More Services For Mental Health
Article by: RWJ Barnabas Health
It’s a trend that began before COVID-19 but has become increasingly urgent in its aftermath: the rising demand for mental health care. Across the country, providers are seeing a dramatic increase in patients seeking help. National organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported steep rises in depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicide rates—patterns that local providers are also observing firsthand.
“Young people have been hit especially hard,” says Frank Ghinassi, PhD, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at RWJBarnabas Health and President and CEO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC). “The impact of this hidden health crisis is becoming clear, and it’s critical that we invest resources to address the mental health needs of our communities.”
To meet this growing demand, RWJBarnabas Health and UBHC have launched and expanded a variety of programs, facilities, and initiatives across New Jersey. Among them are the new Center for Recovery and Well-Being in Plainfield, Coordinated Specialty Care/First Episode Psychosis Programs in Edison and Cherry Hill, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) services in Piscataway. Together, RWJBarnabas Health and UBHC now provide integrated mental health and substance use treatment to more than half a million people annually.
Several new efforts have also been supported through grants from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, which recently awarded funding to Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) and UBHC. These grants are helping expand crisis intervention and stabilization services for individuals in urgent need.
“The expansion of our offerings increases access to quality behavioral health care and further strengthens our services,” Ghinassi says. “These enhancements ensure that those in need receive the comprehensive support they deserve.”
One of the newest programs is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) launched at Clara Maass Medical Center. Designed for adults 18 and older experiencing depression or anxiety, the program provides evidence-based care through a structured schedule of therapy and support. Participants attend sessions three days a week for four to six weeks, receiving group therapy, psychoeducation, individual and family counseling, and medication management. The program is tailored for those with significant symptoms but without active psychosis, suicidal risk, or cognitive impairment.
At Monmouth Medical Center, the Child and Adolescent Crisis Diversion Program addresses the needs of young people ages 5 to 17 who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric challenges. The program’s goal is to provide rapid access to care in a safe, compassionate, and trauma-sensitive environment, reducing the need for hospitalization while supporting community safety.
This specialized program brings together a multidisciplinary team of advanced practice nurses, licensed clinicians, case managers, and support staff with expertise in working with children and families. Services include assessments, psychotherapy, family and group therapy, medication management, crisis counseling, care coordination, and referrals for continued treatment.
Another landmark development is the opening of the Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat, the first youth mental health facility in New Jersey supported by a university. Operated by UBHC, the center blends evidence-based treatment with scholarly research and training for the next generation of behavioral health professionals.
The facility features creative and holistic spaces such as rooms for art and music therapy, a mind-body studio for dance and yoga, a fitness center, and private accommodations for up to 16 guests. Located near Rutgers’ agricultural research facility, the retreat is surrounded by the peaceful backdrop of the university’s horse pastures—an intentional design to foster healing in a restorative setting.
RWJBarnabas Health has also enhanced psychiatric emergency care at Jersey City Medical Center, expanding its unit from six to eight adult rooms and adding two pediatric rooms. Each space is designed to promote calm and comfort with soothing colors, safe furnishings, and televisions. A dedicated off-unit consultation room now allows family members to work alongside clinicians, sharing information and participating in treatment planning.
Through these expanded services, RWJBarnabas Health and UBHC are striving to respond to the urgent mental health needs of communities across the state. From crisis intervention to long-term support, these initiatives underscore a simple but vital commitment: to ensure that every individual has access to compassionate, comprehensive, and life-changing care.
