|
NJMentalHealthCares Helpline helps individuals, families and communities identify, understand and effectively navigate programs that comprise the mental health and human services delivery systems. Built upon the philosophy of an individual's capacity for self-reliance and self-determination through advocacy, affirmation, education, research and service NJMentalHealthCares has exemplified commitment to service, community and integrity. |
|
|
November is National Caregivers Month
November is National Caregivers Month, a time designated to recognize the important role that family members, friends and neighbors play in caring for sick, elderly and disabled friends and relatives. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, a caregiver refers to "anyone who is care-giving and covering a wide variety of services, including emotional and spiritual support, assistance with financial matters, transportation and home- and health-related services." |
Paternal Depression Linked to Children's Behavior and Emotional Problems
Paternal depression and other mental health problems affect the behavior of children, researchers say. An analysis of surveys of nearly 22,000 U.S. children aged 5 to 17 and their mothers and fathers completed between 2004 and 2008 found that emotional and behavioral problems were significantly more likely to occur in children who have depressed fathers. The study, which appears in the journal Pediatrics, found that 6 percent of children with two mentally healthy parents have serious emotional or behavioral problems. The rate increases to 11 percent if the father is depressed, 19 percent if the mother is depressed and 25 percent if both parents are depressed. A mothers' mental health may be more influential because they often spend more time with the children than fathers, researchers say. Weitzman M, et al "Paternal depressive symptoms and child behavioral or emotional problems in the United States" Pediatrics 2011; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-3034. Click here to read the study. |
|
Mom 2 Mom Helpline Program Offers Support to Parents/Guardians of Special Needs Children
NJMentalHealthCares works closely with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's Mom 2 Mom Helpline to support a special gro up of caregivers - those who provide care for special needs children.
Mothers and guardians of special needs children have increased risk factors such as a risk of depression two-to-three times higher than the general population. They may also be prone to illness, self-blame, guilt about feeling that they cannot do enough, isolation, loss and mourning at every life benchmark, higher rates of divorce and violence and increased fears about aging and dying.
Professionals should be aware of these increased risk factors in order to accurately assess for them when working with families of special needs children.
Mothers and guardians of special needs children in Essex, Morris, and Union counties may receive the following services through the Mom 2 Mom Helpline program:
Mom 2 Mom Peer Support
Mom 2 Mom Clinical Assessment
Mom 2 Mom Network
Mom 2 Mom Monthly Support Groups.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Call Center Statistics
August 1, 2011
through
October 31, 2011
Total Calls: 5501
Most Requested Services:
Community Mental Health: 70%
Advocacy and Consumer Empowerment: 13%
|
|
State Expands Services through Early Intervention and Support Services (EISS)
Earlier this year the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) significantly increased the number of EISS programs available for mental health intervention. These programs, often known as "Wellness and Recovery Centers," provide short term, comprehensive behavioral health services for adults who are undergoing significant emotional or psychiatric distress and are in need of immediate intervention. Early Intervention and Support Services may be viable alternatives to emergency room care when individual treatment is voluntary and does not meet the criteria for inpatient hospitalization. Services include medication, crisis counseling, mental health counseling, case management and linkage to an ongoing service plan. Services are currently available in four counties, with a fifth to be added shortly:
Atlantic County:
Atlanticare Behavioral Health Services
866-750-6612
Camden County:
Steininger Behavioral Care Services
856-254-3800
Morris County:
The Wellness and Recovery Center at Saint Clare's Hospital
973-625-0096
Ocean County:
Ocean CREST - Ocean Mental Health Services, Inc.
732-240-3760
Middlesex County: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - coming soon! |
|
