Well over a quarter to half of children in New Jersey have reported experiencing poor mental health in the form of emotional or depressive problems for extended periods of time, based upon findings in a new report from the New Jersey State Policy Lab. The report, “Youth Mental Health in New Jersey: Current Status and Opportunities for Improved Services,” set out to better understand the current state of youth mental health in New Jersey and identify best practices for mental health policies in schools.

“Most experts and observers agree that positive youth mental health requires a comprehensive approach that is firmly rooted in prevention first, and that requires a systems-approach of cooperation and coordination among schools, providers, parents, and the community,” explains Dr. Karen Lowrie, co-author of the report and Associate Director of the Environmental Analysis and Communication group at Rutgers University. “Better understanding the nature of this problem along with how better to address it will give youth in New Jersey the best opportunity to thrive as healthy adults.”

This study, authored by Lowrie and Rutgers University graduate student Brooke Schwartzman, was originally developed in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed NJ Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) program, a proposal which sought to replace preexisting mental health services co-located within certain schools in the state with a hub-and-spoke regional model. While the proposal to cut preexisting services has been called off, the findings and recommendations of this report remain important, offering insight on mental health indicators, an analysis of the state’s current school-based mental health support system, and case studies of other states’ best practices for mental health programming.

The first phase of the study collected and analyzed recent federal and state agency data sources regarding mental health conditions and determinants for New Jersey middle school and high school students. Some key takeaways found:

• From a quarter to half of New Jersey youth are experiencing poor mental health in the form of emotional or depressive problems, sadness, or hopelessness for extended periods of time.
• Female students are up to 50% more likely to experience anxiety, sadness, or suicidal ideations than male students.
• One in six families reports no insurance coverage for mental health and about half found difficulty in finding adequate counseling.

The second phase of the study researched the structure of New Jersey’s current school-based mental health system, and utilized case studies drawn from Washington, D.C, Maryland, and Wisconsin’s state-level systems to glean insights to bolster current youth mental health support systems. Some policy recommendations included:

• Expand New Jersey’s existing School-Based Health Center (SBHC) network both geographically and functionally to broaden the reach of low-cost mental health services.
• Standardize school-linked mental health services and require Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for intervention and referral services.
• If a shift to a regional service delivery model is considered, first pilot a hub model in one or two regions while retaining the existing school-based service model.
• Improve access and clarity of outreach materials on available youth mental health services for students and parents.

The report stresses and supports the importance of equitable access to mental health professionals and continuity of care as key elements to stem the current crisis and build toward a bright and healthy future for all New Jersey youth.

Download the full report here: Report Release: Youth Mental Health in New Jersey: Current Status and Opportunities for Improved Services – New Jersey State Policy Lab (rutgers.edu)

About the New Jersey State Policy Lab: The NJSPL, housed in the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, assists the state of New Jersey and its many communities in the design, implementation, and evaluation of state policies and programs by conducting rigorous evidence-based research that considers equity, efficiency, and efficacy of public policies and programs in holistic and innovative ways. The Lab is run as a partnership between the Bloustein School in Rutgers-New Brunswick and the School of Public Affairs and Administration in Rutgers-Newark. The Policy Lab is funded by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), and the contents of this report do not necessarily represent the policy or endorsement of OSHE or the State of New Jersey.