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Mental Health and Wellness Resources- Scotch Plains Cares

Scotch Plains is working towards ending mental health stigma by keeping our community aware and educated. The stigmatization of mental health issues is fueled by a lack of understanding about what mental health really is and how we can support our mental health. 

Especially since the Pandemic, mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, have increased largely and are still prevalent in our community. We want people to be open about their mental wellbeing and reach out for help, without the fear of being stigmatized. Creating a culture where individuals do not have to suffer in silence is extremely important to us.

Throughout this new page, we hope to provide our residents with a wide range of helpful resources.

Feel free to use this page to stay educated, find resources and get connected with support surrounding your specific needs. As residents, we want you to use this website as an easy place to seek help and/or advice. We want to continue making Scotch Plains a safe and comfortable community.

STAYING EDUCATED

What is Mental Health?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It impacts how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

There are many factors that impact mental health, including:

  • Biological factors, such as your genes, gender, or brain chemistry
  • Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
  • Family history of mental health issues.

Mental health challenges can be experienced on a wide scale and often change over the course of a person’s life.

Why must we pay attention to mental health?

To support the health and wellness of New Jersey communities, we must address whole health. This includes individual and community health. It means expanding how we think of health from just physical health to include mental health as well. It also requires us to acknowledge that one impacts the other. Chronic health issues can cause an individual to be more likely to develop mental health issues. Similarly, poor mental health can cause an individual to be more likely to develop other medical conditions.

How many people are affected by mental health issues?

Mental Health Issues in the Community According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

  • 20.6% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2019 (51.5 million people), representing 1 in 5 adults.
  • 5.2% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2019 (13.1 million people), representing 1 in 20 adults.
  • 16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people).
  • 3.8% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2019 (9.5 million people).

What are the most common mental health issues?

  • Depression: Causes feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities, can lead to physical health issues, and additional emotional problems. It also increases the risk of suicide significantly.
  • Anxiety: A common feeling that causes increased alertness, fear, and physical signs, such as a rapid heartbeat. Anxiety at any age can be described by high levels of distress, fear, and avoidance of feared situations or objects. If left untreated, it can cause real pain or distress to individuals.
  • Trauma: A shocking and dangerous event that someone sees or experiences. Some common examples include verbal, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, alcohol/drug exposure, poverty or divorce. Trauma can cause high levels of stress and interfere with one's daily life and lead to additional mental health illnesses.
  • Substance use disorder: They are problematic patterns of using substances that result in impairment in daily life or noticeable distress. Commonly misused substances include alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and cannabis. This can have harmful effects on mental health and can result in physical harm or injury, and either accidental death or suicide.

(Source: Mayors Wellness Campaign: Mental Health Toolkit- New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute) 

WHERE TO FIND HELP

Crisis Hotlines, Screening and Psychiatric Emergency Services

Volunteers and counselors are trained to answer the phones and help people in crisis. If you are feeling anxious, sad or stressed and don't know where to turn, you can call any one of these numbers. If they cannot meet your full needs, they will find someone to assist you.

Below are national and community specific hotlines and union country screening & psychiatric emergency services.

 If you feel like you or someone you know is in immediate danger, CALL 911.

Suicide and Mental Health Hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Hot Line (new #): 988

Crisis Text Line: Text “hello” to 741741 to get help entirely through text

*NJ Suicide Prevention- Hope Line: 1 (855) 654-6735

*Behavioral Health Information and Referral- NJ Mental Health Cares: 1 (866) 202-4357

Child, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Hotlines

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Text "START" to 88788 or call 1-800-799-7233

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: call or text 1-800-422-4453

RAINN: 1-800-656-4673

LGBTQIA+ Community Specific Hotline

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

Drug or Alcohol Abuse Hotlines

SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

*Substance Use Disorders-NJ Connect: 1 (855) 652-3737

Union County Primary Screening Service:

Trinitas Regional Medical Center

655 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

HOTLINE: (908) 994-7131

Union County Affiliated Emergency Services (AES):

Overlook Medical Center

99 Beauvoir Road, Summit, NJ 07901

HOTLINE: (201) 831-5078

Rahway Hospital

865 Stone Street, Rahway, NJ 07065

HOTLINE: (732) 381-4949 or (732) 499-6165

Feel free to share and print out as many copies as necessary. We encourage you to hang them wherever you feel it is appropriate; hang them around classrooms, the workplace, and community centers. Be the difference in your community.

Link to printable doc: CRISIS HOTLINES AND OTHER RESOURCES 2022

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Help

Refer to Alcoholics Anonymous website to quickly locate an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting in town or nearby and hop on the road to recovery.

https://sober.com/aa-meetings/new-jersey/scotch-plains/

AA meetings encourage members to fight alcoholism and actively assist members in staying sober. This is an anonymous, judgment free environment that is open to change and growth. 

Additionally, this website includes informative articles, list of rehabilitation centers, inspirational blogs and offers more help outside of AA meetings. They are here to help so certainly explore the website if you or someone you know falls into this category.

Find Someone to Talk to- Support Groups and Therapy:

If you are experiencing any mental health issues, it is important you reach out and find help. Whether that is reaching out to a friend or family member first or going to a therapist- there are unlimited options.

Please refer to Union County's Quick reference guide: Mental Health & Addiction Services in Union County for more information.

Mental Health Addiction Services in Union County

If you cannot find what you are looking for, find therapy or support groups easily on the website below.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Additional Scotch Plains Counseling Companies:

  • Calm Sense Therapy
  • Resolve Community Counseling Center
  • Brave Minds Psychological Services
  • Adult & Adol Counseling Services
  • Hellenic Therapy Center

County and State Resources

For additional mental health services, please refer to the Directory of Mental Health Services provided by the Department of Human Resources of New Jersey. Scroll down to page 58 to see the large list of services in Union County. 

https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/home/hotlines/MH_Dir_COMPLETE.pdf

Additional websites to check out…

https://nami.org/Home

https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/home/  

TIPS FOR PRACTICING MENTAL HEALTH AND MINDFULNESS

Websites to read…

  • Movement is extremely beneficial to the mind and emotional health. This article lists 9 reasons why we should get up and move more often. Read and share with a friend to encourage them to stay active. Movement and Your Mind
  • This Healthline article explains 15 ways to relieve stress and anxiety in your life. Simple changes to your daily routine can make a huge difference in how you act and feel. Try a few out! 15 Ways to Relieve Stress & Anxiety
  • The Website, Jar of Lemons, lists over 100 recipes you can make in 30 minutes or less. These recipes are healthy, fuel your body and leave you feeling good. Check out this article if you need some ideas for dinner that everyone will love. 100+ Quick Healthy Dinner Ideas
  • Ellevate shares tips towards being more mindful and improving your personal awareness. By reading this article, it offers ways to be more present and aware of your behaviors. Additionally, there are free apps online, like Headspace, which offers creative exercises to practice mindfulness in the comfort of your home. Be More Mindful: 7 Tips to Improve Your Awareness
  • This website breaks down how to support someone in your life struggling with mental health. Life can be challenging, so we all have to be there to support one another. Whether it is a significant other, family member, friend, colleague or someone you just happen to bump into, it's important we know how to address the situation. Read this article and share with people to stay educated and prepared. Supporting Someone with Mental Problem
  • This website explains all the do’s and the don'ts when dealing with someone who turns to you for advice or comfort regarding a mental health illness they might be facing. It is normal to not know exactly what to say at first, which is why it's important to read this article and better prepare. What to Say to the Person with Mental Illness