NJ Expands Access to Telehealth and Tele-Mental Health Services in Response to COVID-19

Interview with Carole Johnson, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Human Services.

New Jerseyans are experiencing the emotional and mental toll of COVID-19. It’s a concern Governor Phil Murphy is making sure gets addressed with free support helplines that are operated by live trained specialists. 

NJ Mental Health Cares, the state’s behavioral health information and referral service, is offering help to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. New Jerseyans can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

With support from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, ACCESS at St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson is offering help in American Sign Language to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Individuals can call the videophone helpline at 973-870-0677 for free, confidential support. Direct communication in sign language will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ensuring New Jerseyans have access to telehealth and tele-mental health services to the greatest extent possible during this pandemic has been at the forefront of departmental actions for the Department of Human Services, Department of Banking and Insurance, Department of Treasury, Department of Health, Department of Children and Family Services and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs

Governor Phil Murphy directed departments to identify opportunities to support broader access and departments have identified opportunities to do so, including the waiving of co-pays, allowing the use of telephonic telehealth and tele-mental health services, allowing patients to use services from the comfort of their own homes, and increasing flexibility in the technological platforms used to deliver services and more.