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Summer 2026: VIDEO Podcast -- Work Burnout, BIPOC Mental Health Month, Two Voices on BIPOC Mental Health, Back to School Preview, Free Training
| | Hot Topics in Mental Health Podcast | | |
Getting Ahead of Burnout at Work
In this episode of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Podcast, Hot Topics in Mental Health, guest host Isabelle “Belle” Nicholas — Miss New Jersey 2025, clinical psychology graduate student at Widener University, and founder of "Shout Our Struggle" speaks with Whitney Hendrickson, LSW, Trainer Coordinator for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's (MHANJ's) Career Connection Employment Resource Institute. Whitney shares insights on how to recognize work burnout in its early stages and inspirational strategies on how to cope. Click the arrow above to watch the video podcast, or click below for audio version.
| | The Power of Talking:
Two Voices on BIPOC Mental Health | |
Silence and stigma kept them from seeking help. Conversation, support and
a willingness to break generational patterns helped them move forward.
Editor's Note: The name of the interviewee in recovery has been changed to protect his privacy and only a first name will be mentioned in this article.
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While we celebrate BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Mental Health Month in July, it’s important to always remember that people living with mental health challenges face stigma every single day, year-round. Mental illness affects people of all races, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, many people in BIPOC communities face additional challenges, including barriers to accessing mental health care and stigma within their own cultures.
In this article, we hear from two representatives from BIPOC communities: Parantap Pandya, MA, Family Crises Coordinator & Community Educator for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) in Union County’s Intensive Family Support Services; and Carlos, a person who is in recovery from mental health conditions.
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When Silence Becomes the Custom
Growing up, both men learned the same lesson in different ways: keep your struggles to yourself.
Parantap explained that in the South Asian culture, traditionally, men, especially, are expected to maintain the persona that they are “in charge” and everything is fine. "Many tend to downplay mental health issues because they want to appear to be competent, in control and to show the world that they are doing fine,” he said. He shared that mental health challenges are often viewed as a shameful reflection of the entire family.
Carlos described a similar sense in the Latino community. He observed that, "Traditionally, many Spanish people don't seem to recognize mental health as a health issue, and people don’t often deal with it.” If something doesn’t seem “right,” it isn’t discussed. Continued...
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July is BIPOC
Mental Health Month
Each July, MHANJ joins Mental Health America and others across the U.S. in recognizing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Mental Health Month, also known as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Named in honor of teacher, author, advocate, and journalist Bebe Moore Campbell, this month is a time to focus on the unique strengths and mental health challenges that members of BIPOC communities face. Click here for more BIPOC Mental Health Month information and downloadable material.
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MHANJ is deeply concerned that the $35 million needed to operate five Crisis Receiving Stabilization Centers was not included in New Jersey's final State Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. Without this funding, a critical piece of New Jersey's 988 Continuum of Care remains incomplete, putting these life-saving centers at risk of further delays—or preventing them from opening altogether.
The Crisis Receiving Stabilization Centers are designed to provide up to 24 hours of counseling, peer support, clinical care, and medication management in a welcoming, non-clinical setting for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, regardless of their ability to pay.
We encourage you to contact Governor Sherrill by calling 1+(609)292-6000
or online at: https://www-njlib.nj.gov/GOV_TRANS.../BTCustomServlet
and urge her to support funding for these vital centers. Every voice can help move New Jersey closer to completing its 988 crisis response system and ensuring people in crisis have access to the care they need.
| | Summer Mental Health Awareness | | |
Extreme heat doesn't just impact your body—it can also take a toll on your mental well-being. Hot weather may increase stress, anxiety, and irritability, and it can make existing mental health conditions more difficult to manage. If you or someone you know needs emotional support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or call 866-202-HELP (4357) to reach NJ MentalHealthCares.
More Information and Resources Regarding Heat and Behavioral Health
Check out the message below from NJ Department of Human Services' Steve Crimando, entitled "Extreme Heat and the Impact on Mental Health." NJ.Gov toolkits are also available: Click here for information in English; click here for information in Spanish.
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Most kids may dread it...most parents may be counting down the days...whatever your perspective, back to school time is inevitable! Are your children or teens over-committed during the school year? Do they worry about fitting in or being bullied? We are pleased to share some resources that can help you prepare for some common mental health challenges that students and parents or caregivers may experience.
For articles on specific topics check out the links below, or click here to visit the home page for Back to School and Mental Health.
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For Parents and Caregivers
| | Congratulations are in Order | | |
United by Wellness Celebrates
Fifth Anniversary
Congratulations to United by Wellness (UBW) upon their fifth anniversary! This program is a virtual wellness center sponsored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey where peers provide training on skills and tools for recovery to people living with mental health and/or substance use disorder. This is accomplished by providing no-cost support, education and advocacy in a safe and diverse community. Together, we embrace the uniqueness of our members and offer hope on their chosen path toward recovery. There is no cost to participate!
Over 93.5% of survey respondents
Agree or Strongly Agree that a United by Wellness group
has helped them feel more positive about their future.
Kudos to Seth Edwards, UBW Coordinator, the founders and leaders for the UBW Center, including Carolyn Quinn, MHANJ in Atlantic County's Community Engagement and Wellness Programs Director; Victoria Phillips, MHANJ in Atlantic County's Executive Director; Michelle Price, Director of MHANJ in Ocean County; and Robert Kley, MHANJ's Vice President and COO. Thank you and congratulations to all of the compassionate peer group facilitators who run more than 60 virtual groups per week, addressing a vast array of topics!
Pictured above: (left to right) MHANJ in Atlantic County are shown participating in one of the celebration activities, including (left to right) Josh Matz, Andrew Lynch, Ashleigh Zappala, Emily McCall, Carolyn Quinn, Lizzette Solano-Paz and Karen Williams.
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Mental Health First Aid Training Marks a Milestone
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) recently reached an exciting milestone, celebrating its five millionth certified Mental Health First Aider in the United States. Originally developed in Australia in 2001, the program was introduced in the U.S. in 2008, to help people with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges.
Since launching MHFA in New Jersey in 2013, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) and its affiliated instructors have trained more than 67,000 adults and youth statewide. Through a four-year partnership with New Jersey high schools, another 24,000 teens completed the program.
MHANJ was among the first organizations in New Jersey to offer MHFA, working alongside affiliates and community partners to expand access to this life-changing training. In 2017, the National Council for Behavioral Health recognized MHANJ as its Mental Health First Aid Advocacy Program of the Year.
Thanks are extended to Ruth Kaluski, instructor and MHANJ's Statewide Director Strategic Programs and Mental Health First Aid and Jaime Angelini, instructor and Statewide Director of Suicide Prevention, Crisis Response and Special Projects and to the many dedicated instructors—past and present—whose passion has helped make MHFA one of MHANJ's most significant and lasting contributions. Together, we are informed communities, and we're just getting started.
| Pictured above: (left to right) Ruth Kaluski, and Jaime Angelini pose with Algee, the Mental Health First Aid mascot. | | |
MHANJ Consumer Connections Presents at WEAVE Conference
On July 9th, (pictured right) Eve Ellsworth, Peer Workforce Coordinator for MHANJ's Consumer Connections presented on "LGBTQIA+ 101, Co-Occurring Disorders and Peer Support" at the WEAVE Recovery Conference hosted by the New Jersey Coalition for Addiction Recovery Support (NJ-CARS) and Garden State Equality. Centering LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled, and justice-impacted voices, The WEAVE Conference aims to highlight culturally-responsive, peer-led recovery support by bringing together lived experience, practice, and leadership.
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