Mental Health Association

09/08/2026

Whatever your reason, you don’t have to face it alone.

Today, September 8, is , a day to raise awareness about the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline and remind our communities that support is available 24/7.

Your reason for reaching out doesn’t have to be a crisis. It could be feeling overwhelmed, struggling with loneliness, facing a difficult moment, or simply needing someone to talk to. Your reason is reason enough.

Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, anytime, day or night.

Save 988. Share 988. Check in with someone you care about. You never know when three numbers could make a difference.

09/07/2026

It's ***dePreventionAwarenessWeek.

Knowing the warning signs can help us recognize when someone may be struggling.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors don’t always look the way we expect. A person may seem withdrawn, overwhelmed, hopeless, or simply different from how they normally act.

Some warning signs to pay attention to include:

• Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, or like a burden
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
• Extreme mood changes or increased anxiety or agitation
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye to people
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Talking about death or su***de

One sign doesn’t necessarily mean someone is suicidal, but a noticeable change in behavior is worth paying attention to.

If you’re concerned about someone, reach out. Ask how they’re doing, listen without judgment, and help connect them with support. You don’t have to have the perfect words, you just have to be willing to start the conversation.

📞 If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

09/05/2026

Join us in October for our Legislative Breakfasts in Essex and Morris County!

The Annual Legislative Breakfasts represents an opportunity to initiate dialogue with state, county and local representatives regarding issues of concern to the mental health community.

Through the Annual Legislative Breakfasts, the Essex and Morris County Mental Health and Addiction Coalition advocates for society’s most vulnerable individuals, demonstrating a strong commitment to driving meaningful and lasting change in the mental health system.

Essex County Legislative Breakfast
🗓️ Friday, October 2, 2026
📍 Wilshire Grand, West Orange, NJ
Guest Speaker: Jennifer Egan, Author of “The Candy House”

Morris County Legislative Breakfast
🗓️ Friday, October 9, 2026📍 Park Avenue Club, Florham Park, NJ
Guest Speakers: Dr. Jeffrey Brenner, M.D., CEO of The Jewish Board, & Michelle Borden, LCSW, CEO of NewBridge Services

Join us so that your voice, too, can be heard, your priorities can be addressed, and your opinions can be made to count!

🔗 Learn more & register: https://www.mhainspire.org/legislative-breakfasts/

09/04/2026

Our Su***de Prevention team will be in attendance at this event on September 10 with resources!

This conversation matters. This community matters,and you matter.
We invite you to join us for our Su***de Awareness & Prevention Workshop.
A vital space where individuals with lived experiences, families, teens, professionals, educators, and community leaders come together to learn, support, and take action.
Your presence can make a difference.
Let’s show up for one another, raise awareness, and build a stronger, safer community.
Nothing happens without you!!!

09/03/2026

Raising awareness. Supporting recovery.

As part of Addiction Awareness and Recovery Month, we’re looking back at Morris County’s Overdose Awareness Day, where our Substance Use Recovery and Empowerment (SURE) program joined community partners, like the Morris County Sheriff's Office Hope One Van, in honoring the lives lost to substance use and fentanyl poisoning.

The event served as an important reminder of the impact addiction has on individuals, families, and communities, and the importance of coming together to reduce stigma and connect people with support.

This September, we’re proud to stand with individuals and families on their recovery journeys and continue working toward a community where everyone has the opportunity to heal, recover, and thrive.

Learn more about MHA’s SURE program and the support available for those impacted by substance use: https://www.mhainspire.org/substance-use-disorder/

Senator Anthony M. Bucco

09/02/2026

Last week, Congressman Tom Kean Jr. brought together first responders, medical professionals, nonprofit leaders, local officials, and community members for an important conversation about preventing the misuse of nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide, sometimes known as “laughing gas” or Galaxy Gas, is far from harmless. Misuse can have serious and potentially deadly health consequences, particularly for young people.

Our CEO Robert N. Davison joined the roundtable to share the importance of raising awareness and limiting access to these dangerous products: “Congressman Kean is right to raise this important public health issue. Nitrous Oxide abuse is a serious problem, impacting many families and most of all, young people. Limiting its access and raising awareness about its negative and potentially deadly effects are important first steps in this important conversation.”

Congressman Kean’s bipartisan MANNARINO Act aims to address recreational access to nitrous oxide and prevent future tragedies.

MHA is proud to be part of conversations that bring education, prevention, and community action to the forefront of public health.

09/01/2026

September is ***dePreventionAwarenessMonth.

If you’re worried about someone who may be struggling, you don’t need to have all the right words. Sometimes, prevention starts with something as simple as reaching out and letting someone know you’re there.

Reach out. Listen. Seek help. A conversation can open the door to support, connection, and hope.

Throughout September, we’ll be sharing information and resources to help our community recognize the signs, start the conversation, and support one another.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of su***de, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

08/31/2026

Today is .

We remember those we’ve lost, stand with those impacted by overdose, and raise awareness about the importance of prevention, education, and support.

Awareness is the first step to prevention. Together, we can reduce stigma, share lifesaving resources, and remind our communities that help is available.

08/28/2026

Over the past few months, MHA has had the opportunity to welcome elected officials and community partners, participate in local events, advocate for the individuals and families we serve, and come together as a team in support of mental health and wellness.

From Congresswoman LaMonica McIver’s visit to our West Orange location, to National Night Out events and the Montclair Run, each experience reinforced the importance of strong community partnerships and accessible support.

We’re proud of the work our team continues to do, and grateful to everyone who helps us move our mission forward.

Take a look back at Summer 2026 @ MHA:

Summer 2026 has been a season of connection, collaboration, and community engagement at MHA. From welcoming elected officials and community partners to participating in local events and coming together to […]

08/27/2026

MHA is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of the countywide expansion of ARRIVE Together in Morris County, a partnership bringing mental health professionals and law enforcement together to respond to residents experiencing mental and behavioral health crises.

Since its expansion, Morris County has recorded 3,669 ARRIVE interactions, the most of any county in New Jersey.

From de-escalating crisis situations to connecting individuals and families with ongoing care and community resources, ARRIVE Together is helping create a more compassionate, coordinated response when people need it most.

“The ARRIVE program is essential to the public safety and the mental well-being of Morris County residents,” says MHA CEO Robert Davison. “We work together, we respond together and we deal with cases on a case-by-case basis. We get people where they need to go, provide the services they need and give them an opportunity to recover."

We’re grateful to our clinicians, law enforcement partners, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Government, Morris County Sheriff's Office Sheriff James M. Gannon, and everyone who continues to make this innovative program possible.

To learn more about ARRIVE, visit: https://www.mhainspire.org/co-response-program/