Burlington County expands mental health and substance use prevention services with launch of Hope One for Youth, a new mobile support unit dedicated to serving the county's children and teens We have taken another important step towards achieving this goal.
The unit debuted Friday at the Bring Health Home Resource Fair held at the Burlington County Human Services Building. County officials said the addition is a game-changer in the county's fight against stigma surrounding drug use and mental health.
“Mental health is an important part of overall health, and mental health issues can affect all ages, including our youngest,” said Burlington County Commissioner Felicia Hopson, Department of Human Services. the person in charge said. “People with mental health conditions deserve support and care, not stigma and shame. Our board provides education and resources directly to communities and schools to help those in need. We prioritize helping people and those at risk, and Hope One for Youth reflects that commitment.”
Hope One for Youth is staffed by experts from the Burlington County Department of Human Services and the Burlington County Federation of Cities who visit local schools, youth group meetings, houses of worship, and community events to give presentations and provide age-appropriate training. Distribute materials and educate teens, children, and parents about mental health, substance use prevention, mental health, and stigma reduction.
Among the resources in this unit are interactive tabletop games designed to teach topics such as conflict resolution, anger management, and resilience, as well as fun iPad games and apps that focus on mindfulness and logic. included.
This unit is scheduled to perform at the following upcoming events.
May 10: Pemberton Township High School Wellness Day
May 11: Lenape High School takes on Stigma 5K.
June 7: Charles Street School Fitness Day in Palmyra
June 8: Nicky's Run at Mill Creek Road and Powell Road in Westampton.
The Hope One for Youth unit is supported by a $300,000 federal grant that funded the acquisition and equipment of the Hope One for Youth van and its staffing. The unit was created as an extension of the Hope One Mobile Outreach Unit, operated by the Burlington County Sheriff's Office in collaboration with staff from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Virtua Health, Maryville Addiction Treatment Center, and Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Ta. Hope One regularly travels to various communities across the county to provide training on the use of overdose antidotes, referrals to recovery services, and other resources to individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders.
More than 4,100 people were assisted by Hope One troops last year.
“Since its launch in 2019, Hope One has been making a difference in the fight against drug use by bringing resources to where people live and work. We hope to have a similar impact on children and teens across the country,” said Secretary Hopson.
State Sen. Troy Singleton, the sponsor of a new bill that would require mental health screenings and supports in schools, said the expansion of the Hope One program would address the need for mental health services for children and teens. He said that it would be useful in responding to the growing demand for
A recent study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that nearly 50% of U.S. adolescents have a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked the U.S. in 2021 among the nation's highest standards. An estimated 42% of people with mental illness have a mental health disorder. Students at the school suffered from feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and one in five considered suicide.
“The mental health of children and teens is a very real public health issue that requires us to take action and provide resources,” said Senator Singleton. said. “We are thrilled that Burlington County has taken this step to expand access to education and support services that help children and their parents recognize mental health symptoms and how to deal with them. , it also helps break down the stigma surrounding mental illness so that children are no longer afraid or embarrassed to seek help.”
Rep. Herb Conaway, who also helped write the school-based mental health testing bill, said the county's new mobile unit will help kids get the mental health support they need.
“Most of the things that cause people to have mental health issues can be addressed through early detection and treatment, so the county is reaching out everywhere we can to help people who may have mental health issues. I'm very pleased to see that we're expanding our range of services to find people who are 'suffering,''' said Rep. Conaway.
A comprehensive response to the opioid crisis
The Hope One expansion is part of the county's comprehensive response to the opioid crisis. These actions include a resolution by the County Commission declaring all of Burlington County to be bias-free and the creation of a campaign to dispel misconceptions about substance use disorders and other mental illnesses. Commissioners hope to raise awareness by eliminating stigma and encourage more residents to seek the help they need to overcome their situation.
Most recently, commissioners authorized the use of opioid settlement funds to purchase overdose emergency kits for Burlington County high schools and libraries. The kit resembles a wall-mounted automated external defibrillator cabinet but contains the overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly known as Narcan.
Currently, more than 120 emergency kits have been distributed to schools across the county, including schools in the Lenape Regional High School District, Burlington County Special Needs School District, Burlington Township, Bordentown Area, Delran, and Burlington City. , Palmyra, Maple Shade, Willingboro and Rancocas Valley regional districts.
Last summer, the Department of Human Services' Division of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services partnered with the Burlington County Traumatic Loss Coalition and Medford's Pines YMCA to host a free day camp for children affected by substance use disorders. did.
The camp program, known as “Camp Cardinal,” is scheduled to resume this summer.
“Burlington County is fighting to defeat this epidemic, one life at a time. We are making resources available and making it easy for residents to access prevention tools and assistance. ” Hopson said. “Substance use disorder is a disease that can be overcome, and Burlington County provides help, support and hope to those struggling with substance use disorder.”
