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A controversial $48 million mental health initiative in NJ is on the chopping block after Gov. Mikie Sherrill called the initiative a wasteful “boondoggle.” The NJ4S program, which was meant to improve services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, drew criticism from many who said the expensive technology system failed to deliver the improvements families were promised. Sherrill’s administration now plans to shut the project down, arguing the system simply isn’t good enough to justify the massive cost. 

For many, the controversy highlights a larger issue: when government programs meant to support vulnerable communities fall short, it can deepen frustration and stress for the people who depend on them.

Read More: $48M ‘Boondoggle’ Set To Be Killed By N.J. Gov. ‘Not Good Enough,’ She Says (NJ.com)

Influencer Alix Earle recently shared that she’s been taking the antidepressant Lexapro since she was just 14 — and she’s not the only celebrity being open about mental-health medication. More public figures are now naming the exact medications they take, including antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft, as a way to reduce stigma and normalize treatment. Experts say this transparency can help people understand that medication is simply one tool among many for managing mental health, just like therapy or lifestyle changes.

Read More: Alix Earle Says She's Been On Lexapro Since Age 14. Why She And Other Celebrities Are Naming Their Antidepressants — And Reshaping Mental Health Culture (Yahoo!Life)

A new investigation by ProPublica found that many veterans who rely on mental-health care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are losing their therapists as hundreds of clinicians leave the system. Some veterans report being reassigned multiple times or waiting months for therapy, which can be especially harmful for people dealing with PTSD, depression, or anxiety after military service. Mental-health workers who left told reporters they were overwhelmed by heavier workloads, policy changes, and concerns that the system was making it harder to provide quality care. for veterans.

Read More: Veterans Who Depend on Mental Health Care Keep Losing Their Therapists Under Trump (ProPublica)

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