NJAMHAA 75th Anniversary

Commemorative Journal 35 • National Association of Mental Health Information Officers (NAMHIO) – National Communications Award – First Place – Media Relations Category – Making News – Debra Wentz • NAMHIO – National Communications Award – Second Place – Logos and Nameplates Category – Standing Out in the Crowd • NAMHIO – National Communications Award – Honorable Mention – Newsletter Category – Staying on Top of the Issues – Debra Wentz • The Partnership of Behavioral Healthcare – Innovation Award – Gaining a Competitive Edge in the Marketplace – Debra Wentz • The Partnership of Behavioral Healthcare – Innovation Award – Standing Out in the Crowd – Debra Wentz • ASAE – Associations Advance America – Honor Roll – NJAMHAA Home Page – Communication ‘90s Style • APEX Award of Excellence – Most Improved Newsletter – Out With the Old, In With the New – Debra Wentz 1996 • Keystone Awards for Excellence in Membership – Certificate of Achievement – Best Technology Application – Communication – ‘90s Style NJAMHAA Awards (continued) To date, NJAMHAA’s advocacy resulted in: Reinstatement of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program following the end of the federal government shutdown and continuing through September 2026. Passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, which gives the authority to fund many crucial programs, including the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program, for the next five years. The House’s approval of a bill that would reestablish Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, but it was defeated by the Senate. Reversal of terminations of SAMHSA grants: NJAMHAA immediately jumped into action to fight for restoration, as these cuts would have decimated many critical, life-saving programs and would have been catastrophic for the vulnerable individuals who have been receiving the mental health and substance use treatment and supports the programs offer. NJAMHAA reached out to members for details and to then-Attorney General (AG) Matthew Platkin to provide information and work with the AG’s Office; collaborated with national partners, including the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Legal Action Center; and wrote to Congressional representatives and sent immediate non-stop alerts to members, urging them to do the same. As a result, the grant terminations were rescinded within 24 hours of the announcement. Temporary extension of tele-prescribing for controlled substances until December 31, 2026 from the Drug Enforcement Administration. FY2026 “ Everything about NJAMHAA is forward thinking, well thought out and backed with facts. NJAMHAA’s voice has always been very powerful. ” Theresa Wilson, MSW, LCSW Former Board Treasurer, former President and CEO of South Jersey and former Executive Vice President of Inperium NJ EE The correlation between social media usage and mental health issues, especially adolescents’ depression and anxiety, was first recognized. Early 2010s Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven mental health tools became more sophisticated. Examples include evidence-based chatbots and AI- based digital therapeutics that were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. 2010s