PRINCETON NJ Announcement

Pennington, NJ — February 2, 2026 — CONTACT of Mercer County, NJ, announced today the statewide relaunch of The CONTACT Listening Line, expanding free, confidential access to emotional mental health support throughout New Jersey, to assist residents, regardless of income, insurance status, or geographic location.

The CONTACT Listening Line is a warmline telephone service that offers compassionate listening, mental health resources, and problem-solving for those who may find themselves in crisis but may not have suicidal ideation or are at risk of harming themselves. This includes feelings of loneliness, being overwhelmed, and facing stress.

"With the relaunch of the CONTACT Listening Line, we are reaffirming a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves to be heard," said Tony Ciavolella, Associate Executive Director of CONTACT. "Too often, people struggle in silence because they don't know where to turn or are unsure of how they'll be received. The CONTACT Listening Line does not discriminate and exists for those moments — when someone just needs a caring human connection."

CONTACT is also a New Jersey 988 Suicide Lifeline center, providing telephone, chat, and text service for residents throughout the state who are facing a mental health crisis and considering suicide.

Statewide Access Without Barriers

By expanding the CONTACT Listening Line statewide, CONTACT removes many of the traditional barriers to emotional support. There is no requirement for insurance, referrals, or formal diagnoses. Callers are not asked to justify their feelings or meet a threshold of distress to be heard.

This expanded access is particularly critical for residents in underserved areas, where mental health resources may be limited or difficult to reach. It also serves caregivers, individuals living alone, and those facing chronic stress, who may experience isolation but hesitate to seek formal mental health services.

"For many people, picking up the phone to call a crisis hotline can feel intimidating," Tony added. "The Listening Line offers a different kind of support — one that meets people where they are, without pressure, labels, or expectations. The core principles for CONTACT are empathy, active listening, non-judgment, respect, and confidentiality."

 

 

A Preventive Approach to Emotional Wellness

The CONTACT Listening Line plays an important role in early intervention and suicide prevention by offering support before challenges escalate into crises. Research consistently shows that loneliness and emotional isolation are significant risk factors for mental health distress. By providing a safe space for connection, the Listening Line helps reduce isolation and supports overall emotional well-being.

Service Details

The CONTACT Listening Line is available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and can be reached at (609) 737-3300. All calls are confidential and free of charge. Residents interested in learning more about the Listening Line or volunteer opportunities are encouraged to visit www.contactofmercer.org

---

Founded in 1975, CONTACT has touched the lives of thousands of residents from Mercer County, the State of New Jersey, and beyond through its free, nonjudgmental, and confidential services. CONTACT is part of the New Jersey Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, through telephone, chat, and text lifeline programs, an active listening warmline, and a daily wellness telephone listening line check-in service for Mercer County seniors feeling lonely or isolated. CONTACT has helped countless people who find themselves in their darkest moments feel connected by providing someone to listen to them. For more information about CONTACT, please visit: contactofmercer.org.