2024 advocacy piece

3 Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment In recent years, New Jersey has made significant investments in its existing behavioral health system while also expanding several services and beginning the implementation of new components of care to fill gaps. These have all been positive and necessary steps in making sure all New Jerseyans have access to mental health and substance use treatment services when they are needed. Within the structure established by the state for this system, it is the individuals who deliver the services and those who support these direct care staff who make a difference in the lives of the thousands of diverse children, youth and adults whom they serve each and every day – people like Adiba and Jen. They provide the opportunities that open paths to recovery and reaching goals that improve the health, well-being and future of these individuals with a mental illness, substance use disorder, intellectual or developmental disability or co-occurring disorders. Unfortunately, the workforce does not exist to fully staff current programs, let alone support expansions or new components, at least not without taking from one position to fill another. Without greater investment in the workforce to fill the gaps, there will not be anyone to serve the ever-growing number of children, youth and adults who need help; to implement new services; or to realize the promise of newly created mobile crisis teams and crisis receiving and stabilization centers. There are so many individuals with potential who are unable to realize the same types of successes as Alice, Daryna and Illias because they could not access the services they needed at the appropriate times. Full investment via adequate rates and contracts that cover all the costs of care including competitive wages is needed. There can be no delay as recruitment and retention continue to worsen as behavioral health providers cannot compete in the labor marketplace. Other investments are needed, too – in facilities, billing systems, and expansion of programs that address the social determinants of health such as training, nurse navigators and housing options for the reentry population. The need for behavioral healthcare has not abated. There is so much unmet demand among New Jersey’s children, youth and adults. Each one is worthy of the investment that would support a system of care able to meet the demand. Without full investment in behavioral health services, others like Zhan, Miguel and Angelica will have no path to the vital treatment and supports that they need, deserve and are worthy of.