Tag Archives: mental health

Accessibility of Mental Health Support Increased for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

By Tori Duym

In recent times, mental health concerns have grown to be a central focus of society. According to Mental Health America, about 19.86% of people are experiencing some form of mental health battle. Many individuals struggle in silence simply because they do not have access to the proper resources for treatment. Whether it be for financial reasons or lack of information, this can be avoided.

In May 2023,  Gov. Phil Murphy implemented a bill supporting unhoused individuals receiving free and accessible mental health care. Several government officials, such as the Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman have commented positively on this legislation as they believe mental health should be prioritized for all. 

The New Jersey state government partnered with the NJ Coalition for Ending Homelessness in the process of creating this legislation.

This legislation is an important step in the right direction to provide the wraparound services people experiencing homelessness throughout our state so desperately need,” CEO Connie Mercer said in an article from the Department of Human Services.

Additionally, Mercer County has a mental health division that is committed to serving the community and offering help. This division is another element that works hand-in-hand with the implementation of Murphy’s bill. They can help unhoused individuals easily navigate these new resources and also address the concern of being able to afford the services.

The Division of Mental Health is a county-funded resource, and it plays a role in assisting to enforce the new bill as well, making sure that everyone in need is receiving access to essential mental health resources.

The Division of Mental Health’s mailing address can be found at 640 S. Broad Street in Trenton, NJ, P.O. Box 8068. Michele Madiou, director of mental health for the division, can be reached at mmadiou@mercercounty.org. The DMH can be reached at 609-989-6574. 

Several emergency shelters in the area including Rescue Mission and others in Mercer County now offer free mental health support for individuals experiencing homelessness. If you or someone you know is in need of support, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of these resources as New Jersey is now required to provide access to mental health support, thanks to the A-4755 bill.

The Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health

By: Abby Duff

Since the arrival of COVID-19 to the U.S. a year ago, the pandemic has led to a rise in unemployment, a shortage of vital resources, and an intense decrease in human contact. The lack of once guaranteed daily interactions with other people has had detrimental negative impacts on individuals’ mental health in one way or another.

There have been increased reports of excessive alcohol consumption, sleep and eating disorders, and chronic conditions such as anxiety and depression as a result of the effects of the pandemic. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Household Pulse Survey, between January 2019 and January 2021, the amount of adults reporting severe anxiety and depression disorders has skyrocketed from 11% in 2019 to 41.1% in 2021. These spikes have been particularly prevalent in individuals who have experienced job loss, communities of color, young adults, and essential workers. 

In addition, the KFF reported that 48% of Non-Hispanic Black adults and 46% of Hispanic or Latino adults were more likely to report a mental health disorder in comparison to White adults, who were reported at 41%. Adults that experienced job loss and, subsequently, a source of income had increased rates of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and a higher likelihood of suicide. Essential workers have experienced increased anxiety and thoughts of suicide during the pandemic, as they are subject to conditions that could lead to contracting COVID-19 at their place of employment on any given day. Young adults whose daily routines have been turned upside down by the cease of in-person instruction have reported higher rates of anxiety and depression, as well as, substance abuse. Nearly all of these demographics are afraid to reach out and receive counseling for fear of judgment or financial restrictions. 

It can be hard to talk to friends and loved ones about mental health struggles, especially when you can’t find the words to say how you’re feeling, and speaking to a specialist is usually expensive. However, there are several local organizations that offer free or at least affordable mental health services, and there are other measures that can be taken to improve one’s mental health when struggling, regardless of whether it is the result of the pandemic or a lifelong struggle. The Mercer County Division of Mental Health provides a hotline (877-294-4357) to all residents who are in need of help and do not know who to contact. The Diocese of Trenton also provides free mental health counseling to anyone who is in need. MercerResourceNet.org has a list of organizations in the local area that can help people of all demographics who are suffering. 

As the spring approaches and the weather improves, please remember that even a walk in a park and a conversation with a friend (while adhering to CDC Guidelines, of course) can go a long way for someone who is struggling, so reach out to your friend and loved ones, and do not be ashamed to ask for help, you are loved. 

Mental Health Resources:

Mercer County Division of Mental Health

Diocese of Trenton

MercerResourceNet

Mental Health & The COVID-19 Pandemic

By: Brie Wells

Close to 3.1% of adults in New Jersey live with serious mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Mental Health affects all aspects of life and is defined as a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. As the Coronavirus Pandemic churns on and death rates rise, mental health in surrounding communities has taken a tremendous toll. 

According to the CDC, The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with mental health challenges and a rise in illnesses that are related to morbidity and mortality rates. As the days go on more and more cases increase and the national average goes up tremendously. In relation to public health emergencies, such as COVID-19, the spread of disease may affect the health, safety, and well-being of many individuals. This can cause a plethora of problems such as insecurity, confusion, emotional isolation, and stigma in relation to communities who have faced economic loss, work and school closures, inadequate resources for medical response, and deficient distribution of necessities according to the New England Journal of Medicine. 

The frequency of these events which have been caused by the disease and the necessary mitigation activities used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as physical distancing and stay-at-home orders have dramatically affected the mental health of thousands of people. New Jersey remained under a mandatory stay-at-home order for months limiting access to stores, industries, and vital resources for all New Jersey residents. Recently, the stay-at-home order was lifted but New Jersey still has restrictions on travel and the reopening of business to contain the spread of COVID-19 which has prevented the return to normalcy.

In these times many New Jersey residents may need help with mental health resources and there are many options that are being offered to the community. One resource is through reaching out to NJ Mental Health Cares if one fears that a person they love may be struggling with mental health. NJ Mental Health Cares is a state health information and referral service that can help people who are dealing with anxiety and worry in relation to COVID-19. Residents can reach NJ Mental Health Cares by calling 1-866-202- HELP or by visiting https://www.njmentalhealthcares.org

Another resource that can help with the handling of mental health is the advice listed on the CDC website to deal with mental stress related to COVID-19. These tips include knowing what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19, knowing where to get treatment, taking care of one’s emotional health, taking breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media and using methods such as meditation or stretching to reduce stress. 

One final resource available to the public is a free hotline open to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to have a place to seek emotional support. Residents can call the video hotline at 973-870-0677 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Although the cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in New Jersey, it is important to remember that keeping yourself healthy involves taking care of both physical and mental health. 

 

Links to Research 

https://www.nj211.org/covid-19-and-mental-health

https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/clients/mental/

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2008017

https://www.rtor.org/directory/mental-health-new-jersey/

https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/topic/MentalHealth.html

https://www.mhanj.org/covid-19/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fmanaging-stress-anxiety.html