Barbara Johnston

Barbara Johnston is the Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ). 

Barb has worked in healthcare for more than 25 years in many diverse positions.  Beginning her career in mental health, she worked in programs for deinstitutionalization, addictions, inpatient, and crisis ER. Upon joining a pharmaceutical company, she started their Employee Assistance Program and managed their Career Centers.  Over the next two decades, she managed projects through the research and development process; worked in public policy, state and federal government affairs, reimbursement and payer markets (prisons, managed care and long term care) and marketed specialty care products.

Barb chairs the NJ Mental Health Coalition and serves as on the board of trustees for Community Health Law Project (CHLP) and Collaborative Support Programs (CSP-NJ).  Along with the Government Affairs team, she is responsible for the legislative activities, policy and advocacy for MHANJ.Barbara Johnston is the Director of Advocacy and Policy for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ). 

Barb has worked in healthcare for more than 25 years in many diverse positions.  Beginning her career in mental health, she worked in programs for deinstitutionalization, addictions, inpatient, and crisis ER. Upon joining a pharmaceutical company, she started their Employee Assistance Program and managed their Career Centers.  Over the next two decades, she managed projects through the research and development process. She also worked in public policy; state and federal government affairs; reimbursement and payer markets (prisons, managed care and long term care) and marketed specialty care products.

Along with the Government Affairs team, she is responsible for the legislative activities, policy and advocacy for the MHANJ.