Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
While New Jersey has expanded services for its 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline in recent years, funding has not kept pace. Advocates say they are on a quest to offer more help.
“We received -- just in June alone -- over 10,000 calls to our 988 call centers,” Valerie Mielke, a Department of Human Services deputy commissioner, told NJ Spotlight News. Those in need of help can call, text or chat with the service free of charge. When warranted, trained teams can be dispatched to offer resources in person.
About 28% of New Jersey adults report symptoms of anxiety or depression. Roughly half have been diagnosed with depression, according to state health data.
“We have responded to over 1,300 individuals in just over a year alone,” said Mielke, who oversees a department area that addresses addiction and mental health needs, including the hotline.
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NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi is a nightly news program that airs weekdays on NJ PBS that covers local New Jersey news. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood: bit.ly/32zwJDT
NJ Spotlight News airs every weeknight at 6:30, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJ PBS.
While New Jersey has expanded services for its 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline in recent years, funding has not kept pace. Advocates say they are on a quest to offer more help.
“We received -- just in June alone -- over 10,000 calls to our 988 call centers,” Valerie Mielke, a Department of Human Services deputy commissioner, told NJ Spotlight News. Those in need of help can call, text or chat with the service free of charge. When warranted, trained teams can be dispatched to offer resources in person.
About 28% of New Jersey adults report symptoms of anxiety or depression. Roughly half have been diagnosed with depression, according to state health data.
“We have responded to over 1,300 individuals in just over a year alone,” said Mielke, who oversees a department area that addresses addiction and mental health needs, including the hotline.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily videos: bit.ly/1ERsYqw
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits
Sign up for our daily newsletter: njspotlightnews.org/newsletters
Follow NJ Spotlight News:
Facebook: facebook.com/njspotlightnews
Instagram: instagram.com/njspotlightnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/njspotlightnews.org
TikTok: tiktok.com/@njspotlightnews?_t=8VUNKN33vpu&_r=1
-----------------
While NJ PBS does not and cannot review every submission and is not responsible for the content of your comments, NJ Spotlight News reserves the right to delete, remove, move, or edit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate or unacceptable for any reason.
-----------------
NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi is a nightly news program that airs weekdays on NJ PBS that covers local New Jersey news. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood: bit.ly/32zwJDT
NJ Spotlight News airs every weeknight at 6:30, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJ PBS.
