The Mental Health Association in New Jersey's own Tonia Ahern will be featured.
According to Tonia Ahern, “Substance use conditions are a family disease.” As a mother severely impacted by her son’s addiction, Tonia knows about this issue first-hand. As a community advocate and Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) team member, she’s helped hundreds of people on the journey to recovery — as a family.
Tonia is one of the family members to share her poignant story in Untreated and Unheard: The Addiction Crisis in America. This insightful documentary reveals the family perspective of living with a loved one who has a substance use and/or mental health condition. The film also addresses the impact and trauma caused by criminalizing the disease of addiction.
The general public is invited to a free screening of Untreated & Unheard on May 11 at 6 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark. A panel discussion will follow the screening, to be moderated by Maia Szalavitz, a New York Times reporter and an author, with Tonia as one of the panelists. Please see the flyer below for details and click here to register and for more information.
Resources in New Jersey
ReachNJ offers a 24/7 free helpline, 844-REACHNJ (732-2465) for New Jersey residents looking for help with a substance use condition. The MHANJ’s NJ Connect for Recovery program offers a helpline, 855-632-3737, and education for family members who have a loved one with a substance use condition.
