National Council for Behavioral Health Recognizes NJAMHAA for Advocacy Excellence

MERCERVILLE, NJ (June 19, 2020) — The National Council for Behavioral Health will recognize the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA) for its extraordinary advocacy work during the June 23rd Hill Day at Home, the National Council’s annual advocacy event to promote bipartisan solutions for behavioral health providers and the individuals they serve.
The 2020 Advocacy Leadership Awards, supported by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recognizes individuals and organizations that have supported public policy initiatives to improve behavioral healthcare treatment and services through statewide advocacy.

“National Council members understand the value of advocacy to promote the important work of providers in their states. This year’s Advocacy Leadership Award winners have worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances as community behavioral health organizations cope with a pandemic to relentlessly pursue bipartisan solutions to help those providers and the clients who depend on them for life-saving services,” National Council for Behavioral Health President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia said. “Because of their work, communities throughout their states are healthier and safer.”

The National Council’s website adds, “As the pandemic roared into New Jersey, NJAMHAA worked with state leaders to ensure that the necessary work was done to resolve MAT [medication assisted treatment] issues, as well as prevent recent increases to long-term residential SUD [substance use disorder] treatment rates from being cut. Their advocacy during the pandemic has also led to several big wins, including legislation for expanded telehealth.”

“Being selected for this award is humbling and a tremendous honor for the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. The award affirms that advocacy is effective, especially when everyone participates, as is the case throughout our association,” said

Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA, who will accept the Organizational Achievement in Advocacy Award.

The National Council will honor its 2020 Advocacy Leadership Award winners at a reception during Hill Day at Home on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

Learn more about the 2020 Advocacy Leadership Award program.

About NJAMHAA
The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA) is a statewide trade association representing 144 organizations that serve New Jersey residents with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and their families. Our members may be found in every county and almost every community statewide. They serve more than 500,000 children and adults each year and contribute to the economy through 61,000 direct and indirect jobs. NJAMHAA’s mission is to promote the value of its members as the highest quality behavioral healthcare providers for the residents of New Jersey through advocacy and professional development.

About the National Council for Behavioral Health
The National Council for Behavioral Health is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 3,326 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced Mental Health First Aid USA and more than 2 million Americans have been trained.