State and National mental health resources for librarians.
New Jersey State Organizations
Mental Health Association in New Jersey
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey strives for mental health for children and adults through advocacy, education, training, and services.
Some programs and services include:
- Community Education
- Community Support
- Employment and Workforce Development
- NJ Disaster Response Crisis Counselor Certification
NJ Mental Health Cares Helpline
NJMentalHealthCares is New Jersey’s behavioral health information and referral service. Their staff of behavioral care specialists uses their experience and understanding of the behavioral health system to provide callers with information and connect them to the behavioral health and services they need.
1-866-202-HELP(4357) (TTY 1-877-294-4356)
Live service is provided from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m, seven days a week.; other times callers may leave a message for a return call the following business day.
Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma
In November of 2004, then Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the executive order that created the Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health. This task force was formed to rigorously investigate New Jersey’s mental health system and develop solutions to the obstacles that currently face those with mental illness – and their families.
The New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)
State of New Jersey- Department of Human Services
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services was created by merging the Division of Addiction Services and the Division of Mental Health Services during State Fiscal Year 2011. The Division is responsible for the development, coordination and operational support of a comprehensive mental health and addiction services system.
Hotlines/Helplines/Treatment Directories
Disaster and Terrorism Branch
The Disaster and Terrorism Branch is home to a multi-disciplinary Training and Technical Assistance Group (TTAG) which has the capacity to provide on-demand training for mental health professionals in the wake of disaster to further increase the state’s capacity to address the psychosocial needs of the community. The services available through the Disaster and Terrorism Branch include:
- Individual crisis counseling
- Psychological first aid
- Disaster-specific psycho-educational information
- Group crisis counseling
- Consultation and training
- Information and referral services
- Toll-free warm line services
National Organizations
MentalHealth.gov – US Department of Health & Human Services
MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information.
MentalHealth.gov aims to educate and guide:
- The general public
- Health and emergency preparedness professionals
- Policy makers
- Government and business leaders
- School systems
- Local communities
NIH – National Institute of Mental Health
The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.
Medline
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.
Mental Health America
Mental Health America (MHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives.
National Alliance on Mental Health
Children, Youth, and Young Adults
Active Minds
Active Minds is the leading nonprofit organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation.
Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is committed to finding effective treatments for childhood psychiatric and learning disorders, building the science of healthy brain development, and empowering children and their families with help, hope, and answers.
The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation provides expertise in promoting emotional and mental health and preventing suicide among teens, young adults, and college students.
Free Mental Health Apps
Operation Reach Out
Literally a lifesaving app, this free intervention tool helps people who are having suicidal thoughts to reassess their thinking and get help. Recommended by followers of @unsuicide, who report that this app has helped in suicidal crises. Developed by the military, but useful to all.
PTSD Coach
PTSD Coach is an app developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD, intended for use by veterans, military personnel, and civilians experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It provides a self-assessment tool that allows users to track symptoms over time (though it does not clinically diagnose PTSD) as well as tools for managing symptoms. Users can also store contacts for personal support, locate nearby treatment programs, and contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline quickly in emergencies.
ReliefLink
ReliefLink is an innovative free app developed specifically for suicide prevention and more generally for improving your mental health that brings confidential and supportive help right to the palm of your hand! ReliefLink enables you to create a personalized profile that includes pertinent information such as your mental health professional’s contact info, insurance coverage, and current medications. Track your mood and thoughts daily, create a safety plan, make a list of reminders (e.g. appointments, take medication, etc.) and check out the unique coping methods such as voice-recorded mindfulness and relaxation exercises or simply enjoy relaxing music.
Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is meditation made easy. A simple tool that helps put a smile on your mind anytime, anywhere and everyday. Smiling Mind is a unique web and App-based program developed by a team of psychologists with expertise in youth and adolescent therapy, Mindfulness Meditation and web-based wellness programs.
Breathe2Relax
Breathe2Relax is a portable stress management tool which provides detailed information on the effects of stress on the body and instructions and practice exercises to help users learn the stress management skill called diaphragmatic breathing.Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ (stress) response, and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management. Breathe2Relax can be used as a stand-alone stress reduction tool, or can be used in tandem with clinical care directed by a healthcare worker.
MyMedSchedule
MyMedSchedule Mobile is a secure medication schedule and reminder program, complete with pictures of your pills. It allows you to create and save easy-to-understand medication schedules. Each MyMedSchedule shows what times you should take your medications or supplements, how much to take, and the purpose.
Teens and Young Adults
DoSomething.org’s Crisis Text Line
Provides teens with free, round-the-clock access to trained counseling and referrals.
BoosterBuddy
This Canadian app provides teens with a list of coping mechanisms, tips for controlled breathing exercises, types of mental health concerns, and ways to manage symptoms. BoosterBuddy was created by Calgary-based developers Robots & Pencils, Island Health, Victoria Hospitals Foundation and a $150,000 donation from Coast Capital Savings. The app helps teens do the following:
- Check-in with how you are feeling each day
- Use coping skills
- Keep track of appointments and medications
- Get started on tasks
- Follow self-care routines
- Increase real-life socialization
OK2TALK
The goal of OK2TALK is to create a community for teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems and encourage them to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope. Anyone can add their voice by sharing creative content such as poetry, inspirational quotes, photos, videos, song lyrics and messages of support in a safe, moderated space. The site hopes this is the first step for teens towards getting help and feeling better.