Lautenberg Joins DiVincenzo, Local Leaders and Doctors to Announce New Funding for Mental Health Care in Essex County
Money Will Allow Patients to Get Care in Communities, Close to Families, Not Become Dependent on E-R

CEDAR GROVE, NJ – Today, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg joined Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, local leaders and doctors to announce $608,477 in new funding to build a state-of-the-art video conference network for patients and doctors at Essex Hospital Center.  The network will allow doctors to talk with their mental health patients across the County, in real time and in their communities.

“Essex County residents and their families need access to quality care where they work and where they live.  The resources we delivered today are going to help make that happen,” Senator Frank R. Lautenberg said.  “Improvements in delivery of patient care will make real differences in the lives of those treated here in Cedar Grove and across Essex County.  This grant helps make sure patients have access to mental health care they need when and where they need it.”

One in four adults suffers from a mental health disorder, such as depression or schizophrenia.  In Essex County alone, 200,000 people need mental health care.  Instead of coming into the hospital, the funds Sen. Lautenberg secured will allow mental health patients to talk with their doctor by visiting one of 15 community-based mental health centers.  This will reduce the number of emergency room visits and help keep patients near their homes, families and support systems.

“We thank Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez for securing this appropriation to enhance our patient services. Utilizing video conferencing is an innovative way to use technology to enhance the mental health care received by our patients and will help us tremendously in helping patients re-integrate themselves in the community,” Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo said.

These funds are the latest increase Sen. Lautenberg has secured to improve health care in Essex County.  He also delivered:

• $600,000 to modernize the East Orange General Hospital’s emergency room. 
• $143,000 for St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark to educate minority women about the risk of heart disease.

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