Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma Presents College Logo Contest Winners and New Tag Line

 The New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma held a special reception on May 23, 2007 to meet the Council, present the winners of the Council’s 2007 logo contest, and announce the Council’s new tag line – Respect. Understanding. Change.  The winner of the contest was Elizabeth Regan from Cumberland County College and her logo will be the logo for the Council.  Runners-up were Donna Peterson of Bergen County Community College and Xiomara Serrano of Mercer County Community College.  The Council’s new tag line was provided courtesy of VanguardComm.

Senate President Richard J. Codey opened the program.  “For far too long, stigmas have been the primary barrier to recovery.  They breed discrimination, fear and distrust and deter individuals from seeking help.  In order to wipe them out, we need to continue creating a dialogue to break down fears and misperceptions.  The Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma is now firmly leading the way.  I am confident they will be the torch-bearer that exposes these negative stereotypes and lights the path to recovery for countless individuals,” said Senate President Richard J. Codey.   

Governor Corzine could not be in attendance but sent his congratulations.  Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner Jennifer Velez read the Governor’s remarks.  “As leaders within the field of mental health, everyone in attendance today has done a great deal to promote quality mental health services through policy development, training, research, and anti-discrimination campaigns.”

Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner Jennifer Velez voiced support of the council and spoke about stigma as it relates to wellness and recovery.  “Too many people are unaware of the realities and facts of mental illnesses," said Velez. "One of the most crucial pieces of information to have as a tool for fighting stigma is the fact that the vast majority of people who suffer from a mental illness - given proper treatment - can recover and resume their roles as contributing members of society."

Division of Mental Health Services Assistant Commissioner Kevin Martone, sharing the division’s commitment to addressing stigma said, “People living with mental illness are our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends and colleagues” said Martone.  “By educating the public about mental health stigma, we have the power as individuals and as a community to create an environment that supports anyone and everyone in need of treatment.”

Celina Gray, Executive Director of the Stigma Council said in closing the program, “This is an issue whose time has come.  The New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma looks forward with great anticipation to combating mental health stigma and working with New Jerseyans to support the Council’s mission through Respect, Understanding, and Change.

Other speakers included Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, Executive Director of the Mental Association of Essex County and Chair of the NJ Mental Health Task Force - Robert Davison, Stigma Council Chairperson Elsa Candelario, Stigma Council Vice-Chair Sylvia Axelrod, and Rutgers Student Mental Health Advocate Stacy Hollingsworth.  All the logos submissions were displayed at the event, representing Atlantic Cape Community College, Bergen County Community College, Bloomfield College, The Chubb Institute, Cumberland County College, Hudson County Community College, Kean University, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex County College, and Rider University.

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The Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma is one of the initiatives that came out of the Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health.   The Task Force was formed to rigorously investigate New Jersey’s mental health system and develop solutions to the obstacles that currently face those living with mental illness, and their families.  The mission of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma is to combat mental health stigma as a top priority in the effort to create a better mental health system in New Jersey.   Through outreach and education, the Council will send a message that mental health stigma must no longer be tolerated. 

Senate President Richard J. Codey with Stigma Council logo winners:
Pictured from left to right are runner-up Donna Peterson of Bergen County Community College, runner-up Xiomara Serrano of Mercer County Community College, Senate President Richard J. Codey, and first place winner Elizabeth Regan of Cumberland County College.