February 24, 2025
Although Gov. Murphy Will Deliver his FY2026 Budget Address on Feb. 25th,
Advocacy Must Continue until the Budget Is Passed!
Use NJAMHAA's Untold Stories Campaign to Reinforce that All New Jerseyans Deserve Opportunities
to Enjoy the Highest Quality of Life Possible, and the Necessity and Effectiveness
of Behavioral Healthcare Services!
Share this Story or Others from your Own Experience to Illustrate Providers’ Dedication and Impact!
Michael’s commitment as a licensed clinical social worker is demonstrated by serving in the field for more than 20 years and securing a second full-time job during the pandemic when the cost of living continued to rise and his salary was not increased to supplement his finances. Also during this time, Michael’s caseload more than doubled because many of his coworkers resigned and the number of individuals in need continued to increase.
The significant number of additional hours Michael worked to serve his new and existing clients ultimately had an adverse effect on his physical and mental health and would have prevented him from keeping the second job.
Michael had to make the difficult decision to leave the behavioral healthcare agency to safeguard his wellbeing and meet his fiscal responsibilities.
Michael feels bad about leaving his clients. The staffing change means they will likely experience difficulties adjusting to new counselors or have their care disrupted due to the clients’ decisions to no longer receive services or staff’s inability to keep up with their increasing caseloads.
Also Share the Story Below and Others to Demonstrate how Behavioral Healthcare Providers Empower Individuals of All Ages to Achieve Wellbeing and other Successes!
For many months, Juanita’s anxiety and depression made it difficult for her to go to her job and to socialize with her friends. When Juanita finally built the motivation and courage to seek help, she was added to a wait list and did not have her first outpatient mental healthcare appointment for several months.
During that time, Juanita's mental health further deteriorated and led to a drastic decline in her job performance and she lost her job. This situation led to insomnia and withdrawal from her friends.
Fortunately, Juanita was able to be stabilized with individual therapy and medication management from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton’s Early Intervention Support Services program. She was then referred to Catholic Charities' outpatient program to maintain her stability.
Highlight how Juanita and Others’ Situations Could Be Better if They Receive Services Earlier?
- She would have been spared the torment of worsening depression and anxiety, and the resulting impact on their relationships.
- She would have more likely maintained consistent employment, which could have prevented further worsening of mental health challenges, as well as stress resulting from financial constraints.
Illustrate What Would Likely Happen if Juanita and Others Never Receive Services!
- Further exacerbation of depression and anxiety
- Need for treatment in emergency rooms and/or inpatient hospital units, which are much more costly than community-based behavioral healthcare services
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Increased risk of not being able to maintain employment or secure a new job, which can cause further mental and emotional decompensation
Reinforce how these Risks Can Be Reduced!
In the FY2026 State Budget:
- Increase Medicaid and fee-for-service rates, as well as contracts, by 8%.
- Invest in the behavioral healthcare workforce, which has been declining as the demand for services has continued to increase.
- Provide $10 million to maintain New Jersey’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
- Make other significant investments to strengthen the behavioral healthcare system and, as a result, improve New Jersey residents’ quality of life, as well as the state’s bottom line.
In addition, legislation needs to be passed to further reinforce mental healthcare, substance use treatment and social services. For example:
- Pass A1143/S1032 to ensure the State considers a cost-of-living adjustment for human services’ rates and contracts each year.
- Pass S2504/A3937 to set Medicaid rates for mental health services equal to Medicare rates for the same services.
- Sign into law S3565/A2803 to increase access to telehealth.
Underscore that with this fiscal and legislative support, New Jersey will see many more successes such as Juanita’s and others whom you have served!
Join NJAMHAA in Calling for Increased Funding to Make More Successes Possible
Everyone's Voice Is Needed in Advocacy for Increased Behavioral Healthcare Funding in the FY2026 State Budget!
Share in your advocacy Juanita's story and others from your organization.
Click here to view NJAMHAA's campaign brochure and share it on your websites and social media pages!
Also, please encourage your staff, Board members, other colleagues, friends and family members to advocate!
Thank you for joining NJAMHAA in this critical advocacy effort!
