Thanks to the support of the NAMI NJ community, we are proud to announce multiple advocacy victories. On June 30th, Governor Murphy signed into law S311/A2036, which establishes a behavioral health crisis system of care, along with key budget items: $12.8 million for the 988 hotline and $16 million to establish mobile crisis teams.

S311/A2036, in combination with budget funding, is a significant and sorely needed step toward NAMI NJ’s vision of 988. As demand for 988 services grows, we will need to keep fighting for sustainable long-term funding and the availability of services across all 21 counties, while ensuring that processes are in place to appropriately rout calls between 988 and 911 when needed.

Thank you to all who wrote to your legislators and the Governor and asked them to support a mental health response to mental health crisis. Your voice is powerful, and your lived experiences – as friends, family members, and consumers – should continue to shape the implementation of our behavioral health crisis system. Please be on the lookout for opportunities to participate in the two public hearings mandated by the recently passed legislation.

While July 16 is nearly a week away, implementation will be a gradual process. If you or a loved one has an experience with the new 988 system and feel comfortable sharing, or learn of any 988 developments in your community, please reach out to Matt Camarda at [email protected].