News

Mental Health First Aid Trainings

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Published on Tuesday, 11 December 2012 20:02

Preferred Behavioral Health of NJ will be hosting two Mental Health First Aid trainings in January and February of 2013. The first training will be held on January 17th & 18th from 9:00am - 4:00pm the second training will be held Tuesdays, February 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm Click for more information

To register, please call Maryann at 732-458-1700 x1118 or Carly at 732-262-2500 x2097

Women's Treatment Specialist Training Series

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Published on Friday, 19 October 2012 14:41

Preferred is a Proud Host: From October 26th through November 30th Preferred will host the Women's Treatment Specialist Training Series. The Women's Treatment Specialist (WTS) is a specialty credential intended for use in human services, health care and counseling settings that provide services to women. Training dates and topics are as follows:

• Friday, October 26: Women's Substance Use, FASD, and Health Related Issues

• Friday, November 9: Women and Diversity: Life Span Issues

• Friday, November 16: Trauma Specific Treatment

• TUESDAY, November 20: Systems Coordination

• Friday, November 30: Gender Specific Use Risk Factors and Practical Interventions

Courses can be taken individually, but all 5 must be completed as the educational requirement for the WTS. Courses will also count for renewal credit for all NJ DCA Marriage and Family Board credentials, as well as all APCBNJ Certification Board credentials.  All classes are 6 hours and begin at 9am. The courses are $75 each ($375 for all 5).

Registration forms can be downloaded here, and if you have any questions, please contact the Certification Board.

All trainings will be held at Preferred Behavioral Health of NJ's Training Center located at 725 Airport Road, Lakewood, NJ 08701.

Hurricane Sandy and Nor'easter Resources available in NJ

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Published on Thursday, 08 November 2012 18:54

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, over 50 million Americans are now faced with change and loss as a result of the storms. Please visit New Jersey Hope for resources and healthy coping tips available in both English and Spanish. Also be sure to visit our Facebook Page for ongoing updates and resources during this difficult time.

Hey There, Sports Fans

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Published on Friday, 05 October 2012 13:04

For many of us, October is a time to focus on baseball. One in five Major League Baseball teams will be entering into the postseason having just won their division, and will captivate us on their quest to win the pennant. Approximately 20 million Americans will watch the World Series on television, and thousands more will spend an average of $500 to watch a game in person.

Fewer Americans are likely aware that the first full week of October is also Mental Illness Awareness week. Yet, mental illness is an issue that affects many more of us each year. In any given year, one in five Americans will experience a mental illness. Approximately 20 million U.S. adults live with a serious mental illness, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.  

Chances are you have a friend, family member, or colleague living with a mental illness. Their goal is not a championship, but recovery. Recovery means something different to everyone — but can include a complete remission of symptoms, or learning to manage one’s illness so that they can carry out their daily lives — going to work, or managing relationships.

Mental illnesses can happen to anyone, even the players on the field. Giants’ first baseman Aubrey Huff went on the 15-day Disabled List earlier this season due to an anxiety disorder.

Mental illnesses are real, common, treatable diseases. According to the National Advisory Mental Health Council, the treatment success rate for bipolar disorder is a remarkable 80 percent. The recovery rates for other serious mental illnesses follow suit: major depression (65‐80 percent), schizophrenia (60 percent) and addiction (70 percent). Unfortunately, many individuals with mental illnesses will not even seek help – because of shame, misunderstanding or discrimination around treatment for these illnesses.

It’s time we learn how to be better “fans” to the people in our lives living with a mental illness. Just like the powerful influence playing to a home crowd can be, individuals living with mental illness are much more likely to continue on their journey of recovery with a strong support network – of friends, family, and other social networks.

We can all learn a common way to talk about mental illnesses, and how to help, through Mental Health First Aid — a public education program designed for anyone to learn how to support someone developing signs and symptoms of mental illness or in an emotional crisis. The in person course takes less time to complete than you’ll spend watching one series — and courses are held in communities throughout the country. For more information about hosting a Mental Health First Aid course, contact Maryann Gigon at 732-458-1700 ext.1118 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Let us take a moment this week to have a conversation about mental illness. If you have someone in your life who you think may be impacted by mental illness, talk to them about your concern, show them you care. You just may be the relief they need.  

Critical Update on Federal Government and Other Disaster Assistance Available for NJ Residents

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Published on Monday, 05 November 2012 15:42

For information, including road closures, transit information, and shelter locations, the best number to call is 2-1-1.  Power companies are working to restore electricity, but it will be a long process before everyone has their power back.  Notify your power company immediately of any outages and keep in touch until your power is restored.

• PSE&G: 1-800-436-7734, www.pseg.com/outagecenter , and @PSEGdelivers on Twitter
• JCP&L: 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or 1-800-545-7738, www.jcp-l.com , and @JCP_L on Twitter
• AC Electric: 1-800-833-7476, www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/emergency , and @ACElecConnect on Twitter
• Rockland Electric Company: 1-877-434-4100, www.oru.com , and @ORUConnect on Twitter
• Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative: 1-877-504-6463, www.sussexrec.com/outages.asp
• Vineland Municipal Utilities: 1-856-794-4280, http://www.vinelandcity.org/Electric/VMEUsite
• The Red Cross is working closely with local, state, and federal emergency management teams to provide shelters throughout New Jersey.  To find a Red Cross shelter operating in your community, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or check online at http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/ .

President Obama acted quickly to issue Major Disaster Declarations for many New Jersey counties suffering damage from Hurricane Sandy.  This makes New Jersey residents eligible for a number of Federal disaster relief programs that offer grants and loans to individuals and loans to businesses.

The Federal Government has a website that allows people to apply for assistance online: http://www.disasterassistance.gov .This website consolidates the application process across several Federal agencies, including FEMA and the Small Business Administration.  The website also reduces the number of forms you will ultimately have to fill out, shortens the time it takes to apply, and allows you to check the progress of your applications online.

If you want to apply by phone rather than the Internet, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).