Culturally Competent Mental Health Outreach Program

This project proposes the development of a Culturally Competent Mental Health Outreach Program that aims to bridge the gap between mental health services and the diverse communities in New Jersey. The program will involve training and hiring mental health professionals from various cultural backgrounds, as well as community health workers proficient in multiple languages. In addition, community outreach efforts, including educational workshops, support groups, and culturally tailored informational materials, will be implemented in neighborhoods with high immigrant and minority populations. The anticipated impact is to reduce mental health stigma, improve awareness, and increase the use of mental health services among these communities. This holistic approach will enhance the overall mental well-being of New Jersey's diverse residents by providing accessible and culturally sensitive support. $500,000 for the first year, covering the costs of hiring and training staff, community outreach efforts, development of multilingual resources, and rental of community spaces for workshops and support groups. Subsequent years will focus on program evaluation and expansion, with a projected annual operating cost of $350,000.