Navigating mental health challenges in our lives can sometimes feel daunting. Signs might start showing in different ways or might be hidden altogether. As outlined by Mental Health America this May in their National Mental Health Month "Back to Basics" toolkit, mental health shows you signs just like physical health. We all have days where we feel a bit sore, have a headache, or are extra tired. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re sick. You’re sick when something suddenly and significantly changes for the worse or prevents you from functioning properly. Mental health is similar – the occasional bad day is to be expected, but when things that used to be easily become a lot more difficult, something’s going on. Instead of [...]

This May for National Mental Health Month, Oaks strives to increase knowledge and awareness around mental health and its background. According to Mental Health America, most mental health conditions don’t have a single cause – they have many possible causes, called risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop a mental health condition in your lifetime. Mental health conditions can develop slowly, or symptoms can start to appear more suddenly after you’ve experienced a stressful event or big change. Risk Factors Risk factors don’t just affect who will and won’t develop a mental health condition. They also impact the seriousness of symptoms and when those symptoms will show up. Risk factors can [...]

The first step in helping a child experiencing abuse or neglect is learning to recognize the signs. During the month of April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM), a time to bring communities together to prevent the maltreatment of children and the importance of working to build a safe environment for all. According to the Child Maltreatment Report, approximately 2 million children received prevention services in 2021. The State of New Jersey recognizes four major types of maltreatment: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Physical abuse includes a nonaccidental physical injury caused by a parent or caregiver to a child, whereas sexual abuse is sexual activities performed by a caregiver to a child. Emotional abuse [...]

With all of us experiencing stress in different ways, tackling it can often feel like an individualized and personal task. However, stress can directly stem from family circumstances, making stress management something to be undertaken as a family. April is National Stress Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn about coping with life’s challenges and finding healthy outlets as a family. According to the National Library of Medicine, family stress is often caused by four main sources: marital dissatisfaction, home chaos, parental depressive symptoms, and job role dissatisfaction. Coping with negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, or fear, is more difficult for children, increasing the need for parental assistance for children handling stressful experiences. Common reactions to stressful events can [...]

With more than three million worldwide, social workers remain an integral part of helping navigate tough life challenges. March is Social Work Month, a time to celebrate the profession of social work and highlight its many positive contributions to society. The theme for this year is The Time is Right for Social Work, emphasizing the importance of these individuals as our nation continues to grapple with crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism and economic inequality. Our dedicated team of social workers at Oaks continue to make a difference every day. Chantelle McCormick, Program Director at Children’s Mobile Response (CMR), leads a team dedicated to responding to youth and families in a self-defined crisis situation. CMR offers in-home services [...]

Making a difference in someone else’s day can be as simple as a compliment or words of encouragement. This week, we celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, which recognizes the importance of sharing kindness and inspiring others with positivity. Spreading kindness starts with those close to you. Now is the perfect time to check in on your loved ones and show your support for one another. Day-to-day life can be stressful, and it’s important to know someone is there for you. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, Oaks Integrated Care can help. Our team offers services for children and adults designed to meet the needs of our community with compassion. To learn more, call [...]

Oaks Integrated Care proudly offers numerous services and programs throughout New Jersey to create impact, hope and change. In 2022, Oaks will continue to grow our initiatives to better serve and support our community. Medication Assisted Treatment  New Jersey has seen an increase in overdose rates within the past year partly due to the pandemic, but also due to the presence of fentanyl and other synthetic opiates that are much more lethal and present in the substances being used. Oaks offers compassionate services for individuals and families living with an addiction or co-occurring disorder (mental health and substance use disorder). In fall 2021, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded Oaks a grant to expand the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) [...]

Heading back to work or school after the holidays can sometimes feel overwhelming and stressful. Some of us might not have gotten a chance to take a breather, and the return to everyday life can take its toll. Kicking off the new year on the right foot can set the tone for the rest of the year. Check out these easy steps to reset your mind and body after the holiday season. Stay organized. Life can feel hectic after the excitement of the holidays, making staying on track with your goals extra important. Keep yourself organized with a planner or online calendar. Writing out your daily tasks, goals, and deadlines sets you up to stay on track at the [...]

“When day comes, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” After facing one of the most challenging years in our nation’s history, this quote by American poet and activist Amanda Gorman, summarized our feelings as we moved into 2021 following a global pandemic. Our mission to provide services to the most vulnerable members of our community became more important than ever. I’m proud to say with gratitude, that together - our dedicated employees, generous donors and valued partners - rose to the challenge. Our essential employees demonstrated resiliency, empathy and patience every day while keeping safety as the highest priority throughout the organization. Programs adapted to changes in the way we deliver services to ensure the individuals [...]

Recently, Oaks Integrated Care received a heartfelt letter from a mother who turned to Oaks when she fell on hard times. She believed her family would be torn apart but with the help of our programs and services, they were not only able to stay together, but thrive over the years. Charlene's Story “In 2017, I was living in a motel with my two young children. I was referred to Oaks Integrated Care’s Keeping Families Together program for assistance in finding affordable housing in a safe neighborhood. At the time, I also did not have access to a vehicle so the program staff made sure to provide me with transportation so I could get to appointments and shop for [...]