Community Corner
Helpline for Mothers of Children with Special Needs Now Available to East Hanover and Florham Park Parents
Since its launch in fall 2010, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s Mom2Mom peer support initiative has been successfully caring for the mental and emotional health of mothers of special needs children in Essex, Union and Morris Counties, reaching 958 families.
And now, thanks to a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), the 24/7 Mom2Mom helpline (877-914-MOM2) and related services are available to parents of children with special needs statewide.
The noteworthy aspect of this helpline, which is like no other in the nation, is that while other resources target the substantial needs of children with special needs, Mom2Mom focuses on the wellbeing of the mother who faces such extraordinary responsibilities. Moms in this group frequently feel as if they have no support for their own needs and nobody with whom they can discuss the many challenges they face. Calls are answered by other mothers of children with special needs who have been trained as peer support counselors.
Find out what's happening in East Hanover-Florham Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
By dialing the Mom2Mom helpline, a caller receives the following services:
Mom2Mom Peer Counseling Support: Moms of special needs children trained in peer counseling and crisis support will offer peer support, explain resources and explore the needs of helpline callers. Mom2Mom peer support is also available via live chat online through the website (www.mom2mom.us.com), and the Mom2Mom Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom2Mom/203346826346736) offers a forum for mothers and counselors to connect and share resources.
Find out what's happening in East Hanover-Florham Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mom2Mom Clinical Assessment: Mom2Mom clinicians assist as part of the team of clinical professionals available for telephone assessment and gauge the depression, anxiety and family and marital issues, etc., that may be impacting their lives.
Mom2Mom Network: A Mom2Mom database of specially trained service providers is available for referrals for callers’ mental health needs.
Mom2Mom Support Groups: Mom peer supporters are available for monthly Mom2Mom support group meetings in local communities.
