Mental Health Upcoming Events

The Mental Health Council is working with area organizations on events and campaigns related to mental health. The following events and programs are currently offered:

The Parent Support Network – National Virtual Meeting OPEN

The Parent Support Network is a program that provides parents who are concerned about their children’s mental health with an opportunity to find and support each other in a safe and confidential space.

Parent support meetings are run by volunteer, trained Facilitators who are parents who have experience raising a child who has struggled with his or her mental health.

3rd Tuesdays at 7:30 pm; First Presbyterian Church, 11 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016

Bereavement Groups

Imagine, A center for Coping with Loss

  • 244 Sheffield St., Mountainside, NJ 07092
  • (908) 264-3100
  • Imagine is a grief support center for children, young adults and families dealing with the death or life altering illness of a parent, sibling or child. The program is free.

Overlook Hospital Bereavement Support Group

  • 99 Beauvoir Avenue, Summit NJ 07901
  • (973) 379-8440  Katherine Owens
  • 6 week sessions

Center for Hope Hospice Bereavement Support Group

  • 1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
  • (908)288-9036
  • Tuesdays at 2:00 - all are welcome

Holy Trinity RC Church Bereavement Ministry

  • 315 First Street, Westfield, NJ 07090
  • (908) 232-8137
  • Peer ministry

St Michael’s Catholic Church GriefShare

  • 40 Alden Street, Cranford, NJ 07016
  • (908) 276-9360
  • GriefShare - peer ministry; Florella Bentley (817) 614-8209

Meditation

Weekly 30 minute virtually led meditation session offered by Alyssa Reiner at the Jewish Family Services of Central New Jersey (JFSCNJ). Preregistration is required to obtain a link. Register by emailing Alyssa Reiner or call 908-352-8375. Meetings are Wednesdays, 11:00 am

Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19 Online

The uncertainty associated with a global health crisis like COVID-19 challenges everyone's ability to cope. This course will help you to build resilience and support yourself and others through this crisis by reviewing basic principles of providing psychological first aid, including how to recognize and manage stress in yourself and in others and how to lend support to family members, friends, and coworkers during and following the COVID-19 outbreak. Register for the class

NAMI Union County Family Support Group Meetings

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a 60-90 minute support group for adults (18+) with a mental health condition. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes.

Wednesdays at 12:00 pm and Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. Register online.

NAMI Spouse/Partner Support Group

Gain support and share with others who can relate to your personal experiences. The group will follow the NAMI Signature Family Support Group Model and will be run by two trained facilitators. Participants must pre-register and be 18 years or older. Attendance will be limited to 15 people. 

2nd Thursdays of the month. Register online.

RWJ Free Weekly Virtual Support Groups

RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing Program offers emotional support services, education and community-based resources for individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a variety of virtual services, this program aims to assist those impacted by the pandemic to better adjust to their new reality, mitigate stress, review options, develop coping strategies, and, if needed, find linkages to agencies, programs, and other resources in their community.

Virtual support groups are offered for children and families, college students, first responders, front line workers, seniors, college students, those with substance abuse issues. Details can be found on their website. 

Caring Contact Volunteer Listener Training

Our Volunteer Listener Training involves 54 hours of classroom instruction provided over the course of 12 weeks and over one full weekend. The course includes dynamic and interactive presentations by guest experts in active listening, grief recovery, mental health issues, and suicide intervention. You will develop the ability to listen actively, assess the needs of someone in crisis, and provide empathy and support. Volunteer Listener Training is taught by trainers who are long-time listeners and nationally certified instructors in Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. Submit Application