Newark Will Get $727K For Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment

NEWARK, NJ — Newark will get more than $700,000 in federal funding to pay for mental health and substance abuse treatment, two U.S. senators announced Wednesday.

According to Sen. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide the City of Newark with $727,740 to create a “community crisis response partnership” to support mental health and substance use services in the area.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka welcomed the upcoming influx of federal funds.

“Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased societal pressures of every kind, and the lingering effects of generational neglect caused by racial injustice, the mental health of our residents requires more attention than ever before,” Baraka said.

“As we systematically analyze and treat trauma and other mental health issues in our community, we see its safety and overall health and wellbeing improve,” the mayor added.

In addition to the funding for Newark, the HHS will also be providing the New Jersey Department of Health with a $ 4.22 million grant to “provide cancer prevention and control programs,” the senators said.

According to New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, the funding will “advance ongoing efforts in cancer prevention and control through education and outreach, early detection and screening, and surveillance through data collection and analysis in New Jersey.”

“Although cancer is among the leading causes of death in New Jersey, many cancers are preventable,” Persichilli said. “Screening continues to be the most effective tool in identifying some types of the disease early during highly treatable stages, leading to improved outcomes for cancer survivors.”

According to Menendez, cancer, mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders can impact anyone – no matter what their age, race, religion or economic background is.

“Everyone deserves access to the health care programs and services that can assist them,” Menendez said.

Booker, a Newark resident, said the grants will bolster efforts to combat substance abuse, promote mental health services, and advance cancer prevention and control.

“These investments will have a positive impact on the well-being and health outcomes of our communities,” he said.

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