Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Disability Information Hub

Mental Health

With an estimated 1 in 5 adults living with mental illness in the United States, mental health services are in high demand across the nation. New Jersey’s mental health support system is overseen by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Children’s System of Care. These agencies offer a wide range of treatment services and other resources, including substance use disorder treatment and peer support programs. 

 

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Mental Health and Addiction Services

 

The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) oversees New Jersey’s adult system (ages 18+ years) of community-based behavioral health services. Provider agencies deliver a full array of mental health and substance use disorder services, including: prevention, intervention, emergency screening, outpatient and intensive outpatient mental health and addictions services, partial care and partial hospitalization, case management, medication- assisted treatment for substance use, and long and short-term mental health and substance use residential services.

For more information, visit www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/home/

DMHAS has also created a list of community programs funded by the Division, which you can view sorted by county, or by the type of program.

 

Mental Health Services for Youth

If you are looking for substance use treatment services for youth 20 years old or younger, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Children’s System of Care can help connect you with services and supports through PerformCare. PerformCare is the single point of access to behavioral health and substance use treatment services for NJ youth through age 20 years. Trained associates at PerformCare are available 24/7 to assist in connecting you to services, and immediate support is available if you need urgent support or are experiencing a crisis. In addition to behavioral health and substance use treatment services, PerformCare can also assist in finding resources for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For more information, visit https://www.performcarenj.org/families/find-a-provider.aspx or call 1-877-655-7624.

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Mental Health Crisis Hotlines

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If you are having suicidal thoughts call or text 9-8-8 or visit the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to chat online with a trained crisis counselor.

 

Emotional Support For Sign Language Users

New Jerseyans can access emotional support by calling the ACCESS Mental Health Calling Center at 1-973-870-0677 (VP). Direct communication in American Sign Language is available from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals can also call the NJ Mental Health Cares to speak with a trained specialist by calling TTY 1-877-294-4356.

 

Veterans

For veterans in crisis, you can get help by:

Veterans can also turn to NJ Vet to Vet, a peer-counseling program. Call 1-866-838-7654 or chat online with a support specialist who is prior military. The toll-free help line is available 24-hours a day, 7 days per week for Veterans and their families.

 

Parents of Children in Crisis

An emergency is considered to be any serious and sudden medical, emotional, or behavioral health situation that, if not given immediate professional attention, could lead to your child being severely harmed or possibly harming someone else. If you have an emergency situation involving your child that is life-threatening, seek help immediately by dialing 911.

If your child is making threats towards himself/herself or others and you want to have your child evaluated for safety and/or psychiatrically screened, please refer to your nearest designated screening center. A list of screening centers is available here.

 

Mobile Response is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week, and can offer up to eight weeks of stabilization services after the initial dispatch. Parents or guardians can request services by contacting PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624 and following the menu prompts provided for an urgent situation.

 

PerformCare is the single point of access and contracted systems administrator for the Children’s System of Care. PerformCare may authorize Mobile Response to come your home within one hour of notification to provide face-to-face crisis services. Telehealth services may be provided at the family’s request if clinically appropriate.

 

Stabilization Management Services are available as a transition option after the initial 72-hour Mobile Response dispatch when a youth continues to exhibit behavioral and emotional needs that require continued intervention and coordination. Depending on your child’s needs Mobile Response may also refer you and your child for other services. Mobile Response and Stabilization Management Services are designed to support youth to remain in or return to their present living arrangement, to function within peer relationships, in school and community settings, and to maintain the least restrictive treatment setting.

For more information for caregivers, please see our caregivers support page.

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Additional Mental Health Resources and Guidance

 

DMHAS Ombudsman Representative

The DMHAS Ombudsman Representative serves as an advocate for individuals receiving services from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) in New Jersey. The Ombudsman Representative aids in resolving issues related to mental health and addiction services, helps navigate the system of care, and offers information and referrals to helpful resources. Visit the DMHAS Ombudsman website for more information, or call 1-609-438-4321.

 

NJ Eight Domains of Wellness Workbook

The NJ Eight Domains of Wellness Workbook is a comprehensive guide designed to help individuals explore and enhance various aspects of their wellness. Covering physical, emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and environmental wellness, the workbook provides practical exercises and strategies to promote holistic well-being. 

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NJ Wellness Recovery Action Planning Program

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHA NJ) offers the Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) program, a structured system developed by and for individuals with mental health conditions. WRAP is designed to help participants achieve their wellness goals and maintain their recovery through empowering strategies that support self-efficacy in managing symptoms. Visit the MHA NJ website for more information.

 

New Jersey Mental Health Cares

New Jersey Mental Health Cares offers telephone counseling, information and referral assistance in accessing behavioral health services. Visit the New Jersey Mental Health Cares website, or call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) (TTY 1-877-294-4356).

 

Substance Use Disorder

 

If you or a loved one needs help with substance use, call 1-844-732-2465 to connect with a trained addiction counselor at ReachNJ, the State’s addiction helpline.

Audio Description and Transcript: There is no shame in asking about addiction recovery. 844-ReachNJ

Trained staff are available 24/7 to identify your exact needs, provide referrals to support services, and seamlessly connect you to a local treatment provider. ReachNJ serves NJ residents of all ages regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

If you are having suicidal thoughts call or text 9-8-8, or visit the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to chat online with a trained crisis counselor.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and looking for substance use disorder recovery services, Signs of Sobriety offers information and referral, as well as coordination of services for communication access to Twelve Step and Self Help meetings throughout New Jersey.

DMHAS has also created a searchable directory to assist in locating programs for substance use treatment. For additional assistance in locating local treatment resources, please contact your County Drug and Alcohol Director.

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Peer Support Groups

 

Blind and Visually Impaired

ASPIRE, run by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is a network of peer- support groups across the state for individuals with vision loss to connect with others, exchange information, and provide emotional support. Call 1-877-685-8878 to find an ASPIRE support group near you.

Eye2Eye is a free, phone-based, peer support program, designed to help adults who are blind or visually impaired and their families adjust to the challenges of vision loss. Visit the Eye2Eye website for more information, or call 1-833-932-3921.

 

Caregivers

  • Care2Caregivers is a peer-led support program for those providing care for a family member or friend diagnosed with dementia in New Jersey; visit care2caregivers.com to find a support group or call 1-800-424-2494.
  • The Well Spouse Association offers peer support groups and online support for individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse or Find a support group near you online or call 1-732-577-8899.

 

Centers For Independent Living

Centers For Independent Living are community-based organizations that provide people with disabilities with a range of services including life skills training, advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling, socialization, and community-based activities. Find a center near you.

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Individuals and Families

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Jersey (NAMI NJ) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. It offers peer-led support groups, presentations, and mental health education programs to both individuals with lived experience of mental illness and family members and caregivers. Culturally sensitive services are provided through four multicultural programs. Visit the NAMI NJ website for more information, or call at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). You can also chat with a representative at nami.org/help, or email helpline@nami.org.

The NJ Self-Help Group, operated by the Mental Health Association of New Jersey, also serves as a comprehensive hub for finding self-help groups that address a wide range of isues, including mental health conditions, addiction, chronic illnesses, grief, and other life challenges. Visit the NJ Self Help Clearinghouse website for more information, or call 1-800-367-6274.

The NJ Peer Recovery Warm Line is a peer-run service providing non-crisis support and information for individuals experiencing mental health conditions. Staffed by trained peers with lived experience, the Warm Line offers empathetic listening, support, and resource referrals to help individuals navigate their recovery. Visit the NJ Peer Recovery Warm Line website for more information, or call 1-877-292-5588.

University Behavioral Care Access Center also offers a variety of referral and peer-to-peer helplines. Find more information on their website, or call 1-800-969-5300.

 

Mothers of Children With Special Needs

The Mom2Mom helpline (1-877-914-6662) offers mental health and peer support to mothers of special needs children. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days per week by moms who have been trained in peer counseling and crisis support and have special needs children themselves.

 

Spinal Cord Injury

Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (Short Hills, NJ) offers virtual support groups and peer mentors for individuals living with paralysis. Find support online or call 1-800- 539-7309 Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm.

 

Veterans

NJ Vet to Vet, is a peer-counseling program for New Jersey’s veterans. Call 1-866-838-7654 or chat online with a support specialist who is prior military. The toll-free help line is available 24-hours a day, 7 days per week for Veterans and their families.

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