COVID-19 has given many of us the opportunity to slow down, pick up new hobbies, and connect deeper with the people we live with. But of course we know, and most of us have experienced in some way, that the pandemic has also brought many unprecedented challenges in our lives. Financial burdens, grief, housing insecurity, and increased substance use have impacted millions of Americans across the country. As a result, our mental health is taking a toll, which is something we don’t talk about with one another as much as we should.

If you need someone to talk to for emotional support, you can call NJ Hope and Healing’s free hotline at 866-202-HELP (4357), or Text NJHOPE to 51684. You can find additional mental health resources on our COVID-19 resource website.

That’s why we centered mental health as the topic of a “Community Coming Together COVID-19 Virtual Meeting” in February 2021. Guest speakers from NAMI Mercer County and Sea Change Recovery Community Organization joined us to talk about how disasters like COVID, Superstorm Sandy, and Overdose impact our mental health, and shared healthy coping mechanisms and resources that can help us and our loved ones get through these tough times. 

It’s so important that we all continue to check up on our friends, loved ones, and most importantly, ourselves during these times. We want you to know that at NJOP, you matter. It’s important to us that your voices are heard, and that you remember, you are not alone. We’re stronger together as a community. Learn more by reading through the presentation shared by Janet Haag, Executive Director of NAMI Mercer County.