For more information, contact Jaime Angelini, MA, DRCC, AMTP, Statewide Director of Disaster Services and Special Projects, at jangelini@mhanj.org or (973) 571-4100, ext. 215.
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey supports diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement. We offer a vast variety of programs addressing emotional health for families and individuals with diverse backgrounds that vary by culture, race, ethnicity, gender expression, religion and language.
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) provides support services that recognize health disparities and we work to increase awareness, education and engagement. We promote emotional wellness by embracing the mind, body and spirit approach while addressing the stigma and other barriers.
We educate members of our communities, members of the clergy and faith leaders to recognize mental health challenges and how to link congregants to resources. We have expanded the scope of the MHANJ’s well-established PEWS (Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality) program, led by Laverne S. Williams. PEWS has worked with New Jersey’s churches for over 15 years, providing education and training to Pastors, Deacons and church ministries to address the stigma of mental illness.
We provide:
—Family Consultation
- One-on-one sessions that provide coping techniques and strategies to promote wellness and resiliency as well as assistance in steering and navigating the complexities of the mental health system.
—Family Support Groups/ Education Workshops
- Our diverse, multilingual, multicultural team provides group sessions to help mitigate stress, manage emotional reactions and problem solve. Discussions of vaccine hesitancy, financial insecurity, grief and loss, and pandemic fatigue are the focus of many discussions from group participants
- Workshops provide families information on topic of mental health wellness, mental illness, suicide prevention and more…
—Community Engagement
- Collaboration and convening diverse groups who work with communities of color.
—Strengthen the role of the church in promoting mental wellness
- Educate church leaders on the topic mental health, prepare leaders to recognize mental health symptoms, learn how to have an appropriate conversation about it, and refer congregants to mental health professionals. It is likely that families in their congregations may be experiencing mental health challenges, so it is critical to find ways to normalize the conversation of mental health.
For more information, contact Jaime Angelini, MA, DRCC, AMTP, Statewide Director of Disaster Services and Special Projects, at jangelini@mhanj.org or (973) 571-4100, ext. 215.
