Reverend Rose Hardy, MA, CSW is the Senior Pastor for the Restoration Temple Ministries in New York City and the Mental Health Supervisor at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey. In this episode, Reverend Rose shares her insights about how faith, culture, and clinical practice can work together to support mental wellness. Drawing from her dual roles as a pastor and a mental health professional, she reflects on the challenges communities face in addressing emotional health, the stigma that often surrounds it, and the importance of compassionate, holistic care. She offers a thoughtful perspective on meeting people where they are—spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Hot Topics in Mental Health, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's (MHANJ's) Podcast, kicks off the New Year with a focus on one of today’s most essential mental health advocacy skills. In the first episode of 2026, host Merrill Altberg, Director of Communications, welcomes Ruth Kaluski, MS, CRC, LMHC, Statewide Director of Strategic Programs and Mental Health First Aid. Entitled, “What Mental Health First Aid Really Means,” this session features Ruth's real-world insights on why Mental Health First Aid matters and how it helps individuals and communities respond with confidence and compassion. This episode offers practical perspective for professionals, advocates, and anyone looking to better support others.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Divad Sanders is the Program Director of the Newark Community Street Team- Overdose Response Team and Harm Reduction Center.

In this episode, Divad shares how he and the ORT take a compassionate, community-trauma-data-based approach that prioritizes de-escalation, healing and building connections. He reveals why the most impactful work often happens one person, one conversation, one moment at a time.

Both Divad and the Newark Community Street Team are honorees for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s 25thAnnual Evening of Excellence.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.