North Plainfield Mental Health Stigma-Free Zone

06/11/2026

05/29/2026

Men's Mental Health...Why it Matters!

05/21/2026

Participated in an Anti-Stigma event at Ancora Hospital yesterday. Thank you Jackie White and Danielle Long for the opportunity. Great Staff and engaged persons Served.

05/21/2026

It was wonderful to see so many community leaders, partners, and supporters come together to celebrate today, including Mount Olive Township Mayor Joe Nicastro, Chairman of the Board of Woods System of Care Mark Williams, Chair of the Abilities Board David Molinaro and other board members, Assemblyman John DiMaio, staff from Congressman Tom Kean”s Office and NJACP’s Libby Vinson.

01/23/2026

Justice in Aging logo with tagline: "Fighting senior poverty through law."
Implementing New Medicaid Work Requirements: Strategies to Mitigate Harm in Your State
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT/2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Last year, Congress passed H.R. 1, introducing significant cuts and changes to Medicaid, including new Medicaid work requirements. Under the law, many Medicaid enrollees ages 19 to 64 will need to document at least 80 hours each month of work, volunteering, education, or job training to maintain coverage. Although certain people are exempt, including caregivers and people with disabilities or serious health conditions, understanding and applying these exemptions is challenging.

The webinar, Implementing New Medicaid Work Requirements: Strategies to Minimize Harm in Your State, will include a breakdown of the law’s key provisions and clarify who the requirements apply to. Presenters will discuss how exemptions and other protections should be implemented to prevent coverage loss and administrative burden, particularly among older adults and caregivers. Advocates will gain strategies and tools to use in the implementation and policy-setting stage to help ensure states comply with the law and adopt as many optional protections as possible.

01/13/2026

Answering the Call: Honoring Dr. King Through Mental Health Advocacy & Community Care

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reflect on Dr. King’s enduring legacy: a relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and beloved community. He taught us that “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.” This year, we are called to extend that service to a critical, yet often overlooked, dimension of our community’s well-being: Mental Health.

In New Jersey, 1 in 5 adults experiences a mental health condition each year. The need for support, understanding, and compassionate action has never been greater. Stigma still silences too many of our neighbors, friends, and family members, creating barriers to care and connection that Dr. King would challenge us to dismantle.

This is not just a health issue; it is a social justice issue. Access to care, equitable resources, and freedom from discrimination are pillars of the mental health movement that align directly with Dr. King’s dream of a just society.
How You Can Serve & Strengthen Our Community This MLK Day
Dr. King’s vision was built on active love and collective action. Here’s how you can honor his legacy:
1. Volunteer Your Time: Become a support group facilitator, a community educator, or a helpline responder. Your lived experience or compassionate ear can be a lifeline.�
2. Educate Yourself & Others: Attend a Mental Health First Aid workshops. Understanding is the first step toward erasing stigma.�
3. Advocate for Change: Urge our lawmakers to prioritize mental health funding and policies that ensure no one is left behind.�
4. Start the Conversation: In your faith groups, book clubs, and neighborhood gatherings, share resources and speak openly about mental wellness. Create circles of care where you live.

5. Donate: Your financial support allows for the expansion of
programs, reaching more families and individuals across the state.�

A Day On, Not a Day Off: Join a Day of Service
This MLK Day, we invite you to make it a “Day On” for mental health.
• Pledge to have one supportive conversation about mental health.�
• Share resources on your social media platform to break the silence.�
• Sign up to volunteer.�
Together, we can build a New Jersey where every individual, regardless of their mental health journey, is met with compassion, support, and access to hope.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

11/03/2025

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aact-now-2026-conference-self-care-in-the-black-community-tickets-1734888210339?aff=aactnow2026

Join us for a day of self-care at Kean University featuring a keynote, panel discussion, workshops, and a catered lunch!