May is Mental Health Month and this week, May 2-8, 2021, is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Learn about how to support your child’s mental health at ffcmh.org/awarenessweek.

Mental Health Month (also known as Mental Health Awareness Month) is a national initiative to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. One in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, and everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Division of the Children’s System of Care has free or low-cost access to behavioral health support for children 24/7/365. For assistance call 888-222-2228 or access services from a family support organization at 877-652-7624.

The NJ MentalHealthCares Help Line offers free, confidential telephone counseling, emotional support, information and assistance in helping to get behavioral health services needed by you or a loved one. For assistance or more information, call the toll-free number from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day at 1-866-202-HELP (4357) or text “NJHOPE” to 51684 or videophone 973-870-0677 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday).

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care has established a COVID CONNECT helpline to provide and expand behavioral health treatments and support to individuals who are experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues related to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Call 833-223-0011, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Those who may be having suicidal thoughts should call 1-855-NJ-HOPELINE (855-654-6735).

Click here for information on “Mental Health for Children: What Parents Can Do.”