Mental Health Community Impact Zone - New Jersey

For many years, communities have used their deep understanding and experiences to overcome systemic barriers such as marginalization, poverty, and exclusion. These communities have developed innovative solutions to address their urgent needs and improve outcomes for themselves and others.

Community-led and community-designed initiatives are rooted in the identities, cultures, and languages of the communities they serve. Many of these initiatives aim to bridge the mental health access gaps that exist in under-resourced spaces. However, too often, these kinds of solutions are unfunded or underfunded, and communities are left without the capacity to implement or sustain them.

Recognizing these barriers, in 2024, Mental Health America and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. established our inaugural Community Impact Zone (CIZ-NJ) in Burlington County and the city of Trenton, New Jersey. This initiative is designed to uplift and amplify community-driven solutions. Through dedicated multi-year financial support and technical assistance, it aims to support long-term sustainability and break through systemic barriers that impede progress and mental health access.

To get started, visit mhanational.grantplatform.com. Once you have created an account, select ‘Start application’ under the Community Impact Zone – New Jersey opportunity.

The application is a 3-step process designed to be as simple as possible while ensuring MHA clearly understands your project/program proposal.

STEP 1: There are several eligibility requirements for grantees. To determine if your organization is eligible for this grant, you must first successfully complete the eligibility assessment.

STEP 2: After confirming your organization is eligible, you will be invited to submit a concept proposal, which will be reviewed to determine your alignment with the goals and objectives of the Community Impact Zone – New Jersey project. The concept proposal application will require organizations to respond to 12 short-answer questions about their proposed program or initiative. Concept proposals will be accepted from May 12 until June 13, 2025; they will be reviewed by July 1, 2025. All applicants will be notified of their outcome, regardless of whether they are selected to move forward.

STEP 3: Select concept proposal applicants will be invited by July 1, 2025 to submit a full written in-depth proposal, including a budget narrative, with a submission deadline of July 31, 2025. Awards will be announced by the end of August 2025.

Download the full grant process and timeline guidelines for a more detailed description of each phase and important information.

What mental health issue should our proposal focus on?

Concept proposals may address the New Jersey community assessment findings below or a different mental health or social access gap impacting your community.

New Jersey community assessment findings

Using data from MHA’s National Screening and Prevention Program, along with government health sources, MHA conducted a community assessment and identified five high-risk counties in New Jersey: Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, and Warren. These counties had the highest rates of residents screening at risk for mental health conditions, along with community-level challenges that contribute to elevated mental health risk compared to other counties in the state.

Key Findings

• Youth under 18 were more likely to screen at risk for mental health conditions than any other age group.
• Those identifying as LGBTQ+ screened at risk at higher rates than non-LGBTQ+ peers.
• Hispanic/Latino and Multiracial screeners consistently screened at risk for mental health conditions at higher rates than white screeners across all five counties.
• Respondents identifying as Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Multiracial, or Other were more likely to report household incomes below $80,000 than white respondents.
• These counties reported higher rates of suicidal ideation and financial distress compared to the state average.
• Screening data showed elevated risk for psychosis and PTSD in these areas.
• Average household income was consistently lower than the state average.
• Higher mental health risk correlated with poor educational outcomes, lower income, higher unemployment, and increased incarceration rates.
• Mental health risk was lower for individuals living in communities with higher rates of routine or preventive health care.
• Individuals in communities with higher rates of chronic conditions—including stroke, heart disease, COPD, and asthma—showed increased mental health risk.

Is my organization eligible?

Take a brief 20-question eligibility assessment to determine if your organization is eligible for funding.

I don’t meet all eligibility requirements, but I will in the next few months. Can I apply for funding?

No. Applicants must meet ALL eligibility requirements at the time they submit their concept proposal.

Are organizations limited to specific geographic areas for this grant program?

Yes. Concept proposals will only be considered for organizations with programs or proposed programs serving Atlantic County, Camden County, Essex County, Gloucester County, and/or Warren County, New Jersey. ZIP codes include: 07003, 07017, 07018, 07028, 07040, 07041, 07042, 07043, 07044, 07050, 07079, 07102, 07103, 07104, 07105, 07106, 07107, 07108, 07109, 07111, 07112, 07882, 08002, 08004, 08012, 08030, 08031, 08063, 08066, 08071, 08080, 08081, 08085, 08090, 08093, 08094, 08096, 08097, 08104, 08105, 08110, 08201, 08205, 08215, 08232, 08234, 08244, 08310, 08322, 08330, 08401, and 08865.

My organization is not currently serving Atlantic County, Camden County, Essex County, Gloucester County, and/or Warren County, New Jersey, but we want to expand our program into those areas. Can we apply?

Yes, you can apply if your concept proposal effectively demonstrates how you intend to reach these communities and your organization meets all the eligibility requirements.

Can organizations partner for this grant program?

Yes. Organizations can partner for this grant program. However, all partners must meet ALL the eligibility criteria. Additionally, only one concept proposal should be submitted for the partnership.

How do I access the concept proposal?

Once you complete the eligibility assessment and meet all the requirements for the grant program, you will receive an email with instructions to access the concept proposal.

The concept proposal allows for submissions via video, slide deck, or in writing. Is there a preference, and will they be evaluated differently?

No. There are different options so that each applicant can choose the format that is the easiest for them. However, we ask that each applicant choose one format to reply to all questions. Our evaluation criteria are standard regardless of format submitted.

What if I don’t qualify for this grant program but want to continue to engage with Mental Health America?

There are endless ways to engage with Mental Health America. Learn more about our work and how to get involved during Mental Health Month this May. For more direct questions, email info@mhanational.org.

I have additional questions. Who can I contact?

You can send an email to specialprojects@mhanational.org. We will do our best to respond within 48 business hours.