Mental health care is out of reach for too many. Here’s how N.J. can change that
New Jersey families find mental health care challenging, expensive, and time-consuming. One in five Americans has a mental illness, but many New Jerseyans don’t know where to get help. Even with increased demand, community services are hard to get.
Daily, state mental health advocates see fatigued people who don’t know how to receive assistance. Long wait times, uninsured prices, doctor shortages, and emergency department difficulties alarm families. These concerns show New Jersey needs a faster, more reliable help system.
The 988 Crisis Continuum of Care in New Jersey addresses mental health, drug, and alcohol concerns, including suicide. When needed, community-based care should replace police and ERs.
Three main 988 Continuum services protect. You can text, call, or chat with a certified crisis counselor at 988 24/7. Experts listen, calm, and advise. A mobile crisis team visits clients instead of hospitalizing them. Third, crisis stabilization and diversion houses provide 24/7 expert therapy and supervision for weeks to months in a peaceful, supportive setting.
This decreases ER stress and saves lives with fast, compassionate care. Standard mental health emergency protocols reduce trauma.
Federal help is inconsistent, which could hurt NJ. 988 programs need ongoing support, including Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Centers. Due to funding constraints, many facilities opened late, limiting services.
Politicians want 988 Crisis Continuum to pay 40 cents monthly for mobile. This would allow the state’s five Stabilization Centers to handle crises and provide long-term relief. This small cost could hire professionals and provide crisis services to thousands of New Jerseyans, say supporters.
Trust mental health to others. The New Jersey community-first model has improved, but still needs cash to aid people. 988 changes will alleviate family stress, hospitalizations, and mental health crises.
New Jersey can make its mental health system safer and more responsive by meeting individuals where they are and assisting them when they need it as worldwide awareness develops. Success requires long-term funding and devotion.
Sources:
Mental Health Association in New Jersey
988 Crisis Continuum of Care Information
