An op-ed written by NJAMHAA President and CEO Debra L. Wentz,
PhD, has been published by insidernj.com and ROI-NJ. The op-ed
states that the numbers of individuals contending with mental
illness, substance use and overdoses have been increasing. These
rates have increased due to circumstances of the COVID-19
pandemic, such as social isolation and economic hardship, and
both racial and social injustices. Behavioral healthcare
providers have been able to support these individuals through
these difficulties so that individuals can achieve recovery and
other personal goals, despite the continued risks that the
frontline workers face during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Now, more than ever, New Jersey must invest in the
long-neglected community-based behavioral health workforce. With
them having had no cost-of-living adjustment in over a decade,
the state has also failed to provide any funding for the several
annual increases in the minimum wage. Recruitment and retention
of qualified staff has always been very difficult, given the fact
that starting wages in the largely nonprofit community behavioral
health system are, on average, $10,000 less than state, private
or educational systems, and the gap only grows from there. With
the impact of the pandemic on the workforce - many leaving the
field for various reasons and recruitment even more difficult for
these stressful, demanding jobs - and an exponentially growing
need, it is critical for New Jersey to strengthen and expand this
workforce," said Dr. Wentz.
Click here to view the piece on ROI-NJ and here to view it on insidernj.com.
