Mental health care is out of reach for too many. Here’s how N.J. can change that

By Carolyn Beauchamp

One in five people in the United States experiences mental illness every year, yet care remains out of reach for millions of people.

Nearly every day, as president and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey and in my personal life, I meet people looking for mental health support services with no idea where to go.

Our mental health care system is overwhelming, expensive and difficult to access. In efforts to change that, New Jersey is currently implementing a novel model of crisis response through the 988 Crisis Continuum of Care.

The 988 Crisis Continuum of Care provides support in three ways:

A 24/7 phone, text and chat service staffed by trained specialists who listen, support and refer when people are experiencing a mental health, substance use or s