In Episode Seven of PLAN|NJ’s podcast series, host Ellen Nalven and co-host Jason Miller engage with Joyce Benz and Michael to discuss essential mental health services in New Jersey. This conversation highlights the power of family support, community resources, and personal resilience in mental health recovery.
Key Takeaways
Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS):
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- IFSS offers free support, education, and advocacy for families of adults with persistent mental health challenges.
- Available in every county in New Jersey, IFSS provides flexible support ranging from individual guidance to support groups, including groups specifically for adult siblings.
Navigating the Mental Health System:
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- The mental health service system in New Jersey is fragmented, making awareness and guidance crucial. IFSS serves as a roadmap, helping families access the right services.
- Early planning is key—getting on waiting lists for affordable housing and connecting with case management services can significantly impact recovery outcomes.
The Power of Lived Experience:
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- Michael’s story underscores the value of sharing personal experiences to reduce stigma and foster understanding.
- His involvement in volunteer work, social justice organizations, and support groups demonstrates how community engagement supports mental health recovery.
New Initiatives in New Jersey:
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- Early Intervention Support Services (EISS): A walk-in mental health urgent care model now available in all counties.
- Arrive Together Program: A progressive initiative where plainclothes police officers and mental health clinicians work together to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with services.
Housing Challenges:
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- Affordable housing remains a significant barrier. Programs like Supportive Housing and Section 8 vouchers are essential but require proactive planning.
- Joyce emphasizes the need for persistent advocacy and community support to secure safe and stable housing for individuals with mental health conditions.
This episode emphasizes the importance of accessible mental health services, family support, and community connections in fostering recovery. Through powerful stories and practical insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how New Jersey’s mental health support system can be navigated and improved.
Join us for this and future episodes which aim to advance advocacy for meaningful change in the world of disability support. Please share with friends, loved ones and colleagues! We are on a mission to educate and empower, and your engagement can make a significant impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
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CIRCLE OF SUPPORT
our story
"A Talk With Families"
The stories of three families with loved ones who have disabilities and who use PLAN|NJ's trust administration and care coordination services are told through interviews conducted in their homes by Executive Director Ellen Nalven.
GET IN TOUCH
Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey PLAN|NJ
PO Box 547
Somerville, NJ 08876-0547
908-575-8300 (Phone)
908-927-9010 (Fax)
info@plannj.org
PROUD MEMBERS OF:
Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities
Association of People Supporting Employment First
Alliance for Pooled Trusts
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Guardianship Association
National PLAN Alliance
Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
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PLAN|NJ = Lifetime Advocacy for People with Disabilities
OUR MISSION
PLAN|NJ’s mission is to help family members of people with disabilities answer the question:
“Who will care for my loved one when I'm gone?”
We coordinate the supports needed by individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, and challenges with mental health, including people with autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, severe mental illness and more.
Spanish Translation
Si usted habla español y quisiera mas información sobre nuestros servicios o si desea una consulta con PLAN\NJ, por favor comuníquese con
Nancy Dilliplane, Director of Trust Services, para asistencia bilingüe: 908-575-8300, extensión 15
nancy.dilliplane@plannj.org
