The New Jersey Hospital Association is partnering once again with the N.J. Department of Military and Veteran Affairs in a new chapter of the Mental Health First Aid Training initiative to support veterans and service members.
The new initiative, announced Nov. 14 during a kickoff event at Macedonia Baptist Church in Neptune, will bring Mental Health First Aid training to faith-based organizations. Congregants and other community members who work with veterans will learn about the signs of someone struggling with mental health issues and how best to connect them with services.
“With its team of U.S. veterans serving as health navigators, NJHA made a commitment more than a decade ago to ensure that our service members can access the care they need, especially mental health services,” said NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett. “It is a true honor for NJHA to be the ‘boots on the ground’ in partnership with DMAVA providing vital Mental Health First Aid training in support of our veterans, service members and their families.”
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based course designed to give laypeople the tools to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults – in this case, with a special focus on veterans and service members. Participants in the 7.5-hour course are also provided detailed information on local programs and services so that they can help individuals access the help they need.
In August 2023, DMAVA and NJHA launched its collaboration by bringing Mental Health First Aid training sessions to each of New Jersey’s 21 counties. That work yielded measurable impact in linking veterans and service members with support, including:
- 42 mental health first aid training sessions held across all 21 counties
- 540 individuals trained in MHFA
- 745 persons referred to mental health services, thanks to the support of our new trainees.
DMAVA received federal funding that will allow the work to continue and expand to faith organizations. NJHA has been awarded $125,000 to manage and present the training sessions across the state, staffed by its certified trainers that include veterans.
The effort also supports the work of the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Services Members, Veterans, and their Families.
“These events increase suicide awareness,” said Vincent Solomeno, Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Participants learn to recognize the symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges, and how to assist for a successful outcome.”
For more information on Mental Health First Aid Training in support of our veterans, contact MHFA@NJHA.com.
