Fall Transitions

As the leaves turn from green to orange and brown and start to fall, many (like myself) naturally find ourselves adjusting to the changing season, cozying up to our blankets, likely with a book and warm drink in hand. Fall can be a season for introspection, for growth, for celebrating with our loved ones, for excitedly changing out our wardrobes, and for getting our costumes ready.

At the same time, fall can bring a mix of more difficult feelings. Some people may be grieving the loss of warmth and daylight, the loss of loved ones, or the sense of who they were before. Others may be feeling anxious about getting sick or prepping for the upcoming holidays that happen one after another. And some people may fall somewhere in between. Or, as for many, there may be a little bit of everything. You can love the changing colors and sweater weather while still needing to take extra steps to care for your mental health. Both can be true.

However you’re stepping into fall, you are allowed to feel a range of emotions. Your feelings, symptoms, and fears are exactly what many others are experiencing. As we inch into colder, darker days, let this be a reminder to check in with yourself and the people around you. Prioritize your mental health and give yourself permission to ask for help. And of course, you do not have to "love" the fall. You can dislike it, fear it, despise it, but you do not have to enter this season alone. 🍂

In this issue, we’ll take a look at what the NJ Self-Help Clearinghouse has been up to throughout the third quarter, from our trainings and outreach to the ways we continue to connect people with support groups and resources across New Jersey. Then, we'll take moment to recognize important September observances, including Recovery Month and National Suicide Prevention Month, and share resources and support groups that may be helpful to you or someone you know. Our goal, like always, is to offer plenty of resources to help people find connection.

The seasons may change, but the work we do stays the same! We continued to answer group requests, deliver trainings and workshops, and expand outreach.



Here's what we've been up to and what's coming up next:

Support Group Requests:



·      We answered over 130 support group requests, similar to last quarter! Requests for depression, anxiety, caregiver, and grief support groups continue to top the list of types of requests that we receive.

·      Morris County sent in the highest number of requests this quarter, with Middlesex County a close second, followed by Essex County! 🏆. Last quarter, Middlesex County sent in the most requests.

·      We received the least number of requests from Cape May County and Cumberland County, different from last quarter as well. Of course, there is no competition! We take these statistics into consideration as we plan for outreach throughout the state. This particular statistic comes at no surprise, as there continues to be a lack of support group resources in these areas as opposed to northern counties.

·      Every quarter, we get a few requests for group topics that are few and far between. This quarter, such groups included these topics: ehlers danlos syndrome, breakups, empty nests, and terminal cancers. Many also ask specifically for in-person groups, yet majority of support groups that happen across the state happen online.

·      We continue to see an increase in individuals directly contacting SHCH staff after being referred to by others, reflecting the value of word-of-mouth. If you've spread the word about the SHCH, thank you!

Trainings & Workshops:



The SHCH offered a wide range of trainings, workshops, and webinars focused on WRAP® , facilitation skills, etc.

·      In July, SHCH member Kelly U. , accompanied by facilitator Michael Leotis, facilitated an in-person WRAP® (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Seminar 1 for staff at Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center! Then, Kelly U. and facilitator Rev. Dominique-Faith Worthington led a 4-day virtual WRAP® Seminar 1 in August. This was followed by another virtual WRAP® Seminar 1 in September, facilitated by Megan M. and Consumer Connections' Eve Ellsworth. (No such thing as too much WRAP!)

·      We continued to deliver trainings and workshops as part of Consumer Connections’ Wednesday Webinar Series, which included a SHCH Overview (Megan M.), a PADs Training (Kelly U.), and How to Start a Support Group (Kelly U.). Kelly U. and CC's Eve E. provided a 2-part WRAP® for Peer Supporters webinar as well, which explored ways for peer supporters to take care of themselves while helping others.

·      In an effort to bring WRAP® to more places, Kelly U. also delivered a webinar designed to look at WRAP® from an organizational perspective. Titled, "The Power of WRAP® Evidence. Impact. Implementation," this webinar gathered leaders, administrators, program directors, supervisors, etc., interested in understanding the wellness recovery action plan, how it can be implemented in their respective organizations, and how to become facilitators.

·      SHCH continued to deliver trainings and webinars for established and aspiring support group facilitators as part of the BRIDGE series (see flyer below). This quarter, webinars included:Conflict in Peer Groups: When Tension Shows Up in the Group; Balancing Disclosure and Boundaries in Self-Help Support Groups; and Themed Support Groups: Structuring Meetings Around Weekly Topics. The BRIDGE series is currently on pause, but will continue in the next couple of weeks!

Be sure to check out the What's Next? section for more info.

Community Outreach:



Here's how we continued to form connections within the community:

·      Ocean County Libraries: Libraries are an important community resource and a place where people can find information and connection. Megan M. connected with local libraries in Ocean County, sharing SHCH resources with front desk staff and leaving a few resources for them to add to their community boards! While speaking with the library staff, a few of them were interested in keeping in touch so that the SHCH and the libraries can keep each other informed. (shown below)



·      NJPN 10th Annual Peer Recovery Support Summit 2026 : On September 18, the NJ Self-Help Clearinghouse and Consumer Connections team attended the 10th Annual New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN) Peer Recovery Support Summit at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. This year’s theme, A Decade of Impact: Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future, celebrated ten years of peer recovery support while looking toward the future of the field. Megan M. and Consumer Connections' administrative assistant, Emily Kurc, tabled at the event, sharing information about each program while connecting with both new and familiar faces. The rest of the team were in attendance, attending workshops and visiting other tables! The summit featured keynote speakers, interactive workshops, recovery-oriented activities, and opportunities for those in the peer recovery support field to learn, connect, and share ideas. We’re grateful to NJPN for another successful summit and for creating such a welcoming space to build connections! 😊(shown below) 

If you have events coming up and would like speakers or vendors, let us know! Send an email to njgroups@mhanj.org.

Here are additional webinars to consider, as part of Consumer Connections’ Wednesday Webinars:

·      Holiday WRAP ( October 21 | 10am-2pm) Television, movies, music and social media often portray the holiday season as a time of laughter, the gathering of friends and family, and limitless gift giving and receiving. Although the holiday season can be a time of joy and happiness for many people, for some, this time of the year can bring about unwanted or difficult feelings. This may be due to the anticipation of loneliness and disappointments that may come and reminders of past hurts. Join us to discuss how you can create or update your WRAP to help stay well this holiday season!

·      Navigating Conflict: Strategies for Harmony in Self-Help Support Groups (November 4 | 10am-12pm) Join us for an insightful exploration into Conflict Resolution within the dynamic setting of self-help support groups. Whether you're a facilitator, a member, or simply curious about fostering positive interactions in group settings, this event offers invaluable tools and perspectives to navigate challenging situations with grace and efficacy.

Click on the button below to reserve a spot on Consumer Connections' Eventbrite page!

The SHCH will be presenting at the LGBTQ+ and Aging event, hosted by Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services! This is a free community event designed for county residents, professionals, allies, and anyone interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ and Aging topics. The event takes place on October 23rd from 10am-1pm at the Middlesex College. (flyer below)

Registration is highly encouraged. Registration closes on Friday, October 16 at 4:15 PM. To register, click the button below.

·    (ON SALE OCT 5 AT 12:00PM) Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) Workshop – Seminar 1 (December 2 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 10am-2:30pm) In this online workshop, participants learn how to develop personal life and wellness goals as they engage in a mutual learning model with other peers. WRAP Seminar I introduces participants to the Values and Ethics of WRAP and the five Key Concepts; guides them in creating a personal WRAP; and, for those who are interested, starts them on the path to becoming a certified WRAP Facilitator.

This workshop takes place over the course of FOUR sessions. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.

Please note: WRAP workshops are provided under a contract from NJ DMHAS. In order to participate in these free workshops, participants must:

• Reside in New Jersey
• Either identify as a peer OR be a support group leader

·    (IN-PERSON IN LINCROFT, NJ) Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) Workshop – Seminar 2 (November 30 - December 3 | 8:30am-5pm) WRAP® Seminar II: Facilitator Training is an interactive, experiential training designed for individuals who have completed WRAP® Seminar I and are ready to develop the skills needed to facilitate WRAP® Seminar I groups and workshops.

Throughout this training, participants will deepen their understanding of WRAP values and ethics while building practical facilitation skills through discussion, activities, practice, and shared learning. Participants will explore how to create inclusive, voluntary, and empowering learning environments that honor each person's experience, voice, and right to self-determination.

Please note: Prerequisite: Participants must have successfully completed WRAP® Seminar I prior to attending Seminar II.

Payment details, exact location, and further instructions are listed in the Eventbrite Page.

Click the button below for the WRAP at MHANJ Eventbrite page and for more information!

National Suicide Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention, reduce stigma around mental health, recognize the warning signs, and to remind people that support is always available. It is also a time to grieve the loss of our loved ones and to support the people grieving losses of their own. Opening up the conversation can be so difficult, but there are actions, both big and small, we can all take to start the conversation and keep it going. Beyond this month, we want to continue creating spaces where people feel comfortable talking about their mental health.

• Samaritans - Samaritans SafePlace meetings are caring suicide grief support groups facilitated by trained volunteers who have also lost a loved one to suicide. SafePlace is not a professional therapy group but a forum for sharing resources with fellow survivors, for exploring feelings often not understood by others, and for finding and giving support through the long process of grieving. Meetings are free, ongoing, and available on a drop-in basis. They also have a group for surivors of suicide attempts.

Check the website here!

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - AFSP lists U.S. and international suicide bereavement support groups as a public service to loss survivors. They do not run, recommend, endorse or fund any of the groups listed.

Check the website here!



• Suicide Anonymous - a 12-step fellowship that shares experience, strength and hope with one another so individuals may discuss their common lived experience and help others recover from suicidal preoccupation and behavior. 

Check the website here!

I hope you give yourself permission to experience fall however it comes to you. Find some of the little things that make fall feel special or tolerable to you, whether that's stepping on some crunchy leaves, visiting a pumpkin patch, decorating your safe space, watching a spooky movie, or making time to connect with your loved ones.

Thank you for spending a little time with us this quarter, and we'll see you in the next newsletter! 🍁

- Megan M.

Here are a few flyers that have come our way! If we missed yours—no worries! Outside of newsletters and support group requests, we're doing our best to get your support groups known using social media :)

*Click on each flyer to see their website or send them an email!*