NJ Human Services Awards Contracts to Offer Outpatient Services for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness

February 1, 2024

(TRENTON) – Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman today announced the Department has awarded two contracts to providers enabling coverage in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state for outpatient services to older adults aged 55 years and older, with priority given to those with serious mental illness (SMI).

“These contracts will help older adults with serious mental illness manage their mental health, enhance their quality of life, remain active members of their community and maintain their independence,” Commissioner Adelman said. “Ensuring that this resource is accessible throughout the state is important and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have among older adults in our state.”

The contracts were awarded to Legacy Treatment Services in Burlington County and Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services in Sussex and Union counties, with maximum awards of $213,812 each.

“Older adults play a foundational role in society and help shape future generations. That is why it is so important to focus on mental health resources for this population in their communities, as this creates a more supportive and understanding society as they age. These contracts work to do just that,” Deputy Commissioner of Health Services Lisa Asare said.

Services provided include linguistically and culturally appropriate outpatient and prescriber services, with providers employing at a minimum one full-time master’s level clinician and a part-time prescriber to provide these services.

Services provided will be either in person or via tele-medicine, depending on the needs of the population.

According to the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry, around 20 percent of adults aged 55 years or older experience some type of mental health concern. Yet, according to the National Council on Aging, fewer than 50 percent of older adults affected by mental illness and/or substance use disorders receive treatment. Due to demand for services, wait times have been a challenge for this vulnerable population to receive the treatment they need. Access to mental health appointments remains a challenge with 25 percent of the existing providers not accepting new patients.

“With the understanding that wait times are a major barrier to older adults receiving proper treatment for SMI, the Department decided to focus on improving outpatient services in regions identified as having the longest wait times for outpatient counseling and prescriber services. This is why awards were issued in Burlington, Sussex, and Union counties,” said Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke, who directs Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “We are proud to enhance the overall health of older adults throughout the state.”

Providers will ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural and linguistic competence are a part of the services offered.

Commissioner Adelman reminded residents in need of mental health support to reach out for help through Human Services’ help lines.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health or substance use crisis can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. 988 is free and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.  People can text to 988, and chat 988 at 988lifeline.org/chat.  988 also offers TTY services.

For those in need of support during a disaster, please call Human Services’ NJ Disaster Mental Health Helpline at 877-294-HELP.

Those with substance use disorder can call 1-844-ReachNJ; a 24-hour-a-day,7 day-a-week help line.

Human Services also provides the NJMentalHealthCares helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357). The line can also be reached by texting NJHOPE to 51684.

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals fluent in American Sign Language can take advantage of a videophone mental health help line at 973-870-0677.

“Please don’t hesitate to call if you are in need,” Commissioner Adelman said. “We are here to help.”