March 24, 2021
Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO
The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction
Agencies (NJAMHAA) is deeply saddened to hear about the loss of
lives in the recent shootings in Boulder, CO, and the Atlanta, GA
area, and sends heartfelt condolences to the families, friends
and communities affected by these tragedies.
These horrific events have occurred at a time when mental health
and substance abuse across the nation have worsened due to the
physical, emotional and financial impacts of COVID-19. And this
all came at a time when New Jersey and the country were already
experiencing suicide and opioid epidemics. Tragic events such as
the recent shootings will have a profound impact on many
individuals' mental health, whether they were directly or
indirectly affected. Immediate and ongoing access to treatment
and support services is essential for all individuals to cope
with the various traumas they have experienced.
While it has been reported that the suspect in the Colorado
shooting suffered from mental illness, facts show that
individuals with mental illness are more likely to be victims of
violence than to perpetrate it. There are millions of people in
America living with serious mental illnesses who have never had a
violent thought in their lives and this incident should not
stigmatize them.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis,
there are many ways to reach out for help. The national suicide
hotline is 800-273-8255. There are crisis services throughout New
Jersey such as Screening Centers and Early Intervention Support
Services Programs that you can contact directly. Here is the Division of Mental Health and
Addiction Services listing of services by county and by type. For
referrals to children's and youths' crisis services, call
PerformCare at 877-652-7624.
