NJAMHAA Launches Campaign for the FY2026 State Budget

“Despite an anticipated budget tightening year ahead, it is imperative that the New Jersey Administration make significant increases in behavioral healthcare funding a top priority for the FY2026 State Budget,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA). The association launched its Untold Stories campaign to demonstrate why these funding increases must be made.

Reports continue of unprecedented numbers of children, youth and adults experiencing anxiety, depression and other disorders, and with greater acuity. Yet, the capacity of providers is limited by the workforce it employs, a workforce marked by vacancies, high turnover and non-competitive wages. 

“While much has been written about the national mental health crisis and, in particular, the youth mental health crisis, there are so many more untold stories of those directly and indirectly impacted. The families, colleagues, communities and, just as often, the state’s bottom line, are affected,” Dr. Wentz said. “The unmet needs of those with mental health and/or substance use disorders not only lead to greater costs due to increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations, incarcerations, and life-long comorbidities, but also to a direct reduction in revenue from those who no longer maintain employment and instead receive social service benefits,” she explained.

“It is time to invest fully in the mental well-being of our citizens so they may turn their stories to ones of success for themselves and for New Jersey’s bottom line,” Dr. Wentz stressed.

Click here to view the Untold Stories campaign.