NJAMHAA in the News

News Stories from 2022-2024

NJ.com/Star-Ledger, “Thousands of disabled kids and adults denied ‘life-altering’ help in N.J. budget, advocates say,” Debra Wentz quoted, April 21, 2024

NJ Spotlight News, “Advocates, health professionals plead for more money for youth mental health,” Debra Wentz interviewed, April 17, 2024

Northjersey.com, “Sheriff’s death puts spotlight on the most stressful jobs. Here are warning signs to watch”, Debra Wentz interviewed, February 5, 2024

Northjersey.com, “Every NJ resident struggling with mental health deserves recovery, success. Here's how,” Op-ed by Shauna Moses, February 2, 2024

NJ Morning Show, Dr. Tara Chalakani, NJAMHAA Board Member, Talks about Mental Health Issues, January 30, 2024

NJ.com, “New Jersey must invest to meet the state’s increased behavioral health care needs”, Op ed piece by Debra Wentz, January 22, 2024

New Jersey Business Today, “Reducing the Stigma of Men’s Mental Health”, Dr. Frank Ghinassi interviewed, January 11, 2024

ROI.NJ.com, “Mental health in mind: Expert says holiday season can be challenging time for those grappling with stress, blues and other issues,” Shauna Moses interviewed, January 8, 2024

Northjersey.com, “Do mental health apps work? NJ therapists review BetterHelp, Calm and other options”, Debra Wentz interviewed, January 2, 2024

NJB Magazine. “Holiday Blues Underscore the Importance of Self-Care,” December 8, 2023

Northjersey.com, “NJ employees are stressed. How to keep the Israel-Hamas War from tearing a workplace apart”, Debra Wentz interviewed, November 14, 2023

The Trentonian, “Compassion Is Needed to Combat Addiction,” Op-ed by Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA, and Robert J. Budsock, MS, LCADC, President and CEO of Integrity House and a NJAMHAA Board member, October 5, 2023

Asbury Park Press, “Overcoming stigma can literally save lives in New Jersey. Here's how”, Op-ed by Shauna Moses, NJAMHAA's Vice President, Public Affairs and Member Services, September 22, 2023

InsiderNJ.com, “Mental Health Month Focuses on Looking Around and Within to Improve Mental Health,” NJAMHAA’s press release published in its entirety, May 1, 2023

WHYY, “Could adult disability and mental health programs receive more funding in New Jersey’s budget this year? - Lawmakers are considering establishing a yearly cost-of-living rate adjustment for adult disability and mental health services.,” Debra Wentz and member Matt Binder interviewed, April 25, 2023

NJ Spotlight News, “Speed saves: Acting fast is key to preventing teen suicides,” Mary Abrams and members interviewed, March 7, 2023

InsiderNJ.com; “NJAMHAA Applauds Increased Funding for the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce in Governor Murphy’s Proposed FY2024 Budget,” Statement from Debra Wentz, February 28, 2023

Star-Ledger, “Behavioral health partners help all New Jerseyeans lead better lives,” Op-ed by Debra Wentz, February 27, 2023

Press of Atlantic City, “Fund behavioral care to strengthen individuals and state,” Op-ed by Debra Wentz, February 22, 2023

Burlington County Times, “Why New Jersey needs more mental health professionals - now,” Op-ed by Debra Wetnz, February 14, 2023

Northjersey.com, “Why New Jersey needs more mental health professionals — now,” Op-ed by Debra Wentz, February 14, 2023

New Jersey Business Magazine, “Greater Investment in the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce Is Needed: NJAMHAA Launches ‘Diverse Faces: Partners in Care’ Campaign, January 19, 2023

NJ Spotlight News, “NJ is short on psychiatrists. Lawmakers take steps to get more,” Mary Abrams and Frank Ghinassi interviewed, December 14, 2022

NJ101.5, “Signs of the Holiday Blues and how to Cope with Them,” Debra Wentz interviewed, November 17, 2022

NJ101.5, “Feel Sad? Seasonal Affective Disorder Bac in NJ as Clocks Change,” Debra Wentz interviewed about seasonal affective disorder, November 2, 2022 

ROI-NJ, “‘Anxious time in the world’: Need for mental health services for youth remains dire,” Debra Wentz and several members interviewed, August 10, 2022 

Northjersey.com, “New Jersey’s new budget can increase quality of life for diverse communities,” Op-ed by Debra Wentz, July 14, 2022

WBGO, “National Suicide Hotline Begins Operation July 16 --- 988,” Mary Abrams, NJAMHAA's Senior Health Policy Analyst, interviewed, July 12, 2022 

Star-Ledger, “Three-digit answer to time of distress: 988,” Mary Abrams interviewed, July 12, 2022

NJ Spotlight News, “Op-Ed: NJ’s opioid settlement money is a chance to make serious changes” by Board Member Robert J. Budsock, July 8, 2022 

Bergen Record/northjersey.com, “NJ residents in mental health crisis can get help by dialing 988 starting July 16,” Mary Abrams interviewed, June 30, 2022

NJ Spotlight News, “There’s a new number to call for crisis and suicide prevention,” Several members were interviewed, June 16, 2022 

Debra Wentz, Ph.D., President and CEO of  NJAMHAA, sharedr thoughts on how the gun violence epidemic and other crisis are weighing on people’s mental health and offers some ways to seek help and utilize resources on PHL17's In Focus program, June 11, 2022

NJ Spotlight News, “The mental health challenge: Real questions, expert answers,” Highlights of a panel discussion on which Debra Wentz and members Dr. Frank Ghinassi and Dr. Margaret Swarbrick participated, June 8, 2022 

"We need to prioritize mental health care," Op-ed piece by Debra L. Wentz, PhD, Star-Ledger, May 20, 2022

InsiderNJ.com, “Several NJAMHAA Priorities Addressed in Governor Murphy’s Budget Address,” Press release printed in its entirety, March 8, 2022

InsiderNJ.com, “NJAMHAA: Behavioral Health Services Empower Diverse Individuals to Achieve Many Successes,” Press release printed in its entirety, Feb. 16, 2022

NJ Spotlight News, “Suicide hotline will route expert help to caller’s home — without involving police,” Feb. 7, 2022

E.W. Scripps Television Stations, “Ongoing COVID pandemic could be making 'winter blues' more intense,” Debra Wentz interviewed, Jan. 6, 2022

Mental Health Weekly, “New Jersey provider association dedicates new website to increasing equity,” Based on NJAMHAA press release/Debra L. Wentz quoted, January 3, 202

Mental Health Weekly, “Readers bracing for 2022 amid pandemic, workforce challenges,” Debra Wentz interviewed, January 3, 2022

News Stories from 2021

South Jersey Observer.com, “Jewish Family Service Staff Member Moses Gbadebo,” includes mention of Moses receiving a NJAMHAA award, December 7, 2021

NJ Spotlight News, “NJ colleges urged to help students struggling with mental health issues,” Shauna Moses, NJAMHAA’s Vice President, Public Affairs and Member Services, interviewed, Nov. 30, 2021

Star-Ledger, “New Jerseyans with mental health and substance-use needs may lose critical help unless Congress acts,” Op-ed by Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA, Nov. 17, 2021

NJ101.5, “As Clocks Turn Back, Seasonal Affective Disorder Returns to NJ,” Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA, interviewed, November 8, 2021

NJBIA.org [New Jersey Business and Industry Association], “NJBIA Receives NJAMHAA’s ‘Making the Business Case’ Award,” October 13 2021

NJ Spotlight News, “Mental health community program works, study says,” Oct. 13, 2021

ROI-NJ, “Report: N.J. becoming leader in behavioral health due to CCBHC model,” Oct. 11, 2021 

PHL17 In Focus, “World Mental Health Day: Identifying Signs of Depression and Anxiety,” October 4, 2021

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Learning Network, “Access to Behavioral Healthcare Services Needed in Times of Crisis, Says NJAMHAA,” Full press release published, Aug. 18, 2021

ROI-NJ: "Supply and demand: In mental healt sector, pandemic is straining profession already streched thin by low wages, other factors"; Debra Wentz, Donald Parker and Michelle Borden Interviewed (August 10, 2021)

Courier Post, Letters to the Editor, "More Funds Needed for Mental Health Care", July 5, 2021

NJ.com, Op-Ed: "After COVID, Mental Health and Substance Use Issues Have Grown. We Need More Money to Handle It," June 21, 2021

Insidernj.com, “Self-Care Is Critical for Workers’ Wellbeing, Especially in Health Care,” full press release published, May 27, 2021

Insidernj.com, “Kindness and Support Create Inclusivity for People with Autism,” full press release published, April 7, 2021

Insidernj.com, “Gambling Associated with March Madness Could Be Different during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” full press release published, March 4, 2021

Insidernj.com, “Connect People with Developmental Disabilities to their Communities,” full press release published, March 1, 2021

ROI-NJ, “Murphy’s budget lauded by leading health care associations,” Feb. 24, 2021

ROI-NJ, Op-Ed: “Fiscal 2022 budget must build bridge to better future for Jerseyans,” February 18, 2021

Insidernj.com, Op-Ed: “FY2022 Budget Must Build a Bridge to a Better Future for New Jerseyans,” February 18, 2021

KYW 1060 AM/103.9 FM, “New Jersey Site Offers Mental Health Help with Digital Therapy," February 5, 2021 

NJ 101.5, “Before COVID, Therapy Access Was Already a Problem in New Jersey,” January 19, 2021

News Stories from 2020

• InsiderNJ.com, “Focus on Self Care to Enhance Mental Health during Winter,” Dec. 11, 2020
• NJ101.5, “What Happens When Seasonal Affective Disorder Meets COVID-19 Fatigue,” Nov. 2, 2020
• Patch (Ridgewood-Glen Rock, NJ), “Ricky Byrd’s ‘Sobering Times’ an Emotional Rock-and-Roll Triumph,” Oct. 14, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “NJAMHAA: Electronic Health Record Interoperability Program Benefits Substance Use Treatment Providers and Individuals they Serve”, Oct. 19, 2020
• KYW Newsradio, “Health experts: NJ teen, young adult suicide rate continues to climb,” October 9, 2020
• WBGO, “Mental Health Agencies in NJ Battle Effects of Covid,” Oct. 7, 2020
• CentralJersey.com, “Mental Illness Awareness Week has special focus on those coping with effects of COVID-19,” Op-ed, Oct. 2, 2020
• NJ.com, “Good job with state budget priorities ,” Letter to the editor, Sept. 29, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “Final FY2021 Budget Sustains Most Behavioral Health Funding, Adds Investments: Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO, New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc.,” Sept. 29, 2020
• njherald.com, “NJ families, advocates urge Murphy to reopen job programs for people with disabilities,” Sept. 22, 2020
• NJ Spotlight, “This is how Murphy’s budget allocates $2.4 billion in federal COVID funding,” Sept. 21, 2020
• NJ Spotlight, “Overdose deaths in NJ may hit record high,” Sept. 15, 2020
• Around Ocean County radio show on WJRZ, Sept. 13, 2020
• Politico, “Proposed cuts to New Jersey school-based mental health services ‘unconscionable,’ educators say, Members interviewed, Sept. 9, 2020
• The Guardian, “Many Americans face bleak winter as Covid takes toll on mental health,” Sept. 6, 2020
• Baristanet.com, “Students to Rally in Response to School Based Youth Services Program Cut from Murphy Budget,” Sept. 3, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “Governor Murphy’s Proposed FY 2021 Budget to Cut Funding for The Bridge, Inc.’s Imani Center,” Sept. 11, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies: Cybersecurity Investments Needed to Protect Healthcare Industry, Patients,” Sept. 8, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “NJAMHAA Works to the Last Minute Advocating for Sustained and Increased Funding for Behavioral Health Services,” August 25, 2020
• ROI-NJ, “N.J. Assn. of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies pushing for more funding in budget,” August 24, 2020
• NJ.com/Star-Ledger, “Pandemic justifies more for mental health, addiction,” Letter to editor, August 23, 2020
• Press of Atlantic City, “Fund mental health care in NJ to counter pandemic stress,” Op-ed, Aug. 23, 2020
• NJTV News, “Emotional struggles likely to be part of any learning plan for kids,” August 18, 2020
• NJ101.5, “COVID-19 Raising Concern about NJ Kids Contemplating Suicide,” August 18, 2020
• Northjersey.com, “NJ group home residents with disabilities have been isolated too long, advocates say,” August 17, 2020
• PHL17, “Preparing for School and Addressing the Mental Health Impact of COVID19,”  August 17, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “Experts Help Prepare for New School Year, Address Youths’ Mental Health Challenges,” August 15, 2020
• ROI-NJ.com, “Mental health providers prepare to deal with wave of COVID-related ills – even as their businesses’ bottom lines crumble,” August 10, 2020
•  Star-Ledger, “New Jerseyans need more mental health services in this time of COVID-19,” Op-ed, August 10, 2020
• Philadelphia Inquirer, “New Jersey’s 2021 budget should expand mental health treatment,” Op-ed, August 6, 2020
• NJ 101.5, “Opioid Deaths Rose More Slowly in New Jersey in June,” Coverage of a panel discussion on July 27, 2020; radio report was on August 2, 2020
• Magic 98.3, “Community Outreach, COVID-19 and Mental Health,” July 21, 2020
• Asbury Park Press, “Congress, don't make it harder to afford our medicine,” Op-ed, July 20, 2020
• Stigma-Free Zone, “Congratulations to NJAMHAA!”, July 7, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “National Council for Behavioral Health Recognizes NJAMHAA for Advocacy Excellence,” June 19, 2020
• NJ.com, “Fatal shooting of unarmed man by cop during traffic stop raises questions about mental health training, communication,”June 15, 2020
• Star-Ledger, “Mental health issues must not take a back seat in the COVID-19 recovery,” Op-ed, June 10, 2020
• CentralJersey.com, “How to prioritize mental health during pandemic,” Op-ed, May 27, 2020
• NorthJersey.com, “New Jersey says doctors must prescribe Narcan alongside opioids for at-risk patients,” May 22, 2020
• Spreaker.com - Mental Health News Radio , “Technology and Compliance Leadership in Mental Health,” May 8, 2020
• NJAMHAA mentioned in Ancero Blog Post, May 6, 2020
• Asbury Park Press, “Coronavirus: Preparing for the mental health surge to come,” Op-ed, posted online May 3, 2020 and published in print May 8, 2020
• InsiderNJ.com, “Mental Healthcare and Substance Use Treatment Providers Need Support during and beyond Pandemic to Continue Serving Vulnerable New Jerseyans,” May 1, 2020
• NJBIZ, “Bergen New Bridge Medical Center launches suppression system to help mitigate COVID-19,” April 21, 2020
• WABC-TV Eyewitness News, “Coronavirus News: Homeless, addicted and battling COVID-19 – Eva’s Village in New Jersey,” April 15, 2020
• Star-Ledger, “Helping those with mental health, addiction issues will help slow the virus,” Op-ed, March 27, 2020
• NJTV News, “Bill would bolster mental health services for college students,” March 5, 2020
• NJBIZ, “Improving awareness: Businesses are offering more robust employee assistance programs, but some workers remain reluctant to use the services,” Jan. 20, 2020
• ROI-NJ, “RWJBarnabas Health names SVP of behavioral health, addiction service line,” Jan. 6, 2020