Press Releases

February 20, 2024 The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) is grateful to Illias Duval for sharing his story to demonstrate the tremendous value of mental health care as part of NJAMHAA's campaign, Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment. N...

February 13, 2024 "Not only did our Pathways School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) help Lauren, but because of her connections with this program, Lauren saved her friend." - Lauren Balkan, Deputy Director, Wellspring Center for Prevention, speaking of Lauren, a former SBYSP part...

January 31, 2024 "While advances in vaccines and treatment have reduced the death toll from COVID and people have gone back to offices, family gatherings and public events, one thing has not changed - the pandemic's impact on the mental health of New Jersey's youth and adults. As indi...

January 31, 2024 Shauna Moses, NJAMHAA's Vice President, Public Affairs and Member Services, shares her stories as a survivor of suicide with the goal of encouraging others to open up about their struggles, seek help and choose life. "There are so many success stories out there. How...

January 16, 2024 Everyone in New Jersey's Diverse Community Is Worthy of Full Investment in the Behavioral Healthcare System According to a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration November 2023 report, 48.7 million Americans (17.3%) aged 12 or older had a substan...

December 27, 2023 While the holiday season is a joyful time for many people, this is unfortunately not the case for other individuals, especially those who have friends and relatives in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza and, therefore, are worried about their safety or have lost loved ones dur...

June 28, 2023 The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies' (NJAMHAA's) advocacy resulted in significant funding for the behavioral healthcare workforce and increases for some of the services these essential workers provide in Governor Phil Murphy's proposed budg...

May 1, 2023 NJAMHAA Advocates for Support of All New Jerseyans' Wellness by Strengthening the Behavioral Healthcare System The theme for Mental Health Month 2023 (May) is Take Some Time to Look Around, Look Within to encourage individuals to realize how their surroundings impact t...

March 28, 2023 Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO Barely three months into 2023, the 89th school shooting of the year occurred in Nashville yesterday. Actions must be taken immediately and on an ongoing basis - through strong legislation and expansion of the beh...

March 1, 2023 COVID-19, associated isolation and other related difficulties are commonly considered to be the most significant factors contributing to the increasing rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teenagers. While this is a fact, it is also true...

February 28, 2023 Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) is elated with Governor Phil Murphy's proposed significant investments in the behavioral healthcare workforce. It is clear that Gov....

January 19, 2023 Greater Investment in the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce Is Needed for the Wellbeing of New Jersey's Diverse Population A March 2022 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that the nationwide number of behavioral health soci...