Emily shares her personal mental health and recovery journey, offering an honest look at navigating love, dating, and healthy relationships while living with a mental health condition. Through candid conversation and shared reflections, Belle and Emily explore stigma, self-worth, recovery, and what it means to build meaningful connection and partnership. This powerful episode offers hope, insight, and encouragement for anyone navigating mental health and relationships. 

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Hosted by Merrill Altberg, MSA, MHANJ’s Director of Communications, this conversation offers real-world insight into recognizing postpartum mental health needs accessing support, and building effective paths toward recovery.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Con las anfitrionas invitadas (De izquierda a derecha) Mercedes Gomez y Daysi Sanz, LSW, Asociación de Salud Mental en Nueva Jersey

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

In this episode, Divad shares how he and the ORT take a compassionate, community-trauma-data-based approach that prioritizes de-escalation, healing and building connections. He reveals why the most impactful work often happens one person, one conversation, one moment at a time.

Both Divad and the Newark Community Street Team are honorees for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s 25thAnnual Evening of Excellence.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Mark is an honoree for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s 25th Annual Evening of Excellence.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

In this episode, we’ll talk with Don about the role of community, education, and connection in the recovery journey — and how resources like webinars and peer support can truly make a difference.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

In this episode, Robin shares an honest, insightful conversation about student mental health—what today’s students are up against, how it shows up in schools, what parents can do to support their children, and suggested, compassionate strategies for school staff.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Join Mr. Gold as he delves into the world of personalized behavioral and cognitive engagement strategies. 

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Tune in to hear Ms. Kunis share powerful insights and forward-thinking strategies that are driving innovation in behavioral health.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is pleased to collaborate with the Rotary Club of Mental Health Advocates. We welcome the Club as a partner in 18th Annual Walk for Wellness and Recovery. 

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

 After more than 38 years of service at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, in 2023 Laverne retired from her full-time position as the Director of the PEWS (Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality) Program and serving as an integral member of the Community Education Team. Laverne founded PEWS in 2005 and remains at the helm. The PEWS Program’s goal was to help break the stigma associated with mental health conditions for members of the African American church. She became a strong proponent of equipping church leaders with skills to respond to congregants who had concerns about their own mental health or the mental health of their family members.

 As an advocate on behalf of persons with mental illness, and as a long-standing Deacon and member of the Union Baptist Church in Montclair where she still serves, Laverne has diligently developed partnerships between faith-based communities and behavioral health institutions by bridging the gap between theology and mental health. Her insights were indispensable in encouraging culturally relevant behavioral health resources and family support services to an array of diverse consumers. She diligently worked to increase awareness and engagement with key stakeholders in communities of color.

In addition to her award-winning work, Laverne is also a New Jersey Certified Social Worker, WRAP (Wellness & Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She is a highly sought-after conference keynote speaker and workshop facilitator having presented to numerous statewide and local agencies, consumer organizations and family member groups.

Laverne’s work has been published, and she has been quoted by notable authors such as Sheryl Sandberg in her bestselling book, Option B – Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy. The PEWS program is referenced in a paper published by Laverne and her colleagues, entitled, Implementing a Mental Health Ministry Committee in Faith-Based Organizations: The Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality Program, * accessible on the National Library of Medicine’s website. 

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

After years of therapy and medications, she slowly began to heal. Her path included enrolling in the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Consumer Connections course and subsequently being hired by MHANJ as a Peer, where she fell in love with using her story to help others.

Now, Emily Grossman, MA, CPRP, Peer Life Coach, Keynote Speaker and author of Unlocked: From Psych Hospital to Higher Self, she is an inspiration to us all!
For more information, visit www.emilygrossman.net.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Susan’s early work with terminal cancer patients led her to psychiatric nursing, where she became one of the first psychiatric emergency screeners at Monmouth Medical Center. In 2008, after taking a position at Manasquan High School, she developed a Crisis Response plan during one of the largest teen suicide contagions on record. The plan later became a national model. She remains a prominent speaker at national conferences, continuing her mission to prevent youth suicide.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Ms. Greene co-chairs the RWJBarnabas Health Tackling Addiction Task Force where she has been instrumental in the development of a multidisciplinary approach to substance use disorder and pain management. Re-elected in 2023 as Chairperson of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Professional Advisory Committee for Addictions, she continues to champion an integrated holistic care system for individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website, https://www.mhanj.org/ or email our host,  Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.