Often, people call the Department of the Public Advocate because they have a complaint about something but are unsure about where to report it. If you have a complaint about a mental health center in New Jersey, you have several options. 

First, contact the local office of the Division of Mental Health Services and ask to speak to the Program Analyst for the county in which the service is located. A list of offices for the Division of Mental Health Services is located at:

www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/services/

You can also contact the Mental Health Administrator in your county. The addresses and telephone numbers for each of the Mental Health Administrators in New Jersey can be found at:

www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/home/index.html

If you have a complaint about a private practitioner, such as a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a social worker, you can contact the Division of Consumer Affairs and make a complaint to the individual’s licensing board. A list of licensing boards, along with addresses and telephone numbers, can be accessed at:

www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/index.htm

If you or a loved one is currently hospitalized and you have serious concerns, call the Division of Mental Health Services’ hotline at 1-888-490-8413. You may also contact the Patient Advocate at each hospital.