NJAMHAA Press Conference Illustrates Value of Services for People and Economy

NJAMHAA Press Conference Illustrates Value of Services for People and Economy

Earlier today, NJAMHAA held a press conference to illustrate the profound impact that member providers' services have not only on the lives of children and adults throughout New Jersey, but also on the state's bottom line through direct economic contributions and by saving billions of dollars through prevented high-cost medical services. Attendees included media representatives from the New Jersey affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, NJTV News and WBGO radio; and staff from NJAMHAA member agencies All Access Mental Health, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus and Rescue Mission of Trenton.

"We know our member providers save lives and nothing is more important. We hear success stories every day," said Debra Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA. "In advocacy, both qualitative and quantitative evidence is critical for making a compelling case to preserve funding - and, when possible, increase it - for community based services. To gain quantitative data of NJAMHAA members' economic impact, NJAMHAA commissioned an economic study from Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. We took a point in time snapshot to see the impact, and it is substantial, even by these conservative estimates. The findings of this research were published in a report, entitled The Economic Contribution of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Industry to the New Jersey Economy." Click here to read this report.

"Our industry is not just significant to the overall good mental health and wellbeing of our communities, but we are also vitally important economically," said Jim Cooney, MSW, LCSW,Former President and Member of the NJAMHAA Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Mental Health Services, Inc.

"In the late 1960's, when the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and De-institutionalization movement was just beginning to be implemented, New Jersey supported six state psychiatric hospitals, which housed more than 20,000 patients. Today, New Jersey operates just four psychiatric hospitals, which care for less than 1700 patients. At a cost of more than $250,000 per bed per year, can you imagine the impact on our state budget for the cost of care for these patients without our CMHC's?"

The Rutgers report quantifies community mental health and substance use service providers' direct contributions to the state's economy with the following figures: nearly 52,000 direct jobs paying a total of more than $1.6 billion in payroll each year; approximately 9,000 indirect jobs; $3.2 billion in gross domestic product purchases; and $242.3 million in state and local government taxes and fees.

However, "there are financial benefits that cannot be measured," Cooney said. "Quality behavioral health services alleviate depression and anxiety and reduce drug addiction, which help people return to work or school and reduce work time lost due to chronic absences. And the impact on the community: We make our communities better, happier, safer places to live."

James Morris from Rescue Mission of Trenton gave the most compelling illustration of the impact of services. He shared his experience of having been homeless and suffering with a drug addiction and, after only 21 months at the Rescue Mission, being successfully treated for the addiction, becoming gainfully employed, earned his GED and is pursuing higher education. Morris supervises housing and facilitates Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups.

"One day when I was panhandling, the Rescue Mission CEO came by and said, 'Come home to the Rescue Mission.' Since that day, I've never looked back," Morris said. "I'm truly blessed to be able to give back. My plans are to continue working at the Rescue Mission. There is so much more to be done, so much more is needed."

Please click here to view NJTV News' coverage of the press conference.

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