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2024 Annual Public Policy Forum, December 4, 2024 REGISTER

Our Partners

RWJBarnabas Behavioral Health Network

RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health and Addiction currently offers an extensive array of high-quality, clinically focused treatment programs. These programs include a 100-bed acute care psychiatric facility which provides inpatient and intensive outpatient programs for adults and older adults diagnosed with psychiatric and dual disorders. In addition, there are over 200 psychiatric beds in RWJBH acute care hospitals across the system. The RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health and Addiction Service Line’s multidisciplinary staff includes experienced professionals in every facet of behavioral health care to allow the provision of truly customized and highly specialized treatment, as well as programs for children and adults with eating disorders.

The Behavioral Health and Addictions Service Line for RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University benefit from singular executive leadership, by Frank Ghinassi, PhD, ABPP, the Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health and Addictions. Dr. Ghinassi maintains a dual role and also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rutgers Health University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), streamlining strategic direction and operational excellence across both organizations.

Contact our Access Center at 1-800-300-0628 to speak to Behavioral Health clinician for information about our behavioral health services or a referral to a mental health specialist near you.  You can also reach out to the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Access Center at (800) 969-5300.


Horizon Behavioral Health

If you or a loved one is dealing with daily challenges or serious conditions, Horizon Behavioral Health can help connect you with care, including:

  • Doctors, therapists and facilities that can give you the help you need
  • Individual and group counseling
  • Crisis intervention and mental health treatment
  • Autism care management services
  • Online wellness and self-directed therapy tools
  • Virtual doctor and therapy visits
  • Treatment programs for Substance Use Disorder

Asking for help can be hard, but you’re not alone. Call 1-800-626-2212, 24/7. Certain behavioral health services may require prior authorization. The dedicated Horizon Behavioral Health care team will work with you, your family, your caretakers and your doctors to help you get the treatment and support you need.  Please note that this service is only available to Horizon subscribers.

Webinars

Upcoming:

April 30, 2024 | Better Sleep for Better Mental Health | Register

Archives

November 30, 2023 | Why Mental Health Matters | View Recording

June 29, 2023 | Words Matter: Implicit Bias and Stigma in the Workplace | View Recording

June 23, 2023 | Alcohol, Canabis, and Drugs…Oh My! | View Recording

June 21, 2023 | Improving Access to Children’s Mental Health Services | View Recording

May 3, 2023 | Anxiety in the Workplace | View Recording

April 19, 2023 | Microagression at Work | View Recording

New Jersey Business Magazine

Healthy Living Mental Health Articles

January 2024

January 2024

Reducing the Stigma of Men’s Mental Health

Mental health disorders, particularly among men, have gained momentum in becoming a silent killer. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), men die by suicide at a rate four times higher than women. While men make up approximately 50% of the population, they account for nearly 80% of suicides…

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December 2023

December 2023

Can What You Eat Affect Your Mental Health or Mood?

Healthy Living

Mental health has become an important topic of conversation. According to the American Psychology Association, we are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come. So, what are some ways you can improve your mental health? Can what you eat help? If so, which foods? Below are some foods, which are known to support brain health, that you may consider incorporating into your regular diet:

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November 2023

November 2023

Eye Health in a Digital World

Whether your team members are working in the office, remotely, or doing a little bit of both, they likely spend many hours looking at blue-light-emitting computers or smartphones. In fact, one report found people spend an average of 13 hours per day using digital devices, including for work and leisure…

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October 2023

October 2023

Stop Binge Watching, Focus on the 4 M’s

From “Ted Lasso” to “Severance,” there is a lot of good TV to watch. With streaming platforms dropping a whole season of a show at one time, it is tempting to binge watch. However, research says you shouldn’t, because binge watching can have a long-term impact on your mental acuity. You can actually set the stage for dementia when you are older, by binge watching in your 30s and 40s…

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September 2023

September 2023

Sleeping Right!

We all do it, we all need it. Sleep is an important part of life and getting the right amount of quality sleep can often be overlooked. According to the Sleep Foundation, it is recommended that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Good sleep can improve an individual’s mood and mental function, promote cardiac health, restore the immune system, maintain a healthy weight, and more. Here are some tips to help you get good quality sleep for your health.

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June 2023

June 2023

Handling Postpartum Depression

BY TIA DEMILLE WELSH

Having a baby can be a very exciting time in a woman’s life. However, it can also bring challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in eight women report symptoms of depression after giving birth. Postpartum depression typically begins one to three weeks after giving birth, but can occur up to a year later. Symptoms include intense sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness; loss of interest in activities; withdrawal from friends and family; and thoughts of hurting oneself or the baby. Postpartum depression also interferes with the ability to complete daily life activities. This condition often does not go away on its own and usually requires medical treatment. Here are some tips and facts to help you understand postpartum depression and how to combat these feelings.

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May 2023

May 2023

4 Ways to Use Your Health Plan to Boost Your Well-Being

BY DR. DONNA O’SHEA

The road to good health is often a path of ups and downs. To help avoid this bumpy ride, try tapping into resources, including ones available through your employer or health plan. Whether your goal is to improve your physical or mental health (or both), considering these tips can help you take advantage of resources that may be included with your plan. Below are four strategies to consider, whether your coverage is through an employer, a state-based exchange, or government-sponsored programs such as Medicare or Medicaid.

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March 2023

March 2023

Recognizing Potential Suicidal Behavior

BY DAVID BRITCHKOW

The fear of judgment or discrimination may prevent people suffering with a behavioral health issue from seeking the treatment they need. Without help or treatment, the feelings of hopelessness and loneliness may build, leading one to consider thoughts of ending their own life. Also, feelings of stress, anxiety, depression and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated these outcomes and put further strain on people’s mental health.

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February 2023

February 2023

The Head Heart Connection

The heart is often thought of as a symbol of our emotions. “Scientists have uncovered a clear link between emotions and heart health, identifying that depression, stress and/or anxiety may make it more likely for individuals to experience a heart attack or heart failure in the future,” explains Gary Rogal, MD, FACC, medical director for cardiovascular services at RWJBarnabas Health. “In particular, researchers have found that anxiety can increase the body’s level of stress hormones, which elevates blood pressure. People with chronic anxiety are therefore more likely to develop high blood pressure, and people with high blood pressure are more likely to be anxious.”

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January 2023

January 2023

The Holistic Approach to Cancer Treatment

The statistics on cancer are sobering. One in three men and one in two women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. We know that a cancer diagnosis is life-changing for patients and their families. We also know that cancer doesn’t travel well, and patients ideally shouldn’t have to travel to multiple locations to receive the best care possible. But what does world-class cancer treatment look like? One thing is for certain. It’s about more than just medicine.

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December 2022

December 2022

How to Have Happy, Healthy Feet

The average person takes about 5,000-10,000 steps per day. This adds up to around 115,000 miles in a lifetime or walking around the earth four times in your lifetime. This can explain why about 75% of Americans will experience foot problems at least one time in their lives.

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November 2022

November 2022

9 Questions to Ask Before You Retire

For most of the past 20 years, retirement rates in the US were declining. People were staying in jobs longer, experts speculated, because of factors such as increased life expectancy, higher education levels, and the rise in the minimum age to collect full Social Security benefits.

In the past two years, that trend reversed: Beginning with the pandemic-related economic shutdown in March 2020, a significant number of US adults who hadn’t necessarily planned to retire, did so. It’s estimated that two and a half million “excess” retirements took place between March 2020 and the second quarter of 2021.

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October 2022

October 2022

Accommodating the Disabled

What is a disability?

Our definition of disability comes from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who:

  • Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
  • Has a record of such an impairment; or
  • Is regarded as having such an impairment.

Major life activities include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.

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September 2022

September 2022

6 Ways to Get Your Child Back to Sleep

Children are going back to school and that means they need to get back to a sleep schedule! Having a good night’s sleep is vital for a child’s growth, immune function, and overall development, so getting them back on schedule is important.

As per the Sleep Foundation, the recommended duration of sleep for preschoolers (3 to 5 years) is 10 to 13 hours, while school-age kids (6 to 12 years) need 9 to 11 hours each night. Adolescent children (14 to 17 years) need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Some children may need more sleep or less sleep, and it depends on whether they feel tired and sleepy during the day. Following are tips to help children get a good night’s sleep:

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August 2022

August 2022

Recovering from Nicotine Addiction

Smoking causes about 480,000 deaths every year and remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. When an employee or a member of their family is addicted to nicotine, the impact on business can be significant. According to a study published by Ohio State University, smoking can cost an employer nearly $6,000 per employee, per year. Increased healthcare costs, lower productivity and the potential for serious illness are documented consequences of smoking and vaping. Empowering your employees, and providing them with the tools to overcome nicotine dependence and lead healthier lives, results in rewards that extend far beyond the walls of the office.

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July 2022

July 2022

Heart Disease Can Be Preventable

Although heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, many Americans don’t recognize that it’s largely preventable. Fortunately, 90% of heart disease is due to modifiable/controllable risk factors. This means that heart disease is largely preventable and controllable by addressing treatable risk factors and making lifestyle changes. Key factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.

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June 2022

June 2022

Employment After Addiction

For individuals coping with substance use disorders, finding and sustaining addiction recovery is only half the battle. After finding recovery assistance, the common barriers that may make it difficult to secure and retain employment include legal issues stemming from previous arrests while under the influence, poor work history, and lack of access to stable housing, internet, telephone, food, clean clothing, transportation and childcare, which can make it difficult to even begin the interview process.

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May 2022

May 2022

Coping with Pandemic-Induced Substance Use

BY MEG FRY, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

US alcohol sales have increased more than 14% since the beginning of the pandemic – and continue to rise, according to Bloomberg News, whilce cannabis sales have also increased due to widespread legalization.

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April 2022

April 2022

The Surprising Connection Between Oral Health and COVID-19

While many people are likely aware of the most common risk factors associated with complications from COVID-19, including diabetes or high blood pressure, a surprising connection has emerged with dental health. A recent study found that people with gum disease, who become infected with COVID-19, are at increased risk of poor outcomes, including a greater chance of admission to the intensive care unit…

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March 2022

March 2022

Exercise Is Medicine

Physical inactivity contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Performing moderate-intensity physical activity on a regular basis can help individuals live longer and help reduce health problems at any age. For example, individuals who exercise have an easier time keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control and maintaining a healthy body weight…

 

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February 2022

February 2022

Mental Health: The New Imperative

A mental health crisis was already well underway in the US when the COVID-19 pandemic’s upheaval swelled the numbers of individuals facing mental health issues. Because people don’t set aside those issues when they start work every day, what may seem to be a personal challenge also becomes a business challenge. Employers are realizing they must support their employees’ mental well-being…

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January 2022

January 2022

Healthy Behaviors Help Fight Stress

The pandemic has led to significantly increased stress, which affects both mental and physical health. In addition to physical precautions, such as getting vaccinated, wearing masks and practicing social distancing, stress management and other healthy behaviors are essential for individuals’ well-being, productivity and effectiveness…

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NJBIA Partners

ACI Medical & Dental School
Amazon
AmeriHealth
AT&T
Atlantic City Electric
BMS
CGI
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Connell Foley
Delta Dental
dsm-firmenich
Eastern Janitorial Company
Falstrom Company
Fidelity
Girl Scouts Of Central & Southern New Jersey
Hackensack Meridian Health
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
IBEW Local 102
Johnson & Johnson
Marotta Controls, Inc.
McDonald's
New Jersey American Water
New Jersey Council of County Colleges
NJM
New Jersey Resources
New Jersey Society of CPAs
Otsuka
Optimum
Panasonic
Prager Metis
PrimePoint
RWJBarnabas Health
Sandler Training
South Jersey Industries