Mental Health First Aid Kit
Mental health challenges can impact anyone. The Mental Health First Aid Kit provides local, state and national resources to help you or someone you know find support.
Crisis Resources
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Second Floor Youth Helpline
- Crisis Text Line
- Trevor Project
- NAMI Teen & Young Adult HelpLine
Statewide Resources
Ocean County Resources
- Ocean County Mental Health Resource Directory
- Ocean County CIACC Resource Guide
- Ocean County Health Department Adolescent Resource Guide
Essex County Resources
- PCE Community Resource Guide
- NJ Department of Human Services Directory of Mental Health Services in Essex County
- Essex Resource Net – Behavioral and Mental Health Locator
Mental health is part of our daily lives. By taking small steps each day, you can improve the quality of your mental health over time and create healthy practices to help you manage daily stress and anxiety.
Resources
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (for adults)
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (for adults) – Spanish
- teen Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (for teens)
- teen Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (for teens) – Spanish
- Box Breathing Technique
Everyday Mental Health Practices
- Practice breathing exercises, such as box breathing, to help you relax
- Write affirmations or mantras and carry them with you or post them in a place you’ll see regularly
- Create a music playlist that helps you feel calm in stressful moments or maintain a sense of peace throughout the day
- When you feel stressed, try making lists of three or more things you are grateful for
- Find and save your favorite mindfulness or meditation practices that you can incorporate into a daily routine or use to regain a sense of calm or focus your mind
Physical health is an important part of our mental health. By developing healthy daily practices, you can maintain an overall healthy well-being.
Tips for an Overall Healthy Lifestyle
- Exercise regularly
- Eat balanced and nutritious meals
- Get quality sleep for eight hours a night
- Spend time outside and away from screens
- Schedule an annual wellness visit with your provider
- Talk to your provider about your mental health
The Mental Health First Aid Kit is developed by the Mental Health Awareness Training Program, part of the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery. For more information about the Mental Health Awareness Training Program, please contact Brian Preiser at brian.preiser@rwjbh.org.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 9-1-1.