(MHANJ) and Essex County Division of Community Health Services partnering to expand mental health awareness, suicide prevention training.
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) and the Essex County Division of Community Health Services are partnering to expand mental health awareness and suicide prevention training opportunities across the county. This initiative is made possible through a grant from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.
Essex County organizations connected with the Division of Community Health Services, will have access to two, evidence-based trainings: Mental Health First Aid training, which teaches participants to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges; and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training, which equips community members to identify suicide warning signs and connect individuals to care.
“These trainings provide practical tools for increasing awareness and supporting people in crisis,” said Carolyn Beauchamp, President and CEO of MHANJ. “We are grateful for the leadership and partnership of Essex County, and for the support of The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey in making this possible.”
“Mental Health First Aid and QPR trainings have been shown to significantly improve people’s knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and suicidal thinking in others as well as their comfort level in taking steps to offer assistance and provide referrals. This initiative will help us increase our reach and bolster the emotional wellness of the Essex County community,” said Ruth Kaluski, MHANJ’s Statewide Director of Strategic Programs and Mental Health First Aid.
To schedule a class, organization representatives may contact Elizabeth Marques at emarques@dchs.essexcountynj.org or Marilyn Feliciano at mfeliciano@mhanj.org.
About The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey
The mission of the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable, underserved populations in greater Newark and the Jewish Community of Greater MetroWest NJ, elevate the quality of community healthcare, reduce disparities in access, and promote the infusion of compassion and humanism into our healthcare system. The Foundation seeks to seed new initiatives, identify and expand existing healthcare programs, promote medical education to positively impact its targeted communities, and engage in partnerships to foster its goals.
About the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ)
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide nonprofit organization committed to promoting mental health, preventing mental illness, and improving the care and treatment of people affected by mental illness and substance use disorders. Through advocacy, education, training, and direct services, MHANJ works to eliminate stigma and create pathways to recovery and wellness for individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit https://www.mhanj.org/.
About the Essex County Division of Community Health Services (DCHS)
The Division of Community Health Services (DCHS) is committed to improving the well-being of Essex County residents by managing grants and supporting a wide range of community health initiatives. Their work goes beyond traditional medical concerns—they strive to enhance overall quality of life through programs that promote prevention, education, and inclusion.
DCHS addresses key public health issues such as environmental health and substance use disorders, while also supporting the integration of individuals with disabilities. They provide access to services and programs that foster self-development, promote equal opportunity, and empower residents to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Their mission is to build a comprehensive network of community health services that promotes social inclusion and addresses the diverse health-related needs of Essex County residents.
