns regarding youth mental health and social media use in a series of posts on September 14, 2025.
In her first post, Rep. Watson Coleman stated, “Wednesday’s op-ed brought up important issues that merit our attention, but also require more resources to be effective. Excessive or unmonitored social media use is harming our children. That means the owners of social media companies need to be held accountable as families and” (September 14, 2025).
She highlighted her leadership role in addressing Black youth suicide and mental health: “In 2019, I chaired the Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health. The task force included 17 members of Congress, as well as a working group of 22 experts in psychiatry, psychology, education, and suicide prevention.” (September 14, 2025).
Addressing nutritional needs for students’ mental health support, she wrote: “Every mental health professional recognizes the importance of good nutrition for supporting mood and concentration. Following through on that goal means ensuring that funding for school breakfast and lunch programs remains in place so all students can have access to enough” (September 14, 2025).
Watson Coleman has represented New Jersey’s 12th congressional district since replacing Rush Holt Jr. in 2015; prior to this role she served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2006 to 2010. She was born in Camden in 1945 and currently resides in Ewing Township. She earned her BA from Thomas Edison State University in 1985.
