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4 The Behavioral Health Budget Must Reflect New Jersey Value & Needs B rian had been living in his brother’s guest room and was extremely depressed. When he was not working, he was alone, drinking and using drugs, which often led to him blacking out and becoming suicidal. Maryville Integrated Care helped change all that by providing effective treatment for both depression and substance use, which enabled Brian to develop coping skills and hope for his future. Two and a half years later, Brian remains sober, is a certified nursing assistant and aims to become a nurse. He is also engaged and has a daughter, enjoying restored family relationships and living in a beautiful shore town. “If it were not for Maryville, I would not have all the great things I have today. They helped me with all sorts of things from mental health to government resources. The people who worked with me were some of the most dedicated and helpful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Brian said. 800 780 760 740 720 700 680 660 640 620 8.5 8 7.5 7 6.5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 778 New Jersey Suicide Rates Number Rate per 100,000 population 8.3 8.0 7.1 7.1 7.7 7.2 762 679 688 769 709 Data is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Health Statistics, August 20, 2025 Provide $54 million in state funds to increase rates and contracts by 10% (garnering a federal match of $21 million). Pass legislation to ensure the State considers a cost-of-living adjustment for human services’ rates and contracts each year. Pass S3802/A4265 to set Medicaid rates for mental health services equal to Medicare rates for the same services. RECOMMENDATIONS