New Jersey’s Acting Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett will participate in a Superstorm Sandy Anniversary panel discussion on October 29 at Southern Jersey Family Medical Center in Pleasantville.

The 10 a.m. roundtable talk will center on how Department grants have aided health care providers in identifying and screening individuals for behavioral health issues related to Superstorm Sandy. These services have assisted more than 50,000 residents who have been screened for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse and referred for evaluation, treatment, and other services.

The Department has awarded a total of $4.3 million to community health centers and hospitals to provide behavioral health screenings and identify those struggling with storm-related stresses.

These grants serve individuals in the nine counties hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy: Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union.

What: New Jersey’s Acting Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett will participate in a panel discussion with Southern Jersey Family Medical Center clients and staff about the Department of Health’s behavioral health grants and their impact on affected communities.

Who:

• New Jersey’s Acting Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett 
• Linda Flake, President and CEO of Southern Jersey Family Medical Center
• Two SJFMC clients who were significantly impacted by Sandy and benefitted from screening services will share their stories.
• SJFMC staff and social workers

When: October 29
10 to 11 a.m.

Where: Southern Jersey Family Medical Center
932 South Main Street, Pleasantville NJ 08232