Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today announced that a behavioral health agency based in his district has received a $95,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its “PROUD to be Well” project.

The grant recipient, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Inc. (CSPNJ), is a peer-led behavioral health agency with centers throughout New Jersey.

“I am pleased to announce this federal grant which will help strengthen crucial mental health and recovery programs in our state,” Smith said. “Many adults who will benefit find themselves in a health care gap and are unable to receive proper medical care. That’s where groups like CSPNJ are stepping in to connect them with local health providers and offer them peer support.”

“‘PROUD to be Well’ will help us to promote good health and wellness for many people in NJ living with mental and substance use disorders who encounter co-occurring medical problems that impact the quality of their life and lifespan,” stated Dr. Margaret Swarbrick, PhD, director of the Wellness Institute at CSPNJ.

CSPNJ is a peer-led non-profit based in Freehold, NJ, with community wellness centers statewide providing behavioral health assistance, recovery support, housing, education and other services.

The HHS Center for Mental Health Services awarded CSPNJ the $95,000 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Service grant to help the agency train mentors in the “PROUD to be Well” project.

In their engagement with adult members of community wellness centers, the mentors can, with proper training, have a better understanding of the members’ medical needs and help them to seek regular care for co-occurring medical problems.

“Care of the whole person—mind and body—not only significantly improves one’s medical health and outlook but also opens the door to early intervention, while reducing possibly more expensive costs down the road,” Smith said.