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DMHAS is the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) that oversees the state's public system of adult mental health services.  The SMHA operates state psychiatric hospitals and contracts with providers for community services.  In addition, four county-operated psychiatric hospitals function as part of the continuum of services and receive most of their funding from the SMHA.  The DMHAS has a Patient Services Compliance Unit as a means to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect or professional misconduct while patients are hospitalized.

The state actively includes consumers and family members in Patient Services Compliance Unit.  In 2012, the Patient Services Compliance Unit conducted five separate on-site reviews in all of the state psychiatric hospitals.

The programs that the SMHA funds fall within three levels of service along the continuum of care. Descriptions of these various levels of care can be accessed through the mental health directory.

Acute Care Services and crisis stabilization (such as crisis/screening centers, short term care facilities, early intervention support services, Involuntary Outpatient Commitment , and Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation (such as supportive housing, Residential Services; Supported Employment; Supported Education, programs in assertive community treatment (PACT), Illness Management and Recovery (IMR); justice involved services; Integrated Case Management Services; Outpatient Services; Partial Care; Statewide Clinical Outreach Program for the Elderly (S-COPE); and Legal Services Extended and Ongoing Support Programs (Consumer Operated Services)

The SMHA has consistently provided mental health and related support services to members of the armed forces and veterans as part of its regular behavioral health service delivery system.  When possible, the service member is connected to the VA healthcare system if eligible.  Behavioral health prevention, early identification, treatment and recovery support system efforts targeted to New Jersey's population of veterans is a high priority.

Each county has a Mental Health Board that is staffed by a Mental Health Administrator.  The Boards advise the SMHA and the Behavioral Health Planning Council of issues and programs that are of significance to their locale and residents.