Resources

Learn About Stigma

The Anatomy of Stigma

The history, reach, and consequences of stigma. Learn about the Anatomy of Stigma.

Stigma – Language Matters

Discusses how to speak to and about people with mental illness in a respectful way.

Stop the Pain NJ

Stories and conversations from people dealing with the opioid epidemic. Stop the pain, stop the shame. 

Get Help

For Immediate Support, Call 988

If you need suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please call or text 988 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Dialing 988 will connect directly with crisis support, nationwide. Learn more about 988.

Morris County Department of Human Services

The Morris County Department of Human Services provides help and assistance to residents in need, from children to families to seniors. Services provided by the Department include financial and emergency assistance, access to mental health and substance abuse services, job training and support, prevention services for youth, support for veterans, transportation for elderly and disabled, meals on wheels and adult protective services for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse.

Morris & Sussex ResourceNet

Morris/Sussex ResourceNet provides a wide range of information about support, resources, and services for families in Morris and Sussex Counties, New Jersey. Check out their behavioral/mental health directory for information on local providers!

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

Peer-to-Peer Support Line (Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris)

e Peer-to-Peer Support Line is staffed by mental health consumers who are trained to provide non-crisis support. They will listen to what you have to say and offer you encouragement,  understanding, and support. Because they’ve experienced similar challenges and have successfully dealt with them, they know what you may be going through. If you are experiencing grief,  sadness, anger, loneliness or any other feelings that are hard to handle, please call and get the support you deserve—from people who understand. Call (toll free) 1-877-760-4987 or 1-866-445-3902 or 1-800-381-2059 between 5:00pm-10:00pm, 365 days a year.

ReachNJ.gov

A new website and helpline designed to clarify how to identify, prevent, treat and recover from substance abuse. Nobody is alone. When you visit www.reachnj.gov, you will immediately find the helpline number, 1-844-Reach-NJ, be able to live chat with a resource officer and pinpoint on a map the nearest treatment facility.

True North

Behavioral Health Services for Veterans and Families of Morris & Sussex Counties
True North is a unique program providing behavioral health services for veterans and their families. Any veteran or family member from Morris & Sussex Counties are eligible, regardless of discharge status or insurance coverage. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Atlantic Behavioral Health ACCESS Services at 1-888-247-1400.

Wellness Respite Services

The Respite House is a safe alternative to an inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. As a peer-run initiative, Respite staff provides 24/7 peer to peer support in working through a mental health crisis. The Respite House provides a comfortable setting in which guests can establish positive coping skills and become empowered to establish healthy habits and routines. For more information, call 862-239-9896.

Morris County ID Card

A partnership of the Sheriff and Human Services offices, they provide Morris County Identification Cards for Morris County residents ages 18 – 54 who may not have a driver’s license or just want another form of identification. These cards are used for identification purposes only and may not be accepted by certain agencies that require a state ID (such as a driver’s license).

Stop Teen Suicide: You Are Not Alone

Are you, or someone you know, feeling depressed, anxious or alone? Visit the MHA’s Stop Teen Suicide website for suicide warning signs, conversation starters, and resources. Remember – you are not alone. Learn about the Do’s & Don’ts(PDF, 163KB) of talking to someone who might be suicidal.

NewBridge

NewBridge’s services include adult and family counseling, substance abuse treatment and addiction recovery, play therapy for young children, school-based prevention programs, youth employment and education services, adult day treatment programs, and outreach to the elderly.

Morris County Police Critical Incident Debriefing Team

For police officers. When police officers engage in a shooting, or work to save an injured victim, or pull bodies out of wrecked cars or planes, retrieve the body of a child, or witness the death of a colleague, they are going to experience major disruptions in their biology, cognition, belief systems, and emotional life. The Morris County Police Critical Incident Debriefing Team runs Critical Incident Stress Debriefings to minimize the damaging effect of a stressful event on police officers.

Suicide Prevention Resources

A list of suicide prevention resources for parents, youth, educators, and more. Features upcoming webinars and events related to suicide prevention.

Support Groups and Workshops

Active Minds

Active Minds is the leading nonprofit organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking.  With over 400 chapters nationwide, they are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation.

Mending Arts

Mending Arts are therapeutic workshops formed to improve the lives of children and adolescents suffering from the painful challenges of trauma, loss, separation, maltreatment, serious illness, or disability. We provide programs that utilize the performing, visual, media, literary, and culinary arts or other creative means to promote healing. Our goal is to provide opportunities for the youth to reexamine their experiences, channel their emotions, enhance resiliency, renew trust, and encourage healthy adjustment to circumstances beyond their control.

Workshops are designed to promote self-esteem, reinforce children’s pride in accomplishment, and foster a sense of childhood joy, creativity, and exuberance while encouraging the development of artistic and interpersonal skills. They are facilitated by board-certified master’s level creative arts therapists and trained teaching artists. For more information please call Family Intervention Services: Allison Zeis, mending arts program coordinator or Ingrid Vaca-Bullaro, regional director at 973-586-5243.

Mental Health First Aid – Find a Course

Get training in Mental Health First Aid – an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Find a first aid training course.

Morris Community Wellness Center

The Morris Community Wellness Center has been providing peer-led services to grow beyond mental health and co-occurring challenges in Morris County for over 20 years. At the center, they have computer access, an exercise area, and community meals. They link people to employment, give computer support, and volunteer. Ongoing groups at the center include Anxiety & Depression, Mindful Living, and the Hearing Voices Network. For more information, read the Morris CWC brochure(PDF, 939KB) or visit https://cspnj.org.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group(PDF, 455KB) is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others living with mental illness. By sharing experiences in a safe and confidential setting, you gain hope and develop relationships. The group encourages empathy, productive discussions and a sense of community.

NAMI NJ E-Newsletter

Sign up for this informative monthly newsletter from NAMI NJ. Get updates on mental health events throughout the state of New Jersey!

Parent-To-Parent

Parent-To-Parent is a Grassroots Coalition for parents and loved ones who are suffering the ravaging effects of substance abuse. It continues to fight the stigma associated with substance abuse. The standard continues to be that drug addiction is a personal failing rather than a complex illness. Addiction is a progressive, debilitating disease that has the potential of being fatal if it is not treated.

  • Morris County support meetings: 7PM on Wednesday nights, St. Clare’s Hospital cafeteria, Dover

Remembering T.J. – A Story of Teen Depression, Lessons, and Hope

On December 1, 2010, 16-year-old cherished son, brother, friend, varsity athlete and honor student T.J. Sefcik died by suicide.  In the hopes of preventing other teens from following the same path, T.J.’s parents, Wendy and Steve, and his 17-year-old brother Matt share T.J.’s story of living with depression.

This program gives students and parents a view of what teen depression can look like and educates them to pay attention to their mental health and emotions, something that is often pushed to the side. Learn more about Remembering T.J. or contact Wendy Sefcik at 908-227-8481 or [email protected].

Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth

Everyone could use some support from time to time. Seeking help is never a weakness. Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth provide resources for teens and adults facing challenges related to everyday life. Hotlines are available for teens in crisis.

Postcards

Spread the word about the fight against mental health and substance use stigma! We’ve created a series of informative postcards on topics such as anxiety, postpartum depression, and substance use disorder, which are free for use by governments, non-profits, schools, and clinics:

If you plan to use these postcards, please contact the Stigma-Free Communities Initiative to let us know!