NJAMHAA Calls for Increased Funding and Specific Legislation and Policies for the State’s Behavioral Healthcare System

For decades, innovation in New Jersey’s behavioral healthcare system has resulted in a broad array of clinical and support services that enable individuals to improve their health and achieve other important goals. Unfortunately, the ongoing behavioral health workforce crisis and the continually increasing demand for care have prevented the full potential of these services from being realized. Illustrating the importance and effectiveness of these services and the need for significantly more resources to increase access to them is the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies’ (NJAMHAA’s) newly launched campaign, The Behavioral Health Budget Must Reflect New Jersey Values & Needs.

“Without access to behavioral health treatment and support services, many experience increased severity of mental illness and substance use disorders and often require more intensive and costly services in emergency departments and hospitals’ inpatient units. They also may become homeless or incarcerated. High-cost services could be dramatically reduced by increasing access to community-based treatment, recovery and other support services,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA.

The new campaign features individuals who were empowered through the treatment and other supports they received. There are Joanne and Jasryn whose recovery from substance use disorder enabled them to graduate from college and secure full-time employment, apartments and cars. Brian and Robert also recovered from addiction, as well as severe mental health disorders. Having received services that comprehensively addressed their needs, Brian is now pursuing a nursing career and engaged to be married, and Robert earned a Bachelor’s degree and is working at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, where he previously was a client.

Successes such as these would be possible for many others if the behavioral healthcare workforce is expanded and strengthened. To meet this need, NJAMHAA’s campaign provides detailed recommendations on policies, legislation and budget investments for Governor Sherrill’s Administration and the Legislature to enact. 

“New Jersey has a robust continuum of care for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, but gaps remain, and inadequate reimbursements challenge both fiscal stability and workforce adequacy. Investment is needed to sustain, strengthen and expand community-based services, which help prevent emergency room visits and hospitalizations,” Dr. Wentz stated. 

“The reduced overdoses and suicides and a better quality of life for those served that would follow are priceless,” Dr. Wentz stressed. “Significant investments to invaluable behavioral health services are the right and smart choice to make for those reasons alone; they also would be beneficial to the state’s bottom line.” 

Please click here to download NJAMHAA’s The Behavioral Health Budget Must Reflect New Jersey Values & Needs campaign.