Requires Commissioner of Human Services to establish 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline and develop hotline connection system to ensure that callers are connected to other appropriate hotlines when needed.
Impact
The implementation of S1088 will broaden access to mental health resources throughout New Jersey, addressing the rising need for mental health support in the community. It seeks to enhance the state's mental health infrastructure by facilitating a more efficient response system for individuals in crisis. The hotline's operation will also prioritize direct assistance for urgent situations, particularly those involving potential suicide, emphasizing the importance of a warm hand-off to emergency mental health services, such as the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline.
Summary
Senate Bill S1088 mandates the establishment of a 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline overseen by the Commissioner of Human Services in New Jersey. The hotline is aimed at assisting individuals experiencing non-emergency mental health issues or crises and is to be staffed by qualified mental health professionals, including licensed counselors and psychologists. A crucial element of the hotline's operation is to ensure that callers are connected to appropriate mental health resources or support services, which may include local community programs, health services, and other resources tailored to the caller's needs.
Contention
While the bill is largely viewed as a positive step toward addressing mental health needs, there may be some contention surrounding its funding and execution. Concerns could be raised about the adequacy of resources allocated for the hotline's sustainability, as well as its ability to meet diverse language and cultural needs. Additionally, the requirement for a public awareness campaign to effectively inform the community about the hotline’s existence, especially targeting children and young adults, may present challenges in reaching and engaging the intended audience. Ensuring that staffing reflects diverse backgrounds and language capabilities will also be crucial to its success.
Same As
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to establish 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline and develop hotline connection system to ensure that callers are connected to other appropriate hotlines when needed.
Carry Over
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to establish 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline and develop hotline connection system to ensure that callers are connected to other appropriate hotlines when needed.
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to establish 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline and develop hotline connection system to ensure that callers are connected to other appropriate hotlines when needed.
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to establish 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline and develop hotline connection system to ensure that callers are connected to other appropriate hotlines when needed.
Allows follow up communication from operators of telephone number for mental health and suicide crisis resources or 9-8-8 crisis hotline to minors at risk of committing suicide.
Requires DHS to establish five-year pilot program to facilitate coordinated provision of systemic, therapeutic, assessment, resource, and treatment (START) services to adults who have both developmental disabilities and mental illness.
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to establish 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline and develop hotline connection system to ensure that callers are connected to other appropriate hotlines when needed.
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to establish 24-hour, toll-free Mental Illness Resource Hotline and develop hotline connection system to ensure that callers are connected to other appropriate hotlines when needed.
Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.
Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.
Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.
Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.