The Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) is a program of the Mental Health Association of Essex County, Inc. that provides support for individuals who have an adult family member with mental illness.  We recognize that caring for someone who has a mental illness may be physically and emotionally stressful.  These stresses may cause feelings of frustration, embarrassment, resentment and anger.  We can provide you with the resources you need to cope with your situation.

Give us a call at 973-509-9777 to set up your appointment today!

IFSS provides relief through:

•  Family support groups- Parents, siblings, spouses or offspring coping with a mental illness in the family meet together with a professional for mutual support and sharing of resources.

For upcoming support group schedule click here.

• Supportive counseling- A mental health professional will meet with you to provide support and education while teaching skills to enhance family relationships
• Home based
• Office visits
• Individual/Family
• Psycho-educational Workshops- Educational presentations and time-limited trainings for the purpose of providing families with a greater knowledge of mental illness, treatment options and skills

See below for upcoming workshops!

• Advocacy- Family empowerment will be enhanced by learning effective ways to get what they need from the mental health service providers and community resources.  By joining with other families as part of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI-NJ/Essex) families can become more successful and effective adovcates for individuals with mental illness
• Respite- IFSS runs a weekly drop-in center every Thursday night for individuals with mental illness called "Thursdays."  Members participate in a range of social activities.

For an up to date "Thursdays" schedule, click here.

You are invited...

"Work and your loved one"

• How will my loved one pay for his/her medication if Medicaid coverage is no longer an option?
• What will happen to my loved ones SSI check if he/she returns to work?
• What community supports are available to assist my loved one to obtain and/or maintain employment?

For the answers to these questions and more...

When: July 30th, 7pm
Where: 33 South Fullerton Ave.
Montclair, NJ at
The Mental Health
Association of
Essex County