Staff turnover at behavioral healthcare organizations increases the challenges to give every New Jersey resident opportunities for wellbeing and success. Increased funding for behavioral healthcare services and the workforce is needed to maximize everyone's potential to recover from mental illnesses and substance use disoders and, therefore, achieve goals and enjoy a high quality of life.

In addition, the state's bottom line would be strengthened by increasing access to behavioral healthcare services and, therefore, preventing the need for and costs of emergency and inpatient treatment. 

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 illustration of the behavioral healthcare workforce shortage and its impact, and a success story from a service recipient — one of many examples of what would become possible for many more New Jersey residents with a stronger behavioral healthcare system.