Mental Health of Essex County

If you are having an emotional crisis, click here to find your local emergency screening center available 24/7

Tel: 973-509-9777

Mental Health Association of Essex County, Inc.

Overview
Services
- Children
  - Riskin Children's Center
    The Riskin Children's Center offers a creative team approach to meet the emotional needs of children ages 3-17.
  - School Counseling
    Youth Development Specialists provide assessment and supportive counseling services at local high schools and middle schools.
  - Unified Care Management
    Community-based program that primarily works with "aging-out" youth (16-21) who have various behavioral, emotional and mental health needs.
- Adults
  - Prospect House
    A Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program For the Severely and Persistently Mentally Ill
  - Integrated Case Management Services
    ICMS serves persons diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness who need assistance, support, advocacy, referral, and intervention in all areas of maintenance for management of mental health.
  - Center for Low Cost Psychotherapy
    CLCP is open to individuals 18 years of age and older who can benefit from therapy but cannot afford to pay private practitioners' fees. Typical problems include anxiety, depression, family conflicts, problems at work or at school and adjustment problems.
  - Prospect Employment Services
    The staff at Prospect Employment Services is committed to providing empowerment, uplifting and advocacy intervention measures that assist clients in reaching their individual goals of employment, financial independence, wellness and recovery.
  - Supportive Living Services
    The Supportive Living Services are designed to create permanent consumer 'leased-based' housing for individuals diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness.
  - Collaborative Justice Services
    Services are designed to reduce the adjudication and incarceration of mentally ill consumers to municipal and county jails.
  - Assisted Outpatient Treatment Services (AOTS)
    
    AOTS is a new program consisting of court-ordered case management for mental health consumers with a history of resistance to treatment.
- Families
  - Intensive Family Support Services
    The purpose of intensive family support services is to improve the overall functioning and quality of life of families with a relative with a serious mental illness.
  - Thursdays
    Thursdays is intended for adults, ranging in age from 18 and older that have significant mental illness and need to improve their social support network.
  - Family Support Groups
    Utilizing a relaxed, informal non-judgmental, open approach, families can come together in a group for mutual support.
  - Psycho-Educational Series
    A free educational series for families and friends about Mental illness types, treatments, programs, benefits and more.
  - Project F.ER.S.T. (Family Emergency Room Support Team)
    On-site professional support to families with a loved one in need of hospital-based mental health services.
  - Latino Outreach Program
    
    The mission of Bienvenidos is to provide free, accessible, and confidential supportive counseling to Latino individuals and families who have been affected by mental illness, and who reside in Essex County, NJ
Advocacy
Calendar
Fundraising
Board
Financial & Management Reports

Overview

One of the most troubling aspects of mental illness is the tremendous
burden of shame or stigma that is too often associated with these
medically-based, diagnosable and, most importantly, treatable conditions. Many people are reluctant to seek treatment because they are afraid of negative stereotypes, while others may fail to recognize that their emotions and feelings are actually symptoms of a more serious condition. Getting help is the first step towards successful treatment and recovery, and recognizing the symptoms of mental illness is the first step towards getting help.

Some Types of Mental Illnesses

Mood Disorders, also known as "affective disorders" including:

Depression
Lasting feelings of great sadness or hopelessness.
Bipolar Disorder
Extreme mood swings (highs and lows); also known as "manic-depressive illness."
Schizophrenia
A group of disorders marked by very unusual thoughts,
actions and emotions. Symptoms include:
- Obsessions and delusions (false beliefs)
- Strong fears and hallucinations (having visions or hearing voices)
- Unusual thought and speech patterns
- Behavioral problems and withdrawal from every day life
Anxiety Disorders
Severe or lasting fears and/or anxieties. They include:
- General Anxiety - Constant worrying or tension
- Panic Attacks - Sudden fear or terror, causing heart flutters, dizziness, sweating, etc.

Help Line

Our Help Line is available
Monday through Friday
from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
by calling (973) 509-9777

At other times or in the case of a crisis or potentially dangerous circumstances, please contact your local hospital emergency room.

..................................................

For free and confidential mental health information and referral, call:

The NJ Mental Health Cares HelpLine:
TOLL FREE
1-866-202-HELP (4357)
or visit www.njmentalhealthcares.org

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