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Mercer County Division of Mental Health
ALTERNATE NAME
Mercer County Office of Mental Health
ADDRESS
640 S. Broad St., PO Box 8068
Trenton, NJ 08650
PHONE
609-989-6574
FAX
609-989-6032
INTERNET ADDRESS
ADMINISTRATOR
Marc A. Celentana, PhD, Mental Health Administrator
CONTACT NAME
Deborah Vitella, Administrative Assistant
DESCRIPTION
A county government agency, administered by the Mercer
County Department of Human Services, which monitors state
and county funding and provides planning and evaluation in the
area of mental health services (adults and children). The division
administers contracts in these areas in conjunction with other
Mercer County Department of Human Services offices, and in
liaison with various state agencies. This agency is the
administrative arm of the Mercer County Mental Health Board.
PROGRAMS
Mercer County Traumatic Loss Prevention Services (TLPS):
staffed by a Project Coordinator, provides a coordinated
response to traumatic loss incidents in Mercer County. Part of
this response includes suicide prevention awareness, education
and outreach assistance for parents, professionals and the
general community. TLPS oversees Traumatic Loss Coalition
(TLC) of Mercer County
Traumatic Loss Coalition (TLC) is a voluntary group of
professionals, community membeers and involved residents
formed in 1995 as a result of a series of tragic losses including
a number of serial suicides among teenagers that occurred in
Mercer County. Current membership is comprised of many
different sectors of the community - law enforcement,
education systems, mental health professionals, private
agencies, public officials, university researchers, hospitals, local
health departments, members of the clergy and others. TLC
meets monthly to discuss traumatic events with particular
impact on youth and teenagers and to identify the potential for
increased cooperation and collaboration for improved response
in future incidents. Conferences covering various topics such as suicidal risk-
assessment for youth, compassion fatigue for caregivers and
coordinating the aftermath of a traumatic event.
Technical assistance to interested school systems and
municipalities to help make their crisis response systems more
effective
Media training on reporting traumatic loss events appropriately
in order to avoid a contagion effect.
Children's Interagency Coordinating Council (CIACC): County
CIACCs were established in 1991 as a statewide youth incentive
program by the NJ Dept. of Human Services. The Mercer
CIACC advises county government and the N.J. Department of
Children and Families on local behavioral health needs., under
the auspices of the Mercer County Dept. of Human Services,
and is comprised of system partners, community agencies,
parents and other concerned citizens. Participation in the
CIACC serves to maintain a responsive, accessible and
integrated system of care for children with special emotional
and/or behavioral health needs.
SUBJECTS
Mental Health Care and Services
Advocacy
LAST UPDATED
4/08