Mental Health Administrators in Disaster Declared Counties

Mental Health Administrators in Disaster Declared Counties 88 Pompton Avenue Verona, NJ 07044 For Immediate Release Mental Health Administrators in Disaster Declared Counties to Be Honored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is pleased to honor the Mental Health Administrators of the ten Superstorm Sandy disaster-declared counties as 2013 Golden Bell Leadership Award recipients: Sally Williams from Atlantic County, Michele Hart-Loughlin from Bergen County, Patricia Devaney from Cape May County, Joseph Scarpelli, D.C., from Essex County, Robin James from Hudson County, Penny Grande from Middlesex County, Barry W. Johnson from Monmouth County, Tracy Maksel from Ocean County, Pam Mastro from Somerset County, and Katie Regan from Union County. They will be recognized at the organization’s Evening of Excellence on Tuesday, June 18, at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. “Mental Health Administrators play a key role during times of crisis in New Jersey. Their quick action and dedicated oversight during and following Superstorm Sandy were and are still invaluable in efforts to care for those who have mental health challenges and people who are facing emotional distress as a result of the disaster,” said Carolyn Beauchamp, MHANJ’s President and CEO. In a disaster such as Superstorm Sandy, the main responsibility of New Jersey County Mental Health Administrator is to coordinate the behavioral health response to those individuals that are affected by the disaster by working in collaboration with our community partners. “Since the days leading up to the storm, Mental Health Administrators organized and deployed hundreds of Disaster Response Crisis Counselors (DRCCs), many of whom addressed needs within shelters. Mental Health Administrators have also been working very closely and diligently with providers of mental health and social services to assure that residents receive the emotional support they need while also assuring continuity of care to existing consumers of mental health services. Currently the Mental Health Administrators are engaged in long term recovery efforts in their communities,” stated Tracey Maksel, President of the New Jersey Association of County Mental Health Administrators and the Mental Health Administrator for the County of Ocean. “Sandy has redefined the lens in which we embrace our professional and personal roles in our community. The Mental Health Administrators are only as strong as the teams we have supporting us. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish what we do without the dedication of our staff, our volunteers, our county administrators and community stakeholders.” MHANJ’s Evening of Excellence June 18, 2013 marks the 14th Annual Evening of Excellence benefit for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. Eric Landskroner, News 12 New Jersey anchor, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. In addition to the Mental Health Administrators, the other 2013 Golden Bell Leadership recipients are: the BrigStrong Recovery Group; Victoria Magliacane, Senior Vice President, Director of Sales and Service, Investors Bank; News 12 New Jersey; and Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey, Inc. Eric Landskroner, New 12 New Jersey Anchor, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. To purchase tickets to MHANJ’s Evening of Excellence, to become a sponsor or to place a congratulatory ad, please contact Robert Martin at rmartin@mhanj.org or 973-571-4100, ext. 128. About the Mental Health Association in New Jersey Since 1948, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey has worked to fulfill its mission by responding to issues and concerns raised by consumers of mental health services. The MHANJ advocates for systems change with elected and appointed government officials on the state, federal and local levels. Administrative, legal, budgetary and treatment issues that affect people with mental illness are all addressed. The organization also provides services that directly assist consumers in need, and thus reduces the strain on the limited government resources. MHANJ’s state headquarters is located in Verona, New Jersey; additional offices are located in Bridgewater, Galloway, Jersey City, Toms River and Union. For more information about MHANJ, visit www.mhanj.org, call 973-571-4100 or follow MHANJ on Facebook.