Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA

When news about the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) devastating grant terminations was received yesterday morning, the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA) jumped into action to fight for restoration. These cuts would have decimated many critical, life-saving programs and would have been catastrophic for the vulnerable individuals who have been receiving the mental health and substance use treatment and supports the programs offer. We were greatly relieved to learn last night about the reversal of all the cancellations and full restoration of the funding.

NJAMHAA constantly advocates for continued and increased funding to help ensure access to the invaluable services our members provide, but we were especially proactive in this situation. These possible SAMHSA funding cuts were the most recent and one of the most egregious examples of issues that we are fighting against with all our might and all our resources, which we are grateful include our members and other behavioral healthcare stakeholder associations.

Not surprisingly, the field answered the call for advocacy and, thanks to everyone’s efforts, we overcame what would have been very harmful cuts. This is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of our collaborative advocacy and demonstrates NJAMHAA’s ability to surmount any and all challenges that face our members and those they serve.

We are grateful for our partnerships with our members, state leaders, including Attorney General Matthew Platkin, and our national partners — the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors, Legal Action Center, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and our Congressional members — for rallying immediately on their own and in collaboration with NJAMHAA. They shared important information, ideas and resources, and enabled us to create great momentum that led to our collective success in having all the funding fully restored.