Since 2001, the New Jersey Mental Health Institute, Inc.'s (NJMHI's) Changing Minds, Advancing Mental Health for Hispanics program has developed numerous items related to enhancing knowledge of how to increase access to and the provision of quality mental health services for Hispanics, as well as heightening awareness, acceptance and understanding of mental illness among the Hispanic population. Now, due to popular demand, NJMHI is packaging these items in a toolkit titled, Enhancing Mental Health Services for Hispanics.
The kit is available as a whole or `a la carte, with the price depending upon the items selected. Available toolkit items include:

1.) Comprehensive In-Depth Literature Review and Analysis of Hispanic Mental Health Issues with Specific Focus on Members of the Following Ethnic Groups: Cubans, Dominicans, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. This report, available in English and Spanish, summarizes and analyzes professional literature surrounding studies on barriers to care, utilization of mental health services, and clinical best practices. It also provides a historical overview of each aforementioned group and discusses issues relevant to each group that may contribute to the views of mental health by members of that group.

2.) Model Mental Health Program for Hispanics Report, which contains recommended steps for mental health agency administrators and direct service providers to utilize in order to better attract and retain Hispanics in mental health services.

3.) A training video titled, Salud Mental: Crossing the Cultural Divide within Mental Healthcare, which is based on NJMHI's Model Mental Health Program for Hispanics Report. This 30+ minute training video aims to assist mental health agency administrators and direct service providers in better serving Hispanics in their mental health program and focuses on six key areas: Program Environment, Outreach and Educational Awareness Activities, Organizational Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Program Staffing, Program Delivery System/Treatment Availability, and Clinical Treatment Programs.

4.) An educational brochure titled, Mental Health: Learn the Facts, a four-panel, double-sided brochure in English and Spanish geared to the Hispanic population aimed at demystifying beliefs within the Hispanic community about mental illness, increasing Hispanics' knowledge of depression, schizophrenia and anxiety, and of available treatments within the mental health community; and at informing Hispanics where to go for assistance within their local community.

5.) Mom and Son: When Nothing Feels Like It's Going Right Print and Television Public Education Campaign. In addition to supporting the goals referenced above, the campaign materials aim to reduce the stigma associated with utilizing mental health services among the Hispanic population. The campaign package consists of a broadcast quality, high impact, high profile 60-second PSA in English and in Spanish for television viewing, and print material (i.e., posters and fact sheets) in English and Spanish. To date, the NJMHI has received an estimated $7 million dollars worth of free airtime from media outlets in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania (the nation's largest media market), which has contributed to a rise in the number of Hispanics in those areas seeking mental health services. To view the PSA, please visit http://www.njmhi.org.

6.) Directory of Multicultural Agencies, an easy-to-use and build upon directory developed for the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health Service, Office of Multicultural Services. The directory features a listing of all mental health programs in the State of New Jersey, broken down by county, and includes a listing of the services provided by each agency. In addition, the language(s) in which clinical (e.g., social workers, mental health counselors, psychologists) and medical (e.g., psychiatrists, and nurses) personnel can provide services are also provided. Furthermore, the directory includes a listing of public and private social service organizations and the services they provide with specific attention to organizations providing services to African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanics. The directory also includes a listing of civic organizations and associations dedicated to advancement for members of these racial and ethnic groups.

A sample kit may include:

Item: Quantity:
Comprehensive Literature Review and Analysis of Hispanic Mental Health Issues with Specific Focus on Members of the Following Ethnic Groups: Cubans. Dominicans, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans 5 copies
Model Mental Health Program for Hispanics Report 5 copies
Salud Mental: Crossing the Cultural Divide within Mental Healthcare Training Video 5 copies
Mental Health: Learn the Facts Educational brochure 100 copies in English and 100 in Spanish
Print Material from Mom and Son: When Nothing Feels Like It's Going Right Public Education Campaign 10 Posters in English and 10 in Spanish. 100 Fact Sheets in English and 100 in Spanish
Directory of Multicultural Agencies in New Jersey 1 copy on CD
Total Cost: $1,000

The toolkit can also be purchased with additional quantities of specific items, and with the television public service announcement (PSA) customized to include your organization's logo and contact information at the end. This expanded package is available for an additional $4,500, and will also include a listing of all television media outlets in your community and/or state for you to send the product to, as well as a sample letter to mail requesting that the station air the product. To view the referenced PSA, please click the appropriate link PSA in English or PSA in Spanish.
For more information on the Enhancing Mental Health Services for Hispanics toolkit, or on any of the individual products listed above,
please call

Henry Acosta, NJMHI Deputy Director, and Changing Minds,
Advancing Mental Health for Hispanics Program Director,
at (609) 838-5488, ext. 205 or email hacosta@njmhi.org.