How To Get Affordable State Sponsored Therapy in New Jersey
Many people don’t realize that publicly-funded mental health services are available in their state. People looking for free or low-cost counseling often think their only options are counselors in private practice and don’t know that publicly-funded providers in their communities may also offer counseling services.
While state-based programs are not for everyone, they are often a great place to start for people who face geographic or financial barriers to therapy. Intake specialists at community mental health programs can help people learn whether they qualify for state-funded services and can refer people who don’t qualify to other low-cost programs that may be able to meet their needs.
On This Page
- When Should You Go to a State Mental Health Program?
- Who Is Eligible for Public Mental Health Services in New Jersey?
- How Can You Find Out More About Local Programs in New Jersey?
- Atlantic County Clinics
- Bergen County Clinics
- Burlington County Clinics
- Camden County Clinics
- Cape May County Clinics
- Cumberland County Clinics
- Essex County Clinics
- Gloucester County Clinics
- Hudson County Clinics
- Hunterdon County Clinics
- Mercer County Clinics
- Middlesex County Clinics
- Monmouth County Clinics
- Morris County Clinics
- Ocean County Clinics
- Passaic County Clinics
- Salem County Clinics
- Somerset County Clinics
- Sussex County Clinics
- Union County Clinics
- Warren County Clinics
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
- How Does New Jersey's Public Mental Health System Work?
When Should You Go to a State Mental Health Program?
Few mental health providers outside of those in the public sector are able to immediately serve people in crisis. This usually makes public mental health services the best option for anyone who is having a mental health crisis and needs help right away. The people who answer crisis lines offer caring attention and support as they help people determine the best response to a crisis, whether it’s inpatient treatment or an appointment with a counselor.
In most cases, community mental health programs serve as alternative providers for people who lack the means to access services in the private sector. They often prioritize people with severe mental illness that puts them at risk of hospitalization. However, New Jersey’s system includes a range of independent providers that serve people with a wide range of mental health needs. The Central NJMentalHealthCares line is a great resource for people who want information about local mental health services who are not in crisis. If you’re not finding what you need through the public mental health system in New Jersey, you can search for free or low-cost counselors on OpenCounseling.com or try affordable online counseling with BetterHelp (a sponsor of OpenCounseling).
Many people in New Jersey don’t get the mental health care they need. Only 40 percent of people in New Jersey with mental health conditions get treatment for them. Despite its dedicated funding for mental health programs, Mental Health America ranks New Jersey 27 out of 51 states (including the District of Columbia) for access to mental health care. Because New Jersey is the most densely populated state in America, even areas with programs that serve many people often have an equal or greater number of people who don’t get services. You don’t have to be one of them—consider reaching out to a local or statewide information or crisis line to learn how to get the care you need.
Who Is Eligible for Public Mental Health Services in New Jersey?
Because New Jersey contracts with independent agencies to provide state-funded mental health services, there are no statewide clinical eligibility criteria for mental health services. Instead, the state only assesses whether people are eligible for state funding to pay for the care they receive.
Eligibility for state funding is determined based on a person’s income and the severity of their mental illness. When demand is high, counties that directly provide public mental health services may restrict services to people whose mental health conditions result in functional impairments and put them at risk of hospitalization.
People who don’t qualify for state funding in New Jersey can often still receive services from publicly-funded providers. Independent programs that contract with the state can set their own clinical eligibility requirements and give people different payment options. Many contracted providers accept both public and private insurance and offer sliding scale fee options to people without insurance regardless of whether they qualify for public financial assistance.
How Can You Find Out More About Local Programs in New Jersey?
Like many other states, New Jersey operates local crisis lines for each of its counties. The people who answer these crisis lines can guide people through mental health crises, inform them about local services, make referrals, and sometimes even set up appointments. Unlike other states, New Jersey also operates a statewide mental health information line that people can call to get the same information even when they’re not in crisis.
New Jersey MentalHealthCares is New Jersey’s “behavioral health information and referral service” and is a great place to call to learn about local options for mental health care. To reach NJMentalHealthCares, call (866) 202-4357 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM EST. On hours the line is not staffed, you can leave a message for someone to return your call the next business day. You can also visit their webpage for service directories or to reach them by e-mail.
The following list includes contact information for each county’s mental health board, crisis screening centers, access centers that provide a single point of entry for multiple services, and outpatient programs that provide counseling for adult clients. You can call these programs directly to find out whether affordable counseling is available and whether you qualify.
If you’re looking for other kinds of mental health services or services for children or youth, many counties offer extensive provider lists on their websites that include service types not listed here. You can also review this list of publicly-funded programs or call NJMentalHealthCares with specific inquiries. Many providers serve several counties, so if you’re interested in a specific provider, you should call and ask if you’re eligible based on where you live.
Atlantic County Clinics
- Atlantic County Mental Health Administration
- Atlantic County Mental Health Administrator: (609) 645-7700 x4519
- Atlantic County Mental Health Board: (609) 645-7700 x4307
- Primary Screening Center for Atlantic County:
- Access Centers:
- AtlantiCare Behavioral Health: (609) 646-9159
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
- Legacy Treatment Services: (800) 433-7365
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- AtlantiCare Behavioral Health:
- (609) 348-1161 (Atlantic City)
- (609) 561-7911 (Hammonton)
- (609) 646-5142 (Egg Harbor Township)
- Center for Family Services:
- (609) 569-0239 (Egg Harbor Township)
- (609) 652-1600 (Absecon)
- Jewish Family Services (Margate): (609) 822-1108
- Legacy Treatment Services (Northfield): (800) 433-7365
- AtlantiCare Behavioral Health:
Bergen County Clinics
- Bergen County Mental Health Services
- Bergen County Mental Health Board: (201) 634-2745
- Bergen County Department of Health Services: (201) 634-2600
- Primary Screening Center for Bergen County:
- CarePlus Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program (Paramus): (201) 262-4357
- Secondary Screening Center:
- CBH Care Wellness and Support Center (Westwood): (201) 957-1800
- Access Centers:
- CarePlus: (201) 265-8200
- Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare: (201) 646-0195
- New Bridge Medical Center: (800) 730-2762
- Vantage Health System: (201) 567-0059
- West Bergen Mental Healthcare: (201) 485-7172
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- CarePlus Center for Primary and Behavioral Health (Paramus): (201) 265-8200
- Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare (Hackensack and Lyndhurst): (201) 646-0195
- New Bridge Medical Center (Paramus): (800) 730-2762
- Vantage Health System:
- (201) 385-4400 (Dumont)
- (201) 567-0500 (Englewood)
- West Bergen Mental Healthcare:
- (201) 444-3550 (Mental Health Center, Ridgewood)
- (201) 485-7172 (Mahwah)
- (201) 528-8075 (Ridgewood)
Burlington County Clinics
- Burlington County Behavioral Health Services
- Burlington County Mental Health Board: (609) 265-5383
- Burlington County Human Services: (609) 265-5536
- Primary Screening Center for Burlington County:
- Legacy Treatment Services Screening and Crisis Intervention Program (Willingboro): (609) 835-6180
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Catholic Charities(Westampton): (800) 360-7711
- (609) 267-9339 (Delaware House, Westampton)
- Legacy Treatment Services: (800) 433-7365
- (609) 267-5656 (Drenk Center, Hainesport)
- (609) 267-1550 (Children’s Home Campus, Mount Holly)
- (609) 267-4001 (Generations Family Success Center, Mount Holly)
- (609) 261-7315 (The Legacy Foundation, Hainesport)
- (856) 642-9090 (CTS Offices, Moorestown)
- (800) 433-7365 (Westampton Office, Mount Holly)
- Oaks Integrated Care: (800) 963-3377
- (609) 261-4970 (Mount Holly)
- (609) 265-0245 (Lumberton)
- (609) 953-5714 (Medford)
- (856) 778-8231 (Moorestown)
- Princeton House (Moorestown): (888) 437-1610 or (856) 779-2300
- Catholic Charities(Westampton): (800) 360-7711
Camden County Clinics
- Camden County Health and Human Services
- Camden County Health and Human Services: (856) 374-6318
- Camden County Mental Health Board: (856) 663-3998 x224
- Access Centers:
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
- Oaks Integrated Care: (800) 963-3377
- Kennedy Memorial Hospital: (856) 528-3425
- South Jersey Behavioral Health Resources: (800) 220-8081
- Primary Screening Center for Camden County:
- Oaks Integrated Care (Cherry Hill): (856) 428-4357 or (856) 488-6500
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
- (856) 964-1990 (Administrative Headquarters and Counseling Offices, Camden)
- (856) 428-5688 (Regina Hill Center for Counseling, Support, and Healing, Voorhees)
- (856) 963-0200 (Lynne’s House Counseling Office, Camden)
- Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey (Camden): (856) 365-7393
- Legacy Treatment Services: (800) 433-7365
- (609) 534-9196 (Virtua Health and Wellness Center, Berlin)
- Oaks Integrated Care: (800) 963-3377
- (856) 428-1300 and (856) 482-8747 (Cherry Hill)
- (856) 210-1500 (Berlin)
- (856) 740-0589 (Sicklerville)
- Omni Health Services (Camden): (856) 541-5848
- South Jersey Behavioral Health Resources (Camden): (856) 361-2700
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
Cape May County Clinics
- Cape May County Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board
- Cape May County Mental Health Board: (609) 465-1055
- Primary Screening Center for Cape May:
- Cape Counseling Services at Cape Regional Medical Center: (609) 465-5999
- Access Center:
- Cape Counseling Services (Cape May Courthouse): (609) 465-4100
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Cape Counseling Services (Cape May Courthouse): (609) 465-4100
- CompleteCare Health Network: (856) 451-4700
- (609) 465-0258 (Cape May Court House and Wildwood)
Cumberland County Clinics
- Cumberland County Mental Health and Addictions Board:
- Cumberland County Mental Health Board: (856) 459-3080
- Cumberland County Drug and Alcohol Services: (856) 451-3727
- Primary Screening Center for Cumberland County:
- Cumberland County Guidance Center at Inspira Health Center (Bridgeton): (856) 455-5555
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
- (856) 696-2032 (SERV Counseling Office, Cumberland County, Vineland)
- (856) 378-4328 (SERV Outpatient Counseling, Bridgeton)
- (856) 212-3308 (Peaceful Tomorrows at Daniels’ Den Community Center, Vineland)
- CompleteCare Health Network: (856) 451-4700
- (856) 451-4700 (Vineland and Millville)
- Cumberland County Guidance Center(Millville): (856) 825-6810
- (856) 696-4064 (Vineland)
- Inspira Health Network(Bridgeton, Elmer, Glassboro, and Woodbury): (800) 467-7472
- (856) 507-2730 (Vineland Counseling Service)
- It Takes a Family (Bridgeton): (856) 378-7292
- Oaks Integrated Care: (800) 963-3377
- (856) 696-1233 (Vineland)
- Omni Health Services (Vineland): (856) 457-5814
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
Essex County Clinics
- Essex County Department of Health and Rehabilitation
- Essex County Hospital Center: (973) 571-2800
- Essex County Mental Health Administrator: (973) 571-2821
- Primary Screening Centers for Essex County:
- Clara Maass Medical Center (Belleville): (973) 844-4357
- East Orange General Hospital: (973) 266-4478
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center: (973) 926-7444
- Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (Newark): (973) 623-2323
- Access Centers:
- Mountainside Medical Center (Montclair): (973) 429-6775
- Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Healthcare System (Newark): (973) 596-4190
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center: (800) 300-0628
- Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare (Newark): (800) 969-5300
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Family Connections (Orange): (973) 675-3817
- Family Intervention Services (East Orange): (973) 324-7880
- Family Service Bureau of Newark:
- (201) 246-8077 (Kearny)
- (973) 412-2056 (Newark)
- Irvington Counseling Center (Irvington): (973) 399-3132
- Mental Health Association of Essex County (Montclair): (973) 509-9777
- Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Healthcare (Newark): (973) 596-4190
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center CMHC (Newark): (973) 926-7026
- Northwest Essex Community Healthcare Network (Belleville): (973) 450-3100
- Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare (Newark): (973) 972-5430
Gloucester County Clinics
- Gloucester County Mental Health Services
- Gloucester County Mental Health Administrator: (856) 384-6889
- Primary Screening Center for Gloucester County:
- New Point Behavioral Healthcare at Inspira Health Network (Woodbury): (856) 845-9100
- Access Center:
- Underwood Memorial Hospital (Woodbury): (856) 251-3310
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
- (856) 728-0404 (Counseling and Substance Abuse Treatment Offices, Williamstown)
- (856) 881-5511 (Musumeci Family Sacnctuary, Glassboro)
- (856) 881-7252 (Family Support Center, Williamstown)
- (856) 537-1813 (SERV Counseling Office, Woodbury)
- CompleteCare Health Network: (856) 451-4700
- (856) 863-5720 (Glassboro)
- New Point Behavioral Healthcare (Woodbury): (856) 845-8050
- Center for Family Services: (877) 922-2377
Hudson County Clinics
- Hudson County Office on Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Hudson County Behavioral Health Administrator: (201) 369-5280, x4250
- Primary Screening Center for Hudson County:
- Jersey City Medical Center: (866) 367-6023 or (201) 915-2210
- Secondary Emergency Screening Centers:
- CarePoint Bayonne Medical Center: (201) 858-5285
- CarePoint Christ Hospital (Jersey City): (201) 795-8374
- CarePoint Hoboken University Medical Center: (201) 418-1900 or (201) 418-2090
- Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center: (201) 854-6300 or (201) 854-5638
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Bayonne Community Mental Health Center: (201) 339-9200
- CarePoint Christ Hospital Counseling and Resource Center (Jersey City): (201) 795-8375 or (201) 795-7900 (first appointments)
- CarePoint Hoboken UMC Community Mental Health Center: (201) 792-8200
- Family Service Bureau of Newark:
- (201) 246-8077 (Kearny)
- (973) 412-2056 (Newark)
- Jersey City Medical Center: (201) 915-2272
- Palisades Medical Center Counseling Center (North Bergen): (201) 854-0500
- Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Healthcare:
- (201) 558-3700 (Union City)
- (201) 395-4800 (Jersey City)
- North Hudson Community Action Corporation (Union City): (201) 866-9320 or (201) 210-0200
- North Star Health Systems (Bayonne): (201) 535-5959
Hunterdon County Clinics
- Hunterdon County Mental Health Board
- Hunterdon County Mental Health Board: (908) 788-1253
- Hunterdon Helpline: (800) 272-4630 or (908) 782-4357
- Primary Screening Center for Hunterdon County:
- Hunterdon Medical Center (Flemington): (908) 788-6400
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Catholic Charities’ Flemington Service Center: (908) 782-7905
- Daytop New Jersey (Flemington): (908) 806-5195
- Hunterdon Medical Center Behavioral Health (Flemington): (908) 788-6401
- Kwenyan & Associates (Flemington): (908) 237-3826
- Princeton House Behavioral Health (Princeton): (888) 437-1610 or (609) 613-1481
Mercer County Clinics
- Mercer County Division of Mental Health
- Mercer County Mental Health Board: (609) 989-6574
- Primary Screening Center for Mercer County:
- Capital Health Regional Medical Center (Trenton): (609) 396-4357 or (609) 989-7297
- Access Centers:
- Oaks Integrated Care: (800) 963-3377
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- All Access Mental Health (Princeton): (609) 452-2088
- Catholic Charities of Trenton: (800) 360-7711 or (609) 394-9398
- High Focus Centers (Lawrenceville): (609) 349-7626 (800) 877-3628
- Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County (Princeton): (609) 987-8100
- Millhill Child and Family Development Counseling Services (Trenton): (609) 989-7333
- Oaks Integrated Care: (800) 963-3377
- (609) 396-6788 or (609) 396-4258 (Trenton)
- (609) 396-8877 or (609) 583-1900 (Lawrenceville)
- (800) 963-3377 (Access Center)
- Princeton House Behavioral Health (Princeton and Hamilton): (888) 437-1610 or (609) 613-1481
- TCNJ Clinic at The Center for Integrative Wellness (Ewing): (609) 771-2700
- Trinity Counseling Service (Princeton): (609) 924-0060
Middlesex County Clinics
- Middlesex County Division of Addictions and Mental Health Planning
- Middlesex Mental Health Planning Division: (732) 745-4186
- Middlesex County Mental Health Board: (732) 745-4313
- Primary Screening Center for Middlesex County:
- Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (Piscataway): (855) 515-5700 or (855) 515-5001
- Secondary Emergency Screening Center:
- Raritan Bay Medical Center (Perth Amboy and Old Bridge): (732) 442-3794
- Access Centers:
- Rutgers UBHS Access Center: (800) 969-5300
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Carrier Clinic (Belle Mead): (800) 933-3579
- Catholic Charities Counseling and Wellness Services:
- (732) 738-1323 (Edison)
- (732) 257-6100 (East Brunswick)
- (732) 324-8200 (Perth Amboy and Woodbridge)
- George J. Otlowski Center for Mental Health Care (Perth Amboy): (732) 442-1666
- Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County (Milltown): (732) 777-1940
- Moving Forward Community Wellness Center (New Brunswick): (732) 317-2920
- Center for Behavioral Health at JFK Medical Center (Edison): (732) 321-7189
- Omni Health Services (Highland Park): (732) 227-0070
- Princeton House Behavioral Health (North Brunswick): (888) 437-1610 or (732) 729-3600
- Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care:
- (732) 235-8400 (Edison)
- (732) 235-6800 (New Brunswick)
- (732) 235-5790 (Monmouth Junction)
- Rutgers University Psychological Services Clinic: (848) 445-6111
- Stress Care of New Jersey (Matawan and Manalapan): (732) 679-4500
Monmouth County Clinics
- Monmouth County Office of Mental Health
- Monmouth County Office of Mental Health: (732) 431-7200
- Monmouth County Mental Health Board: (732) 431-6451
- Primary Screening Center for Monmouth County:
- Monmouth Medical Center (Long Branch): (732) 923-6999
- Secondary Emergency Screening Centers:
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center (Neptune): (732) 776-4555
- Centra State Medical Center (Freehold): (732) 780-6023
- Riverview Medical Center (Red Bank): (732) 219-5325
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Booker Behavioral Health Center (Shrewsbury): (732) 345-3400
- CPC Behavioral Health Care:
- (732) 842-2000 (Red Bank)
- (732) 987-8200 (Howell)
- (732) 987-8800 (Neptune)
- (732) 780-7387 (Freehold)
- (732) 290-1700 (Aberdeen)
- High Focus Centers (Freehold): (732) 303-9900 or (800) 877-3628
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center Outpatient Mental Health (Neptune): (732) 643-4400
- Pollak Clinic at Monmouth Medical Center (Long Branch): (732) 923-6500
- Princeton House (Eatontown): (888) 437-1610 or (848) 208-2600
Morris County Clinics
- Morris County Community and Behavioral Health Services
- Morris County Mental Health Board: (973) 285-6852
- Primary Screening Center for Morris County:
- St. Clare’s Hospital (Denville): (973) 625-6160 or (973) 625-0280
- Secondary Emergency Screening Centers:
- Chilton Medical Center (Pompton Plains): (973) 831-5078 or (973) 831-5480
- Morristown Memorial Hospital (Morristown): (973) 971-5402 or (973) 540-0100
- St. Clare’s Hospital Wellness and Recovery Center (Denville): (973) 625-7096
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Cornerstone Family Programs (Morristown): (973) 538-5260
- Daytop New Jersey Morris County Outpatient Program (Morris Township): (973) 539-5764
- Family Intervention Services (Denville): (973) 586-5243
- Grace Counseling Center (Madison): (973) 822-0707
- High Focus Centers (Parsippany): (973) 299-9919 or (800) 877-3628
- Morristown Memorial Hospital (Morristown): (888) 247-1400
- Newbridge Services: (888) 746-9333
- (973) 316-9333 (Parsippany)
- (973) 839-2700 (Pompton Plains)
- St. Clare’s Counseling Services:
- (973) 625-7009 (Denville)
- (973) 298-8600 (Parsippany)
Ocean County Clinics
- Ocean County Department of Human Services, Mental Health Unit
- Ocean County Mental Health Board: (732) 506-5374 or (800) 544-7184
- Primary Screening Center for Ocean County:
- Monmouth Medical Center South (Lakewood): (732) 886-4474 or (866) 904-4474
- Secondary Emergency Screening Centers:
- Community Medical Center Crisis Center (Toms River): (732) 557-8000
- Ocean Medical Center Crisis Center (Brick): (732) 836-4664
- Ocean Mental Health Services OceanCrest Crisis Support (Toms River): (732) 240-3760 or (732) 349-5550
- Preferred Behavioral Health: (866) 904-4474
- Southern Ocean Medical Center (Manahawkin): (609) 978-8972
- Access Centers:
- Community Medical Center (Toms River): (800) 300-0628
- Ocean Mental Health Services (Bayville): (732) 575-1111 or (877) 621-0445
- Preferred Behavioral Health (Lakewood): (732) 458-1700
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Community Medical Center (Toms River): (800) 300-0628
- Daytop New Jersey Ocean County Outpatient Program (Manahawkin): (732) 875-1090
- Lakewood Community Services Corp. (Lakewood): (732) 901-6001
- Ocean Insight Center (Toms River): (732) 930-1020
- Ocean Mental Health Services: (732) 575-1111 or (877) 621-0445
- (732) 349-5550 (Bayville)
- (732) 202-3600 (Brick)
- (732) 349-5550 (Toms River)
- (609) 597-5327 (Manahawkin)
- Preferred Behavioral Health (Lakewood): (732) 367-4700
- St. Francis Counseling Service (Long Beach Township): (609) 494-1554
- Seashore Family Services of New Jersey:
- (732) 920-2700 (Brick)
- (732) 244-1600 (Toms River)
Passaic County Clinics
- Passaic County Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Passaic County Mental Health Division Director: (973) 881-2884
- Passaic County Human Services Director: (973) 881-2834
- Primary Screening Center for Passaic County:
- St. Joseph’s Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Services (Paterson): (973) 754-2230
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Clifton Behavioral Healthcare (Clifton): (973) 594-0125
- Door Into the Future (Passaic): (973) 928-4260
- Eva’s Village (Paterson): (973) 754-6784 x324 or (973) 523-6220
- Family Intervention Services (Paterson and Bloomingdale): (973) 523-0089
- Mental Health Clinic of Passaic:
- (973) 473-2775 (Clifton)
- (973) 471-8006 (Passaic)
- NewBridge Services (Haskell): (888) 746-9333 or (973) 728-3938
- SERV Centers of NJ (Clifton Behavioral Healthcare): (973) 594-0125
- St. Joseph’s Outpatient Mental Health Services (Paterson): (973) 754-4765
Salem County Clinics
- Salem County Mental Health Board
- Salem County Mental Health Administrator: (856) 935-7510 x8464
- Primary Screening Center for Salem County:
- Healthcare Commons Crisis Intervention at Salem Medical Center: (856) 299-3001
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Apple Counseling Services (Sewell): (856) 881-3339
- Family Therapy and Consultation Services (Woodbury): (856) 332-4698
- Healthcare Commons Family Health Services (Carney’s Point): (856) 299-3200
- Helping Hand Behavioral Health (Clayton) (856) 881-9000
- Robin’s Nest Counseling Centers (Salem): (833) 444-6378
Somerset County Clinics
- Somerset County Human Services
- Somerset County Human Services: (908) 704-6300
- Somerset County Mental Health Access Center: (908) 253-3165 or (888) 744-4417
- Primary Screening Center for Somerset County:
- Somerset County Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services (Somerville): (908) 526-4100
- Contracted Outpatient Providers and Access Centers:
- Carrier Clinic (Belle Mead): (800) 933-3579
- GenPsych (Bridgewater): (855) 436-7792
- High Focus Centers (Branchburg): (732) 474-7447 or (800) 877-3628
- Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center (Bridgewater): (908) 725-2800
Sussex County Clinics
- Sussex County Mental Health Board
- Sussex County Mental Health Administrator: (973) 940-5200 x1371
- Sussex County Mental Health Board: (973) 948-6000 x1381 or (973) 940-5200 x1381
- Primary Screening Center for Sussex County:
- Psychiatric Emergency Services at Newton Medical Center (Newton): (973) 383-0973
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Capitol Care (Stanhope): (844) 437-3482
- Catholic Family and Community Services (Franklin): (973) 827-4702
- Center for Prevention and Counseling (Newton): (973) 383-4787
- Newbridge Services (Sparta): (888) 746-9333 or (973) 726-0697
- Newton Medical Center Outpatient Behavioral Health (Newton): (888) 247-1400
Union County Clinics
- Union County Department of Mental Health Services
- Union County Mental Health Board: (908) 527-4844
- Union County Mental Health Administrator: (908) 527-4846
- Primary Screening Center for Union County:
- Trinitas Regional Medical Center (Elizabeth): (908) 994-7131
- Secondary Emergency Screening Centers:
- Overlook Hospital (Summit): (201) 841-8078
- RWJ University Hospital (Rahway): (732) 499-6165 or (732) 381-4949
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- CenterPath Wellness (Plainfield): (908) 756-6870
- Counseling Center for Human Development (Cranford): (908) 276-0590
- Family and Children’s Services, Inc. (Elizabeth): (908) 352-7474
- High Focus Centers (Cranford): (908) 272-2474 or (800) 877-3628
- Jersey Behavioral Care (Union): (908) 291-2727
- Jewish Family Service of Central NJ (Elizabeth): (908) 352-8375
- Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Healthcare (Cranford): (908) 497-3925
- Overlook Medical Center Outpatient Behavioral Health (Summit): (888) 247-1400
- Resolve Community Counseling Center (Scotch Plains): (908) 322-9180
- Summit Oaks Hospital Outpatient (Summit): (908) 522-7077 or (800) 753-5223
- Trinitas Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health (Elizabeth): (908) 994-7556
- United Family and Children’s Society (Plainfield): (908) 755-4848
- Youth and Family Counseling Services (Westfield): (908) 233-2042
Warren County Clinics
- Warren County Department of Human Services
- Warren County Mental Health Administrator: (908) 475-6331
- Warren County Mental Health Board: (908) 475-6092 / 6080
- Primary Screening Center for Warren County:
- Family Guidance Center of Warren County (Phillipsburg): (908) 454-5141
- Contracted Outpatient Providers:
- Family Guidance Center of Warren County:
- (908) 852-0333 (Hackettstown)
- (908) 689-1000 (Washington)
- (908) 454-4470 (Phillipsburg)
- Omni Health Services (Phillipsburg): (908) 329-2700
- Family Guidance Center of Warren County:
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are another option for public mental health care in New Jersey. These federally-funded programs provide medical and mental health services to people in underserved communities. Their purpose is to provide high-quality coordinated care to people with complex needs and to link behavioral healthcare with primary medical care. Each FQHC accepts Medicaid and Medicare and offers sliding scale fees to people without insurance. You can search for FQHCs using the online search tool on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
How Does New Jersey's Public Mental Health System Work?
In the 1960s, Americans started thinking differently about how to treat mental health conditions. New laws required state and local governments to establish community mental health programs as alternatives to institutionalization for people with serious mental illness. Many states’ public mental health programs trace their origins back to this period.
New Jersey was ahead of the curve. Only a handful of states enacted community mental health laws before Congress passed the federal Community Mental Health Act in 1963. After New York became the first state to pass a community mental health law in 1954, New Jersey passed its own law in 1957.
New Jersey’s law established local government departments called county mental health boards. Their purpose is to direct program development, ensure access to mental health care for county residents, and provide funding so people with serious mental illness have the support they need to live outside of institutions. These county mental health boards are not required to provide services directly and can contract with local agencies instead.
From the beginning, New Jersey’s public health system has been made up of county boards that govern local human services. Mental health boards supervise local agencies that provide mental health services. Some counties directly provide services, though most do not. The main purpose of county mental health boards is to provide funding so that people can access mental health services in their local communities regardless of their ability to pay.
New Jersey has traditionally funded community mental health programs through grants and contracts. Recent efforts to move the state into a fee-for-service system have met with some controversy, though New Jersey continues to prioritize mental health spending and fund its mental health programs more consistently than many other states. New Jersey was one of only 12 states that increased their mental health budgets every year from 2013 to 2015.