Community Resources Mobile Crisis: 973-266-4479 Crisis Unit: 973-266-4478 Serves residents of Newark Mobile Crisis: 973-926-7416 Crisis Unit: 973-926-7444 Serving parts of UMDNJ- Mobile Crisis: 973-972-0480 24 Hour Hotline: 973-623-2323 Serving parts of
The following is a guide to mental health services in Essex County which you may find helpful to you and your loved one.
Day Programs/Partial Care
A Day Program, also known as Partial Care, is a day treatment psychological rehabilitation program that helps clients with severe mental illness adjust to community living. Therapy is generally provided in a group setting with activities ranging from vocational skills, to recreational therapy and relapse prevention groups. The scope of the activities varies among programs. The programs are usually from 9am to 3pm and clients may attend up to five days a week. Please click on this section's heading for a guide to the Day Programs in Essex County.
Housing Resources
While some individuals with mental illness live with their families, other families choose to seek out alternate living for their loved one. Essex County has a range of housing options for your loved one, some of which specifically address the mental health issues. For a listing of housing resources for Essex County, please click on this section's heading for a guide.
Outpatient Programs
An outpatient program works best once an individual with mental illness is stabililized and is not for an individual during the acute stages of the illness. Outpatient programs most often involve seeing a therapist once a week and may also include medication monitoring. For a listing of outpatient programs in Essex County please click on this section's heading.
Emergency Rooms w/Psychiatric Units
There are 7 hospitals in Essex County that have psychiatric units. There are additional hospital emergency rooms in Essex County, however they do not have psychiatric units. In the event that you bring your loved one to one of the hospitals without a psychiatric unit, a screener will come to the hospital to evaluate your loved one. If your family member is admitted voluntarily or involuntarily, he/she will then have to be transferred to a hospital with an available bed. For a listing of emergency rooms with psychiatric units please click on this section's heading.
Crisis Services
There are three crisis units in Essex County which deliver services based on where you live in Essex County. The Crisis Intervention/Psychiatric Screening center provides emergency psychiatric services who are no longer able to cope effectively because of acute stress, exacerbation of an existing mental illness or disruption in daily living due to other circumstances. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mobile Crisis Intervention Services are available when persons in need of Crisis Intervention Services are unable or unwilling to com into the Crisis Unit. The Mobile Crisis Unit is able to respond to the person in crisis wherever they are located.
East Orange General-
Support Groups
Support groups allow individuals who have similar experiences to come together and share thoughts and/or concerns. Often a person is comforted by knowing they are not alone in their struggles. For a listing of support groups in Essex County for your loved one, please click on this section's heading. If you do not find what you are looking for here, you may want to contact the NJ Self-Help Clearinghouse which can be reached at 1-800-367-6274 or online at www.njgroups.org.
Drop-In Centers
Drop-In Centers offer an opportunity for recreation and socialization. IFSS runs a drop-in center every Thursday night at the Mental Health Association of Essex County. For more information on this drop-in center click here.For a listing of other drop-in centers in Essex County, please click on this section's title.
Support Groups for Families
NAMI Essex and IFSS recognize that family members and friends need support too! The following is a listing of support groups for families in Essex County.
Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS)-
Check here for the latest schedule!
Essex County Hospital Center-
1st Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 7pm in the large classroom
204 Grove Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
Mountainside Hospital-
Meets the third Tuesday of every month from 7 to 8pm.
1 Bay Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
To register, please call 1-888-973-4674
