Across New Jersey, in too many households, in every community, there are untold stories of children, youth and adults with mental health and substance use disorders who cannot access the services they need. There are also the untold stories of the staff who provide those critical services who are currently carrying larger caseloads and more responsibilities due to a severe workforce shortage. They are facing their own mental health, financial and work/life balance challenges. This is especially true for those staff who must work multiple jobs just to get by, as the salaries in the behavioral health field are so inadequate.
As Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration move to begin developing the FY2026 budget, it is well known that New Jersey's revenues are down and difficult decisions lie ahead. Those decisions must weigh many competing needs. All are worthy, however, with the unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, other mental illnesses, suicides and overdoses that continue to adversely affect children, youth and adults across the state, mental health and substance use treatment and supports must be a top priority.
Individuals from all socio-economic, geographic and every other demographic category in our diverse state are facing mental health challenges. 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. 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.
The well-being of our citizens can only be achieved with behavioral healthcare funding as an essential investment in the FY2026 budget. Reimbursements for mental health and substance use treatment and support services have fallen well behind the actual costs of providing them. Additionally, major system changes -- namely, shifting service lines to Medicaid managed care -- are underway that are incurring new costs for new or expanded administrative tasks. These include contracting, credentialing, seeking prior authorizations and processing claims. There are infrastructure costs, as well.
Opinion: New Jersey is worthy of full investment in behavioral health care. This is why
Every reader is likely to know someone -- a family member, co-worker, neighbor or friend -- who needs services or is impacted by a loved one's mental illness or substance use or may themselves be in need of help. You are likely privy to some of the multitude of untold stories ... stories of the difficulty or impossibility of accessing timely, quality behavioral health care. A healthier, fairer New Jersey would prioritize meeting these needs. It is not only the right thing to do for the children, youth and adults of our state, but also a fiscally responsible one. 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.
Debra L. Wentz, Ph.D. is President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, a statewide trade association representing 164 organizational providers of services for more than 500,000 children and adults with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring disorders.