Mental & Behavioral Health
We Are Here for You
At the Raritan Bay Area YMCA we understand a vital part of healthy living and youth development is mental and emotional well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 1 in 5 youth and adults have reported they experience significant mental health challenges, with increased numbers among non-majority populations such as Latino/Latinx, those living with lower income, developmental or physical disabilities.
We are proud to bridge the gap in mental wellness as we seek to play a positive role in improving access to quality mental and behavioral health services. See below and let us know if we can help you. Should you have a need not addressed in our current programming, feel free to reach out and we will try and connect you to the best resources for you.
CONTACT US:
For more information on the Raritan Bay Area YMCA Mental & Behavioral Health Services, please complete the form below OR contact Alejandrina Batista, abatista@rbaymca.org, 732-442-3632 ext. 6514.
OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
Intensive In-Community Counseling Services
For children, youth and teens struggling with mental, emotional and behavioral health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, school refusal. The RBAYMCA’s Licensed Mental Health Clinicians offer counseling to children & families throughout Middlesex County on a weekly basis.
The services provided include:
- Resources and support
- Problem-solving skills and coping skills
- Therapeutic intervention to address family conflicts
- Parenting education and developmental guidance
- Skill-building to enhance self-esteem and self-confidence
Mental Wellness Services for Older Adults (Ages 60+)
We offer comprehensive mental health services for older adults (60+), including wellness checks, evidence-based screenings for anxiety and depression, and individual or group therapy with licensed clinicians. The program connects participants with resources to address barriers such as transportation and technology use, while also providing bilingual support for Spanish speakers. Through partnerships with local organizations and personalized treatment plans, the YMCA empowers older adults to improve their mental well-being and maintain lasting community connections.
Bridges to Employing Youth Program (Ages 16-24)
At its best Pregnancy and Parenting presents challenges. Pair this with being a teen or young adult, and it can feel almost impossible at times. This program is open to all 16-24 year old pregnant or parenting NJ youth, currently not enrolled in school. Bridges supports the career and academic growth of participants through a 20-week program. Applicants can be male, or female identified but must be parenting.
Families Fit Together (Youth in Grades 7-10)
For youth in 7th-10th grade who present any risk factors for juvenile justice engagement, this program supports prevention efforts through community service, leadership training and a 14-week youth and family counseling curriculum.
Inclusive Summer Camp (Ages 6-12)
Please be advised that participation in our inclusive summer camp program requires youth to have already completed registration with the NJ Children’s System of Care (PerformCare). The criteria and determination of eligibility is at PerformCare's discretion. For eligibility details, please contact PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624. Parents do have the option to extend the length of camp participation beyond the two weeks but will be responsible for all camp dues.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an evidenced based low-cost, high impact program that helps young people, families and those who engage with them, understand mental health and substance use problems are real, common, and treatable and that it is OKAY to ask for help.
YMHFA is an in-person training program- like traditional First Aid or CPR- designed to give participants the skills and confidence to help children who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing an emotional crisis.
This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to recognize and respond to warning signs and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care. This program has been demonstrated to:
- Increase knowledge of mental health/substance use problems
- Increase confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress
- Decrease stigma
Resources
The resources below offer support and services for behavioral health:
| NAME OF RESOURCE Please click on the name to view website. |
Type of Support Provided |
| NAMI NJ | NAMI Family Support Group is a 60-minute support group for adult friends and family members (18+) of people with mental health conditions. Participants gain support from peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. |
| NJCMO is a collection of 15 CMO's in NJ. It was formed to: Encourage collaboration and cooperation among all CMOs, Educate the community on the role of the CMO and how we help youth and families, Assist youth and families connect to needed resources, Provide a broader voice across the state of CMOs. NJCMOs provide services for Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Developmental Disabilities, Court Involvement and Trouble in School | |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | Online 12-Step Resources and Meetings |
| Narcotics Anonymous |
Find NA meetings, inpatient treatment and/or group therapy & support. |
| The Addiction Recovery Guide | Guide to various online/chat meetings for AA, NA, etc. |
| Online Group AA Meetings | Group AA meetings |
| In the Rooms: A Global Recovery Community | Global online community with over 500,000 members who share their strength and experience with one another daily through live meetings, discussion groups, and all the other tools |
| LifeRing | Organization of people who share practical experiences and sobriety support based on the idea that there are many ways to live free of drugs and alcohol as there are stories of successful sober people. |
