Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton’s Post

In recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton and The Municipality of Princeton hoisted a bright green flag today at 1 Monument Drive, reinforcing the message that no one needs to manage mental health challenges alone. “The act of raising a flag serves as a reminder that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being,” said Catholic Charities’ Chief Nurse Executive Dr. Lisa Merritt, “and we all need to be active participants in reducing the stigma around behavioral health conditions.” "Mental Health Awareness Month is of vital importance to communities everywhere. It reminds us of the ever-present stigma surrounding mental health and the challenges of mental health treatment that continue to impact individuals, families, and diverse communities here in Princeton and New Jersey,” said Mark Freda, Mayor of the Municipality of Princeton. “We're proud to support this initiative with the raising of a flag in partnership with Princeton Integrated Behavioral Health (PIBH), an organization that recently teamed up with our Health and Community Services Department to provide Princeton residents an increased range of robust substance use and mental health services at a significantly reduced cost to the Municipality. By leveraging the Certified Community Behavioral Health Model, this partnership with PIBH has integrated and connected Princeton residents with a larger network of county, state, and federal services. We look forward to working with PIBH to expand our services so more people in Princeton can access the support they need," he added. The ceremony included remarks from NJAMHAA's Vice President of Public Affairs and Member Services Shauna Moses. Additionally, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) Director of Community Health Julie DeSimone attended the event and presented Mayor Mark Freda with a plaque celebrating the Municipality’s status as a Healthy Town. For more information on behavioral health services available through Catholic Charities, visit: https://lnkd.in/eEGQrfD #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #CatholicCharitiesTrenton

Our Medical and Behavioral Health Services teams offer sincere gratitude to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.) for donating 24 down coats for individuals who are served in our Mercer County programs. Manager Michelle Haigney (left) and Account Manager Sean Sweeney (right) presented the warm weather gear to Chief Nurse Executive Dr. Lisa Merritt and Associate Director of Nursing Melissa Vickers.  Thank you!! @CompaniesThatCare @CatholicCharitiesTrenton @WeLoveOurParnters

Please join our Associate Executive Director Susan Loughery for a groundbreaking panel discussion, “Transforming Mental Health Care with Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics,” on Friday, December 15th from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST via Zoom. She will be joined by Heidi Christensen Public Affairs Specialist at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to explore the innovative model of CCBHCs and their significant impact on mental health and substance use treatment across the nation. Catholic Charities was one of the first organizations in New Jersey selected as a CCBHC provider in 2017. Susan will discuss how these clinics offer comprehensive behavioral health care services and also serve as a crucial coordination point for physical health care, and social services. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e-qfxRF8 Download more information here: https://lnkd.in/e4E-ZXts #StakeholderHealth #CCBHC #MentalHealth #SUDSolution #MentalHealthMatters #CatholicCharitiesTrenton

Our Providence House team ended Domestic Violence Awareness Month on a high note today with some very important guests at the Burlington County safe house. We were pleased to welcome U.S. Congressman Andy Kim, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families Christine Norbut Beyer, Burlington County Commissioner Daniel O’Connell, Burlington County Human Services Director Shiria Simpson, Burlington County Human Services Deputy Director Malikah Morris, Burlington County Community Development and Housing Division Head Jennifer Hiros and Supervisor of the Victim Witness Unit of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Amy Congdon. Our esteemed guests met with the Domestic Violence Services team and toured the safe house facility. They learned about some of the challenges facing survivors of domestic abuse.  Read more about the visit here: https://lnkd.in/eAMVu2Ew Providence House Domestic Violence Services seeks to end the cycle of domestic abuse through education, empowerment and advocacy while providing a safe haven from abuse. Services are FREE.  If you or someone you know needs help, call our 24-hour hotline. In Ocean County call 800-246-8910. In Burlington County call 609-871-7551. #WeLoveOurSupporters #EndDomesticViolence #ProvidenceHouse #CatholicCharitiesTrenton

On Wednesday, October 4th at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The backup testing date is October 11th. All consumer cell phones will receive the alert. WEAs have a unique tone and vibration; both are repeated twice.  To ensure a phone does not sound during the alert, the device needs to be turned off.  Please know the alert will activate when the phone is turned on again. Please share this post widely. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, help is available. In Burlington and Ocean counties, Providence House Domestic Violence Services provides help with safety plans, safe house accommodations, specialized counseling and legal advocacy to survivors of domestic abuse. In Burlington County call 1-877-871-7551 or 609-871-7551. In Ocean County call 800-246-8910 or 732-244-8259. To reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). 

We would like to thank our Angel of Faith Sponsors for their support of our 34th Annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance. Proceeds from this signature fundraiser allow us to provide food, clothing, housing assistance, behavioral health services and shelter to survivors of domestic abuse.  Thank you Archer & Greiner, P.C., Capital Health (US) and Rapps Pharmacy! Visit https://lnkd.in/gsgFg62J for tickets or more information.

Congratulations to Dr. Eric Schwartz, who will be recognized as our Corporate Citizen of the Year during the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance on Thursday, September 21st at The Merion in Cinnaminson. Dr. Schwartz, executive director of Capital Health (US)'s Institute for Urban Care, has demonstrated his commitment to improving health care services for residents of the Trenton area by creating programs that serve the unique needs of the community. There is still time to reserve your tickets for this exciting event or become a sponsor. Visit https://lnkd.in/gsgFg62J to get started. We would also like to recognize our Angel of Light Sponsor Reilly Financial Group for its continued support. We could not achieve our mission without your help! To learn more about Dr. Schwartz and all the evening’s honorees, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gy9eib_A #GADD #GuardianAngelDinnerDance #WeLoveOurSupporters  

Thank you to our Angel of Hope Sponsors NJM Insurance Group and Bank of America Merrill Lynch for supporting this year’s Guardian Angel Dinner Dance on Thursday, September 21st. Each year, the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance raises critical funds to help us provide food and shelter to those in need, treatment for individuals with behavioral health and substance use disorder issues and safe lodging and counseling to families fleeing domestic abuse. For more information about how you can become a sponsor for this event or purchase tickets, visit: https://lnkd.in/eRQysnfn #CompaniesThatCare #CommunitySupport #Philanthropy