NJAMHAA 75th Anniversary

50 75 th Anniversary New Jersey Mental Health Institute Provides Additional Support for Providers T he New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI) pursues innovative solutions to the most challenging behavioral health issues throughout New Jersey, as well as nationally and internationally. NJMHI’s first initiative was collaborating with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care) for nearly five years to provide training for New Jersey’s more than 11,000 initial Children’s System of Care partners. NJMHI provided logistical support, engaged presenters and performed back-office functions. The next major undertaking was NJMHI’s award-winning and nationally and internationally recognized Changing Minds, Advancing Mental Health for Hispanics Project , which aimed to enhance resources for New Jersey’s Hispanic communities and the providers who serve them. As a result of it, NJMHI expanded its focus to ensure availability of, access to and delivery of culturally competent services to a variety of minority populations, not only to racial and ethnic groups, but also the LGBTQIA+ community. Building on the momentum of its Changing Minds program, NJMHI established the National Resource Center for Hispanic Mental Health (NRCHMH) in 2006 to address persistent gaps in the availability, access and quality of mental health services for Hispanic populations nationally. NRCHMH built an online repository of provider resources, convened several national Latino mental health conferences and helped position NJMHI for federally funded initiatives. NJAMHAA members and the individuals they serve have benefited from many of NJMHI’s accomplishments. For example, policy recommendations led to the establishment of state-funded cultural competence training centers, two of which continue to operate today through NJAMHAA members, Center for Family Services and Family Connections. NJMHI’s efforts also led to the state providing funds to hire bilingual and bicultural clinicians within community-based mental health agencies; and requiring social and cultural diversity training for certified and licensed mental health professionals. In addition, NJMHI held multiple conferences providing cultural competence training to enhance the services for diverse racial and ethnic groups and individuals from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. “ Since its inception, NJMHI has played an important role in advancing access to mental health services across New Jersey. Through several professional roles, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with NJMHI on initiatives that helped strengthen the state’s mental health system and expand services for those who need them. NJMHI’s mission creates opportunities for organizations and leaders to work together, promoting thoughtful approaches to addressing complex challenges and improving systems of care . ” Elsa Candelario, DSW, MSSW, LCSW Vice Chair, NJMHI Board of Trustees Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the LISTA (Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training and Assessment) Certificate Program at Rutgers School of Social Work