NJAMHAA urges Governor Phil Murphy and the State Legislature to keep in mind the following as they develop and vote on the FY2026 State Budget and legislation that impacts behavioral healthcare services - and most importantly, the many children, youth and adults who depend on them.

• Stories of behavioral healthcare providers leaving the field
• Individuals’ resulting loss of opportunities to improve their health and quality of life, and therefore, to achieve important goals, such as education, employment and family reunification
• Successes of recovery from mental illnesses and substance use disorders and the many personal achievements made possible as a result

Click here for an example of a dedicated social worker having to leave the field due to an inadequate salary and adverse health effects of a drastically higher work load, and a success story from a service recipient — one example of what would become possible for many more New Jersey residents with a stronger behavioral healthcare system.