Carrier Clinic in Montgomery has recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a $40 million project aimed at providing mental health treatment to children and adolescents facing various challenges. The new addition to the Hackensack Meridian Health inpatient facility will encompass 43,000 square feet and feature 52 inpatient rooms, a family resource and support center, and an academic teaching center. This expansion will allow the clinic to lower the minimum treatment age from 12 to 7 and will enhance their capacity to educate physicians and mental health professionals.
Dr. Eric Alcera, Chief Medical Officer at Carrier Clinic, emphasized the urgency of addressing the escalating mental health issues affecting families and children across New Jersey. He expressed his belief that the expansion will play a crucial role in helping more children heal and potentially saving lives. Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support this need for expanded mental health services for youth. Both agencies have noted an increase in anxiety and depression rates among children and teenagers, even predating the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC has reported that over 20% of adolescents aged 13-18 have experienced a severe mental illness at some point in their lives.
Funding for this significant project was secured through a combination of state grants and private donations. State Sen. Andrew Zwicker and Assemblyman Roy Freiman secured $10 million in state grants for the project, while the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation generously provided a $10 million grant in March. This collaborative effort and financial support will ensure that Carrier Clinic can continue its essential work of providing quality mental health care to children and adolescents in need.
Hackensack Meridian Health officials are optimistic that this project will significantly enhance their ability to assist young individuals in crisis, particularly those experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, suicidality, and other psychiatric conditions.
The expansion at Carrier Clinic is set to revolutionize how young people receive mental health treatment across New Jersey by providing access to high-quality care closer to home.
This new initiative aims not only to provide immediate help but also promote long-term wellness by empowering families with resources such as counseling services, support groups, educational workshops on self-care practices like mindfulness meditation or stress reduction techniques.
The clinic’s academic teaching center will also enable physicians and mental health professionals to gain hands-on experience working with patients suffering from these conditions.
With funding secured through state grants
