NJTV'S The State Of NJ's Health: Living In Sandy's Shadow Premieres Wednesday, October 29 At 8pm

TOMS RIVER, N.J., Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, announced the fourth taping in its health-themed town hall series, The State of NJ's Health: Living in Sandy's Shadow.  The hour-long program, recorded at Ocean County Community College in Toms River, will broadcast Wednesday, October 29 at 8pm on NJTV (check local listings).  

The program will also be available online at:  http://www.njtvonline.org/programs/the-state-of-njs-health/.

Moderated by NJTV News Senior Correspondent Mike Schneider, this discussion explores the long-lasting psychological impact of Hurricane Sandy on Garden State residents who live in some of the hardest-hit communities.  The storm from two years ago has left lasting emotional scars, fatigue and frustration as individuals cope with rebuilding and re-engagement in their communities.  Many are still seeking help for the after-effects; some still don't know where to turn. 

The State of NJ's Health: Living in Sandy's Shadow aims to raise awareness of the personal, traumatic after-effects of the storm, and serve as a source of information for community resources both on-air and online.  An intimate panel of experts and hurricane survivors explores the challenges and potential solutions to ease the psychological burden during such disasters.

Experts in The State of NJ's Health: Living in Sandy's Shadow panel will include:  

• Dr. Christine Hatchard, Director of the Clinical Psychology Research Center at Monmouth University
• Patrick Murray, Director, Monmouth University Polling Institute
• Rachel Alvarez, Program Manager Barnabas Health, Institute For Prevention
• Renee Bruwaski, Director of the Office for Sandy Recovery at the NJ Department of Human Services, NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (Division)
• Adrienne Fessler-Belli, Director Disaster & Terrorism Branch, NJ Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services
• Dr. Steven Kairys, Pediatrician, Meridian Health Care Systems
• Thomas Kelaher, Mayor of Toms River

The State of NJ's Health: Living in Sandy's Shadow is a production of NJTV and is made possible by major funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

After viewing the program, viewers can consult community resources on the series' program page.

The first town hall episode of the series, The State of NJ's Health: Growing Healthy Kids, discussed the topic of childhood obesity. It aired in March of this year and was recorded at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey.  The second, Healthcare Hot Spots, which aired in June from Rutgers in Piscataway, examined local access to primary health care in the era of the Affordable Healthcare Act. The third, Overcoming Childhood Trauma, aired in August and dealt with urban environment stress in children.

Find out more about The State of NJ's Health at NJTVonline.org and on Facebook and Twitter using hashtag #SandyStress.  Photos available on the NJTV pressroom.

About NJTV
NJTV, New Jersey's public television station, brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to New Jersey and its tri-state neighbors. NJTV presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, American Masters, Charlie Rose, and BBC World News America and a range of documentaries and children's programs.  NJTV offers an array of local news and cultural offerings on air and online including On the Record with Michael Aron, Driving Jersey, NJDocs, Due Process, One-on-One with Steve Adubato, Classroom Close-Up NJ andState of the Arts. The network's flagship news broadcast, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams, features stories from across the Garden State.   NJTV complements its growing news staff by partnering with state-wide media and higher education institutions. NJTV is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the NJTV website where users can stream PBS content for free and local educators can find free, classroom-ready, digital resources.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the largest private foundation in New Jersey and the nation's largest philanthropy working to improve the health and health care of all Americans. We are working to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all Americans to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. The Foundation has invested more than $1.5 billion in New Jersey since 1972. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org/nj. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook. 

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SOURCE NJTV