Rutgers National Call Center Continues to Provide Mental Health Support

Helplines are available to assist people managing unique life stressors    

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, New Jersey residents, military personnel and veterans nationwide can continue to seek support from confidential peer support helplines operated by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention reports that people with mental health conditions and other vulnerabilities are responding most strongly to COVID-19 concerns.

“There is hope and help, and our National Center for Peer Support remains fully operational to support you,” said Mark Graham, executive director of the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care National Call Center. “Know you are not alone and one of our 150 peer support specialists is available to be on this journey with you for as long as it takes.”

All helplines are 24/7 unless otherwise noted:

Vets4Warriors is a national peer support service for veterans, military service members and their families and caregivers. It is staffed by trained veterans, members of the military community and their families and caregivers who offer immediate assistance on any issue and provide the best resources across the country. 855-838-8255, vets4warriors.com

Mom2Mom is a peer support service to address the behavioral health challenges of caring for a special needs child, with developmental disabilities, autism, mental health issues or medical conditions. The service offers peer support counseling, assessments, a specialized provider network and resilience and support groups. 877-914-6662, mom2mom.us.com

Care2Caregivers offers peer support for anyone caring for a person with memory loss such as Alzheimer’s, dementia or a related disorder. Compassionate and professionally trained staff who have also been family caregivers provide resources, education, referrals, coaching, tips on coping and help negotiating community resources. Experienced caregivers provide regular follow-up to families. Available Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 800-424-2494, care2caregivers.com

NJ Vet2Vet is a peer support service for New Jersey veterans, National Guard and Reserve service members and their families and caregivers. The peer counselors are veterans who understand the challenges faced by veterans, service members and their families. It provides resources, referrals, clinical assessments and case management. 866-838-7654, njvet2vet.com

Cop2Cop is a confidential peer support service for New Jersey law enforcement officers and their families. The Cop2Cop Peer counselors are retired officers and licensed clinicians who provide peer counseling, assessments, specialty Cop2Cop network referrals and critical incident stress management services. 866-267-2267, njcop2cop.com

NJ Peer Recovery is a peer support line available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for qualified Horizon NJ Health members living with a substance use disorder. Callers can talk to a trained peer support specialist who can help to create a personal wellness plan, offer support, information and connection to recovery and wellness resources, including treatment. 833-422-2765, njpeerrecovery.com

Worker2Worker is a confidential peer support service for employees of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency who are routinely exposed to highly stressful situations where the welfare of children is at stake. The peer counselors, specially trained retired DCP&P workers, offer peer counseling, assessments, provider referrals and critical incident stress management services. The line is open 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. 855-327-7482

AID-NJEA is a confidential helpline for school staff members and their families experiencing distress at work or home. The helpline is staffed by active and retired educators and school counselors trained to provide peer support, guidance, information and resources to colleagues. The line is open Monday to Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. Mental health professionals are available 24/7. 1-866-243-6532, njea.org/aid-njea-can-help