Behavioral health and substance use remain critical public health issues in Trenton and Mercer County. In 2024, community survey respondents selected mental health as the leading community health priority for both children and adults, and it was a prominent theme in interviews and focus groups, according to the Greater Mercer Public Health Partnership Community Health Needs Assessment 2024. Participants identified depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, hoarding, and substance use as mental health challenges for community residents and noted that these challenges had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Capital Health Institute for Urban Care makes strategic efforts in developing programs and partnering with other community partners to increase access to culturally competent trauma-informed behavioral and mental health services. Capital Health now accepts Medicaid Managed Care in Trenton at Capital Health Primary Care – Brunswick Avenue, which helps providers to address the significant need for behavioral health services as part of the complex health care needs of the community. In 2018, a collaborative agreement was reached with Capital Health and Catholic Charities that integrates a behavioral health program at Capital Health Primary Care – Brunswick Avenue for use by primary care, surgery, and trauma service providers and their patients.