Help 24/7

suicidepreventionlifeline.org

If you are a teen in crisis, please go tell an adult you trust.  Just say something like, “I’m depressed (or however it is you’re feeling) and I think I need to talk to someone.” If you tell this to a teacher or someone who’s not your parent, you will likely get brought to a counselor type person that can help you find a way to talk to your parents about how you’re feeling.

If you’re afraid to tell your parents (and I understand, believe me – nobody likes to get their parents all worried) let me share something with you. Your parents, most likely, will be relieved to know that you can come to them when you’re feeling bad. It will help them to trust you more in the end.

But maybe you’re in a situation where you just can’t tell anyone you know. If that’s the case, call the number above – 1-800-273-TALK. Someone will listen and direct you to the right place to get help. It’s okay to call for a friend, too. You can feel better – and you deserve to feel better. So please pick up the phone.

If you’re worried about a friend, or your own child, the information below should be of some help.

For behavioral crisis:

The NJ Division of Child Behavioral Health Services (DCBHS) provides 24/7 access to mobile child crisis units.

877-652-7624

They can link you and your child to appropriate services or send a trained team of professionals to your home during a crisis.

For suicidal crisis:

If you fear your child is suicidal, act immediately.

Stay with your child and call your local emergency psychiatric screening unit (in your phone book). Below is a list of psychiatric screening centers by nj county. These centers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will provide a screening for your child and referral to the right level of care:

  • Atlantic: 609-344-1118
  • Bergen: 201-262-4357
  • Burlington: 609-835-6180
  • Camden: 856-428-4357
  • Cape May: 609-465-5999
  • Cumberland: 856-455-5555
  • Essex: 973-623-2323
  • Gloucester: 856-845-9100
  • Hudson: 866-367-6023
  • Hunterdon: 908-788-6400
  • Mercer: 609-989-7297
  • Middlesex: 732-235-5705
  • Monmouth: 732-923-6999
  • Morris: 973-625-0280
  • Ocean: 732-886-4474
  • Passaic: 973-470-3025
  • Salem: 856-299-3001
  • Somerset: 908-526-4100
  • Sussex: 973-383-0973
  • Union: 908-351-6684
  • Warren: 908-454-5141

For non-crisis situations:

If you’ve got insurance, it’s important to start with your insurance company to identify which providers are covered. There are plenty of excellent therapists in NJ, and many of them do accept payment from private insurances. Locally, (in and around Highland Park NJ) I recommend Affinity Counseling Group. I’ve always admired the work that they do with kids.

Sorry, but I am not currently taking referrals for new therapy clients.