NJAMHAA’s Untold Stories Campaign has been developed to demonstrate the value of behavioral health care and the need for significantly increased funding in the FY 2026 budget.
For many months, Juanita’s anxiety and depression made it difficult for her to go to her job and to socialize with her friends. When Juanita finally built the motivation and courage to seek help, she was added to a wait list and did not have her first outpatient mental healthcare appointment for several months.
During that time, Juanita’s mental health further deteriorated and led to a drastic decline in her job performance and she lost her job. This situation led to insomnia and withdrawal from her friends. Fortunately, Juanita was able to be stabilized with individual therapy and medication management from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton’s Early Intervention Support Services program. She was then referred to Catholic Charities’ outpatient program to maintain her stability.
Juanita’s Situation Could Have Been Better if She Received Services Earlier
- She would have been spared the torment of worsening depression and anxiety and the resulting impact on her relationships.
- She may not have ended up losing her job, which could have prevented further worsening of her mental health challenges, as well as stress resulting from financial constraints.
The Following Would Likely Have Happened if Juanita Never Received Services:
- Further exacerbation of depression and anxiety
- Need for treatment in emergency rooms and/or inpatient hospital units, which are much more costly than community-based behavioral healthcare services
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Increased risk of not being able to secure new employment, which can cause further mental and emotional decompensation
Join New Hope IBHC and NJAMHAA in Advocating with your State Representatives for the Following to Reduce these Risks:
In the FY2026 State Budget:
- 8% increases in Medicaid and fee-for-service rates, as well as contracts
- Investment in the behavioral healthcare workforce
- $10 million to maintain New Jersey’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
- Additional significant investments to strengthen the behavioral healthcare system and, as a result, improve New Jersey residents’ quality of life, as well as the state’s bottom line
In addition, signing into law of several bills to further reinforce mental healthcare, substance use treatment and social services, including:
- A1143/S1032 to ensure the State considers a cost-of-living adjustment for human services’ rates and contracts each year
- S2504/A3937 to set Medicaid rates for mental health services equal to Medicare rates for the same services
- S3565/A2803 with amendments to increase access to telehealth