Department of Human Services | Frequently Asked Questions

***If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can access the Psychiatric emergency Screening Centers closest to your home (click here.) You can also call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.

***If you are thinking about suicide or want to help someone who is considering suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call or go to the nearest Psychiatric Emergency Screening Center closest to your home (click here). You can also call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.

How do I find mental health services in New Jersey?
How do I find a psychiatrist? Where do I go for a psychiatric or psychological evaluation?
Is there a place to learn more about my medications?
What is a Psychiatric Advanced Directive?
What are my rights as a patient in a psychiatric hospital?
What do I do if I feel I am or a family member is being mistreated in one of New Jersey’s State Psychiatric Hospitals?
How do I obtain Medical Records from New Jersey State Hospitals?
How do I find a job working for one of the State Hospitals or with the State of New Jersey?
How do I become a Certified Mental Health Screener in New Jersey?
I am moving to New Jersey. how do I set-up mental health services in New Jersey?
How do I find mental health services for someone less than 18 years of age?
How do I find mental health housing in New Jersey?
Where do I find consumer-operated Self-Help Centers in New Jersey?
How do I get information about disability benefits due to mental illness?

How do I find mental health services in New Jersey?
If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance company for a list of mental health providers that are in your network.

If you are uninsured or have Medicaid, you can contact your local outpatient community mental health center. You can click here to access this information, by county.
How do I find a psychiatrist? Where do I go for a psychiatric or psychological evaluation?
If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance company for a list of psychiatrists or psychologists that is in your network.

If you are uninsured or have Medicaid, you can contact your local outpatient community mental health center. You can click here to access this information, by county.
Is there a place to learn more about my medications?
DMHS has posted the Medication Manual on the website. However, it is not intended to replace a frank and detailed discussion about the proposed medication between the prescribing clinician and the consumer (and guardian, if applicable). The information given is not exhaustive and does not attempt to cover every issue involving a given medication. If you have questions or concerns about medication you are taking, it is always best to contact the prescribing clinician to discuss the specific issue. You can view the medication manual by clicking here.
What is a Psychiatric Advanced Directive?
Please click here to go to the Psychiatric Advance Directives for Mental Health Care page.
What are my rights as a patient in a psychiatric hospital?
Click here to review your rights.
What do I do if I feel I am or a family member is being mistreated in one of New Jersey’s State Psychiatric Hospitals?
If you believe you or a family member is being mistreated in one of New Jersey’s State Psychiatric Hospitals, please click here for more information or call the Patient Services Compliance Unit at 1-888-490-8413.

How do I obtain Medical Records from New Jersey State Hospitals?

In order to obtain medical records from a New Jersey State Hospital, you will need to contact the Medical Records Department of the hospital and inquire about their process for obtaining records:

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital
Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
Ann Klein Forensic Center
Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital

(609) 561-1700
(973) 538-1800
(609) 777-0677
(609) 633-1500
(609) 633-0900
(609) 777-0663

How do I find a job working for one of the State Hospitals or with the State of New Jersey?
One can find out about jobs available with the State of New Jersey by contacting the state hospitals (click here) or the State of New Jersey Employment page.
How do I become a Certified Mental Health Screener in New Jersey?
In order to become a Certified Mental Health Screener in New Jersey, you must be employed by a state-funded Psychiatric Emergency Screening Center and meet the educational qualifications. You can access information about N.J. Psychiatric Emergency Screening Centers by clicking here.
I am moving to New Jersey. how do I set-up mental health services in New Jersey?
The Division of Mental Health Services publishes a list of state-funded community mental health agencies that provide mental health treatment in New Jersey. The Integrated Case Management Services in each county may be your best first contact to determine what services are available in the county you are moving to. This directory can be accessed, by county, by clicking here.
How do I find mental health services for someone less than 18 years of age?
The Department of Children and Family Services, Child Behavioral Health Division now manages mental health services for children under 18 years of age. More information about behavioral and mental health services for children is available on their website.
How do I find mental health housing in New Jersey?
DMHS contracts with and provides funding to residential and supportive housing providers in each county. these services are listed in our publication of services under Homeless Services, residential services and Supportive Housing. This list is available by clicking here.

For more information on available affordable housing, please visit the N.J. Housing Resource Center for a listing of available rental units and landlords.
Where do I find consumer-operated Self-Help Centers in New Jersey?
New Jersey funds 32 consumer-operated Self-Help Centers with at least one in each of the twenty-one counties. one of the Self-Help centers is on the grounds of Ancora Psychiatric Hospital. To view a listing of these Self-Help centers, please click here.
How do I get information about disability benefits due to mental illness?
In New Jersey, to apply for Social Security Disability, you need to work through your local county Board of Social Services. This information can be found at the following link:

County Welfare Agencies (Board of Social Services)

For more information on Federal programs, please access this link:

http://www.usa.gov/