October 2023 Issue: Evening of Excellence, Helping Families, Spotlight on Daysi Sanz, Spanish Language Mental Health Resources | |
An Initiative to Help Families | |
Finding Hope: The Family Journey through Mental Illness
A dedicated advocate for families in our state, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is drilling down to find out what parents/caregivers of adults with serious mental health conditions need to assist and support their loved ones, and what is already available in the community. Once determined, the Association is committed to advocating for systems, policies and services to fill the gaps.
To kick off this initiative, the MHANJ is hosting a series of meetings where family members can come and express their experiences, concerns and needs they identify for their loved ones. The first meeting was held on August 28.
Click here to read the summary of concerns that were shared.
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"Adults living with a Serious Mental Illness may face many barriers to living the life they thought they would. This reality can be heartwrenching for parents, who are often presented with big challenges in caring for their adult child. We want to help," said Carolyn Beauchamp, MHANJ's President and CEO. | |
Daysi Sanz, MSW,
Crisis Counselor and
Educator, Mental Health Association
in New Jersey
Important Notes from Daysi
There are many barriers to getting help for mental health and/or substance use conditions for people in the Spanish community.
We all need to talk about mental health challenges to help break the stigma.
It's challenging to find a Spanish-speaking therapist.
There is a lack of behavioral health services available in Spanish; it is especially hard for undocumented immigrants to find these resources.
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Sometimes, facing the scariest situations can bring on the good, like finding the profession you were born to do.
In 2010, Daysi survived a serious car accident, caused by her driving while intoxicated (nobody else was involved). This was a wake-up call.
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Exploring Spanish-Speaking Mental Health Resources | |
Pictured above are the MHANJ's Summer Spanish Language Initiatives Retreat participants who gathered to discuss ways to increase advocacy and services to Spanish-speaking people living with behavioral health challenges. (Left to right, back row): Robert Kley, Marilyn Feliciano, Tricia Russo, Xiomara Rodriguez, Denise Nieves, Genevieve Mitchell and Jill Schlossberg, (left to right, front row): Daysi Sanz and Mercedes Gomez. | The MHANJ offers emotional support, information and referral in Spanish and many other languages. Several Spanish-speaking on-line support and discussion groups are available. See the column to the right for resources from our association and others. | |
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Statewide and National Mental Health
Spanish Language Resources with Links
NJ Mental Health Cares HelpLine
Call 866-202-4357
Calls answered live, weekdays, 8 to 8
Support, Discussion and Education Groups
Despues Del Almuerzo is an online Spanish-speaking support and discussion group providing a chance to discuss important topics and interact with others. Offered through MHANJ's Esperanza Self Help Center and United by Wellness, this group is offered on Thursdays at 2 p.m. It is run by MHANJ's Denise Nieves, for more information email her at dnieves@mhanj.org.
Raices Conectadas is a program that provides education and resources about mental health online, in Spanish. The program offers presentations on Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m. and support groups on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Offered by MHANJ this program was created and is facilitated by Marilyn Feliciano and Daysi Sanz. For more information email mfeliciano@mhanj.org or dsanz@mhanj.org.
Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Spanish Language Offerings Written in Spanish
Mental Health America's Listing of Spanish-Language Resources
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The MHANJ's Jaime Angelini and Neal Stephens were pleased to teach Mental Health First Aid for Military, Veterans and their Families at the SpectraCare Foundation and the Carlton R. Rouh Veterans Center. We are glad to be doing this important work in collaboration with the New Jersey Hospital Association. This project is an initiative of the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. | The MHANJ in Atlantic County's team had a one in a minion evening at Northfield’s Trunk or Treat! | |
The MHANJ's Parantap Pandya represented our Union County Intensive Family Support Services program at the recent statewide NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk held at Middlesex County College, indoors, due to rain. He was pleased to walk with old and new friends, including Nicholas Carros, Senior Clinical Director for Behavioral Health at Horizon, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, New Jersey. | The MHANJ's Merrill Altberg represented the Association at Union Township's recent 12th Annual Mayor's Day 5K Run, hosted by the Greater Union Township Chamber of Commerce, with Executive Director, Jim Masterson, at the helm. | | | | |
