While money watchers expect a reduction in state spending and financial belt-tightening, a leading expert on behavioral healthcare offered this advice — spend wisely. “Despite an anticipated budget tightening year ahead, it is imperative that the New Jersey Administration make significant increases in behavioral healthcare funding a top priority for the FY2026 State Budget,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA). Wentz voiced her concern as the association launched Untold Stories, a campaign to demonstrate why these funding increases must be made to curtail unprecedented numbers of children, youth and adults experiencing anxiety, depression and other disorders, and with greater acuity. A NJAMHAA statement noted the capacity of providers is limited by the workforce it employs, a workforce challenged by vacancies, high turnover and non-competitive wages. “While much has been written about the national mental health crisis and, in particular, the youth mental health crisis, there are so many more untold stories of those directly and indirectly impacted. The families, colleagues, communities and, just as often, the state’s bottom line, are affected,” Dr. Wentz said. “The unmet needs of those with mental health and/or substance use disorders not only lead to greater costs due to increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations, incarcerations, and life-long comorbidities, but also to a direct reduction in revenue from those who no longer maintain employment and instead receive social service benefits,” she explained. Wentz pressed for full investment in the mental well-being of citizens, believing that money well spent can help produce positive outcomes. To view the Untold Stories campaign, visit https://www.njamhaa.org/advocacy-resources.