Children & Youth Resources
NAMI NJ Recommended Books on Mental Health and Mental Illness for K-12
GENERAL INFORMATION
www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/csc
Children’s System of Care serves children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral health care challenges and their families. CSOC is committed to providing these services based on the needs of the child and family in a family-centered, community-based environment.
Mobile Response and Stabilization Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help children and youth who are experiencing emotional or behavioral crises. The services are designed to defuse an immediate crisis, keep children and their families safe, and maintain the children in their own homes or current living situation (such as a foster home, treatment home or group home) in the community. To access services call: 1-877- 652-7624
PerformCare partners with the New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC) to coordinate the care of your child. We are committed to helping children with behavioral, mental health, or emotional challenges gain access to the services they need. Parents, family members, school employees, mental health providers and other professionals helping children and families can contact PerformCare on behalf of a youth in need of a referral. The parent or legal guardian of the child must still give consent for the child to receive services.
2NDFLOOR: Youth Helpline of New Jersey
2NDFLOOR is a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults. We are here to help you find solutions to the problems that you face and we are available 24/7 365 days a year.
The School Avoidance Alliance is dedicated to sharing best practice interventions, school avoidance facts, and resources. for helping kids with school avoidance get back to learning (school). Request a free copy of The Ultimate Guide To Working With Your School.
www.childmind.org
Dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere. The organization is committed to finding more effective treatments for childhood psychiatric and learning disorders, building the science of healthy brain development, and empowering children and their families with help, hope, and answers. The Child Mind Institute does not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry.
CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (CHADD)
www.chadd.org
CHADD is a national non-profit, tax-exempt (Section 501(c)(3)) organization providing education, advocacy and support for individuals with ADHD.
NATIONAL EATING DISORDER ASSOCIATION (NEDA)
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
THE LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF NJ (LDANJ)
www.ldanj.org
LDANJ, the state affiliate of LDA of America (LDAA), is a nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to providing information, support, and advocacy for children and adults with learning disabilities. Our members include individuals with learning disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
www.wrightslaw.com
Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys can find accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy tips
National Institute for People with Disabilities of NJ
With an emphasis on providing opportunities for individuals to live as independently as possible, NIPD/NJ offers supervised and supportive residential programs in New Jersey. Currently, the agency operates 10 supervised group homes, 10 supervised apartment programs, and one supportive apartment in Bergen County. The agency is also a Support Coordination agency in Sussex, Hudson, Essex, Somerset, and Warren counties. Other NIPD/NJ programs include: In-home respite services (DDD and DCF); Coffee House program, which provides recreational and social activities for adults; and a skill-building and support program for adults to work on their social skills.
NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome
NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders, Inc. (NJCTS) provide programs and services to support families, public outreach and awareness campaigns, and education for schools and healthcare professionals in NJ.
A non-profit organization, provides recovery-focused integrated primary and mental health care and substance abuse rehabilitation services, including children and family services.
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s NJMentalHealthCares Helpline offers free, anonymous online mental health screenings in cooperation with Mental Health America. Self-assessments are available for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as screens for youth and parents.
Additional websites for children and families with behavioral and mental health in Mercer county
PARENT RESOURCES
NAMI BASICS & NAMI BASICS ON DEMAND
NAMI Basics is a NAMI signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years. All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.
www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/support/support
Family Support Organizations (FSO’s) are family-run, county-based organizations that provide direct family-to-family peer support, education, advocacy and other services to family members of children with emotional and behavioral problems. To access services, you may call these organizations directly or call 1-877- 652-7624.
The vision was designed to create a system of care that focused on family strengths and community resources. A system of care is a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that are organized to meet the challenges of children and youth with complex behavioral, emotional and mental health needs. Families and youth work in partnership with public and private organizations to design an individualized plan that is effective and that builds on the strengths of individuals to address each person’s cultural and linguistic needs. The system of care assists youth and families work better to remain in their home, school, and own community.
STATEWIDE PARENT ADVOCACY NETWORK (SPAN)
The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network of New Jersey (SPAN) is a chapter of the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health (FFCMH). SPAN is a member of the New Jersey Alliance of Family Support Organizations (NJAFSO), the New Jersey State Organization for the FFCMH and the SAMHSA-funded Statewide Family Network for New Jersey. SPAN collaborates with NJFASO and county Family Support Organizations in providing information, training, technical assistance and support to families of children with behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges.
1-800-654-SPAN (7726)
www.mom2mom.us.com
A 24 hour, 7 day a week helpline coordinated by Rutgers-University Behavioral HealthCare. The helpline features peer support, telephone assessments, a network of referral services and support groups.
1-877-914-6662 (1-877-914-MOM2)
www.thebalancedmind.org
A project of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ptsd.html
FEDERATION FOR FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
www.ffcmh.org
A national family-run organization that assists children/adolescents with mental health needs. It offers training programs for family members.
FAMILIES FOR DEPRESSION AWARENESS
familyaware.org
Helps families recognize and cope with depressive disorders to get people well and prevent suicides.
www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0185-residential-treatment-programs-teens
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released the first-ever federal consumer guide to assist parents in choosing a safe residential treatment program for their children. The guide was issued as part of FTC’s investigation into the deceptive marketing practices of some residential treatment programs, which was requested by Rep. George Miller (D-CA).
www.siblingsupport.org
A national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns. Community-based peer support programs for young siblings; hosting workshops, listservs, and websites for young and adult siblings; and increasing parents’ and providers’ awareness of siblings’ unique, lifelong, and ever-changing concerns through workshops, websites, and written materials.
REACTIVE ATTACHMENT DISORDER:
THE CLAY CENTER FOR YOUNG HEALTHY MINDS
Founded in 2013, The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital is built on the belief that knowledge is power. To that end, The Clay Center aims to be a reliable and trusted source of information on how to understand and support the mental health and learning needs of young people, prevent hardships and develop coping strategies for those at risk of emotional distress. Its primary goals are to:
1. Enhance resilience, a person’s ability to maintain personal and social stability despite adversity.
2. Increase awareness of mental health and learning challenges and available treatments among parents, and those who work directly with young people.
3. Provide guidance around self-care, and when to seek help from a professional.
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Mental health resources for parents of adolescents and young adults
A list for parents and caregivers to know the warning signs/behaviors and what to look out for and how to support your child.
The Kids Guide is New Jersey’s only guidebook created especially for kids, teen and families. Kids’ Guide NJ is designed to inform and remind residents and visitors of New Jersey’s wealth of cultural, recreational and educational opportunities and to promote the many businesses and services dedicated to children, teens and families.
State of New Jersey Parent Link
Additional resources for parents with behavioral and mental health issues
CHILDREN/YOUTH RESOURCES
“Every Mind Matters” (EMM) is a mental illness education program of NAMI New Jersey targeted to children in Grades 5-9. This program is designed to teach children the importance of taking care of their mental health, as well as their physical health. EMM explains the meaning of stigma and how we can stamp out stigma related to persons with disabilities. The program also teaches about famous people who have made great contributions to our society, despite their disabilities.
www.strengthofus.org
An online community developed by NAMI and young adults that offers opportunities for connection and support.
www.Proud2Bme.org
Proud2BMe is an online community created by and for teens. We cover everything from fashion and beauty to news, culture, and entertainment—all with the goal of promoting positive body image and encouraging healthy attitudes about food and weight.
ok2talk.org
Creates a community for teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems and encourages them to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope.
PROFESSIONAL/EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Educating the Educators (ETE) is a program developed by NAMI New Jersey to enlighten/inform educators about mental illness and present practical tools to help motivate children with social and emotional disorders. Most children with these disorders are bright and creative. Many are gifted with extraordinary talents waiting to be explored. But they are often hindered by the exhaustion of the constant struggle to cope with the effects of their disorder.
www.parentsmedguide.org
This site includes fact sheets on the use of medications for treating depression in children and adolescents, advice on treatment plans, and advocacy tips. Also features a guide, “PhysiciansMedGuide,” for general practitioners on the use of medications for depression.
THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY (AACAP)
www.aacap.org
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading national professional medical association dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and families affected by these disorders. The AACAP developed Facts for Families to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.
NEW JERSEY PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (NJPA)
www.psychnj.org
The New Jersey Psychiatric Association is a professional organization of about 1,000 physicians qualified by training and experience in the treatment of mental illness. Founded in 1935, NJPA is a District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association and is the official voice of organized psychiatry in New Jersey. The Website has a physician locator.
P.O. Box 428
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Tel: 908-719-2222
Fax: 908-719-4747
Email: [email protected]
NJ Alliance of Family Support Organization
New Jersey’s Family Support Organizations are family-led, community-based, non-profit agencies whose mission is to provide support, advocacy, and education to families and caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs. The Alliance supports the Family Support Organizations through training, technical assistance, policy development, identification of best practices, data collection and resource development.
FIND YOUR LOCAL NAMI
