Healthcare
On Jun 8, 2026
Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic has opened a $40 million, 43,000-square-foot expansion project in Belle Mead to treat children and adolescents facing a mental health crisis. The enhancement allows Carrier Clinic, a leader in treating adolescents with psychiatric and co-occurring disorders, to serve a greater number of children by lowering the age of patients to 7 years old from the current minimum age of 12.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for children 10 to 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even children younger than 10 are grappling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts. Nationwide, one-third of all Emergency Department visits at children’s hospitals are for suicide attempts. Many more experience acute anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Carrier alone has seen a nearly 30% increase in recent years in the number of youths admitted for treatment for mental illness or substance use disorder, or both.
The expansion features 52 inpatient beds for youths, The Cohen Community Resource & Education Center, innovative treatment models such as multi-sensory rooms, an academic teaching center and medical staff suite to expand the capacity to teach physicians and other mental health professionals.
“Even though the number of children and adolescents with mental health issues is increasing significantly, more than half do not receive adequate treatment,’’ said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “This project underscores our commitment to prioritizing child and adolescent mental health as a cornerstone of transforming health care. Thanks to the grants we received from our legislators, along with private donations and the generosity of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, today’s opening of the Carrier Clinic expansion shows the power of partnership in turning vision into reality and creating new pathways to hope for young people and their families.”
The project was funded by state grants and private donations. State Senator Andrew Zwicker and Assemblyman Roy Freiman sponsored resolutions to secure a total of $10 million in state funds, approved by Governor Phil Murphy.
A $10 million grant was also provided by The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, led by philanthropist Alex Cohen, to create a family resource and training center. The Cohen Community Resource & Education Center is available to all Hackensack Meridian Health team members, patients and the community, and will offer access to clinicians for questions, guidance in navigating issues and reducing and preventing readmissions, while also serving as a hub for the community to engage in educational seminars and training, such as mental health first aid training related to mental illness and substance use disorders.
One of the driving forces behind this project is the recognition that addressing mental health in childhood is crucial for preventing adult mental health crises. A significant percentage of mental health conditions emerge early in life, with nearly one-third of cases appearing before age 14 and almost half before age 18. Early and appropriate intervention can dramatically improve a child’s future quality of life.
“This opening marks a significant step forward in our commitment to youth mental health,” said Kenneth Esser, Executive Vice President of Behavioral Health Transformation Services, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Research continues to underscore the urgency of early, accessible care. We are proud to expand services that not only respond to crises, but proactively support young people and their families on the path to wellness. This new facility is a testament to what’s possible when leadership and community come together to prioritize mental health and ensure young people receive the care they need, when they need it.”
With a $100,000 grant from the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health, and a partnership with The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, the HMH plan entailed training non-behavioral-health nurses to better assess, evaluate, and treat or refer suicidal patients with whom they come into contact.
HMH also helped create the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative, a program that allows pediatricians to consult with an on-call psychiatrist, and which has grown to more than 1,100 provider members. More than 30,000 referrals to mental health experts have been made through the collaborative since its inception.
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