Press Release

October 17, 2006
Contact: Kaylyn Dines
Phone: (973) 972-3000
dineskd@umdnj.edu

UMDNJ Joins Essex County Executive’s Effort
to Combat Mental Health Disorders

CEDAR GROVE — Today mental health professionals from three schools of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey joined County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr. and Governor Jon Corzine during the opening of the Institute for Mental Health Policy, Research and Treatment.

Under the leadership of Essex County Executive DiVincenzo, the Institute for Mental Health Policy, Research and Treatment has been established as an academic division of the new Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove. To carry out the mission of the institute, six centers of excellence have also been created. The purpose of the Institute for Mental Health Research, Policy and Treatment is to improve access to quality mental health care services and to promote best practices in policy, research, technology and education.

“As a result of these new clinical-academic partnerships, a cadre of mental health professionals will combine their expertise while offering quality treatment programs, conducting research and serving as advocates for families,” said Dr. Robert Johnson, interim dean of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-New Jersey Medical School. “This interdisciplinary approach will focus on the holistic needs and wellness of the men, women and children who are in our care.”

Partnerships among five of New Jersey’s academic institutions are expected to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. In addition to treating consumers, the presence of the institute will expand services at the Essex County Hospital Center to include teaching, researching and training.

Partners at the institute are: the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the UMDNJ-School of Nursing; and Fairleigh Dickenson University School of Nursing, Felician College School of Nursing, Bayonne School of Nursing, and Essex County College.

The six centers of excellence are:
The Center for Mood Disorders will focus on the latest methodologies for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of mood disorders like severe depression and bipolar disorders.

The Center for Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders will enhance effective treatment and rehabilitative strategies to promote wellness and recovery of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective.

The Center for Medical and Metabolic Disorders will focus on the etiology and management of metabolic disturbances as well as the other medical co-morbidities of psychiatric disorders. Medical interventions that promote healthy lifestyles will be offered to reduce chronic medical problems, like diabetes and heart disease.

The Center for Workforce Development will promote a competent mental health workforce by training and educating current and future mental health care providers.

The Center for Mental Health Policy will access consumer needs and make relevant policy and budgetary recommendations to public and private agencies.

The Center for Technology Integration will foster continuous caring relationships between consumers and providers by electronically linking multiple service systems.

To arrange an interview with an administrator or mental health provider at UMDNJ, call Kaylyn Dines at 973-972-5000.

UMDNJ is the nation’s largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,500 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and a school of public health on five campuses. Annually, there are more than two million patient visits at UMDNJ facilities and faculty practices at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a statewide mental health and addiction services network.