“If we address mental illness as a community…as a village, we can embark on an age of enlightenment in mental health.”





The Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma Video Clips 


Tricia and Kurt Baker


Mental Health:

The Bakers present their experiences as they sought and obtained inpatient treatment for their son, Kenny, who suffered from depression and suicidal ideation.  Mrs. Baker frankly discusses the reactions of friends, family and the community, and how the family felt and coped with the surrounding stigma.  Click here to see the interview.

Attitudes in Reverse:

Mr. Baker discusses the misconceptions people have about individuals with mental illness:  focusing on the difficulties of recognizing mental illness when their child, Kenny, was very intelligent, high achieving, involved in activities.  The Bakers discuss warning signs.  Following Kenny's diagnosis, he had a great deal of difficulty speaking with his friends, and the rest of the family experienced a lack of compassion in the school system, from extended family and friends.  Click here to see the interview.

Attitudes in Reverse
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:    1 (800) 273-8255

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Mary Ellen McHale and Kathy Pignatelli: Bergen County Community College (BCCC)
 

Mental Health Awareness

As a result of a campus event, "It's Your life, 411," a team of professionals was assembled to assist students.  The program was named "It's OK to Ask for Help."  BCCC has subsequently developed campaigns to stamp out stigma, and student involvement in the wellness center has ignited a passion to reach out and help others.  Click here to see the interview.

Bergen County Community College Wellness Center

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Ray Smith: Bergen County Community College (BCCC)
 

Discussion of the multitude of factors that were considered in the development of a wellness center to meet the diverse mental health needs of the many cultural, ethic groups with the large college, including meeting the needs of students from other countries.  Click here to see the interview.

Bergen County Community College Wellness Center

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Barbara Buff: Bergen County Community College (BCCC)
 

Perspective on the importance and impact of the wellness center on campus, and how local planning efforts supported development of the center.  A plea to support additional anti-stigma efforts.  Click here to see the interview.

Bergen County Community College Wellness Center

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Christopher Chernick: "It's the Illness, not the Person"
 

The experience of a family member who became active the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) of Succasunna.  Offers an excellent overview of how the local and statewide groups operation, and the many ways in which DBSA can be supportive and helpful.  Click here to see interview.

DBSA National
DBSA of Succasunna
E-mail:   info@dbsasuccasunna.org

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Pat Ciccone and Cherie Castellano: Cop2Cop


The Origins of the Cop2Cop Program:

The history of how Cop2Cop was developed, and why they began to offer peer clinical and other supports to law enforcement professionals.  A retired Newark police office speaks of the importance of the availability of this type of services for the stress in law enforcement, and the importance of using retired officers to provide peer support.  Click here to see the interview.

How Cop2Cop Fights Stigma:

The way in which peer support is vital to trust, empathy, understanding and follow-up.  Peer support is vital in combating stigma.  Discussion of the ways in which Cop2Cop has grown and changed with the law enforcement system, and how this program demonstrates impact on decreased stigma toward mental illness over time.  Click here to see the interview.

Cop2Cop:  1 (866) COP-2COP (1-866-267-2267)

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Shelia Hobson: Cop2Cop Program


The experience of a retired female officer who volunteered to be a peer support person in Cop2Cop:  how she was recruited to man the hotline, and how she came to love the experience of supporting other law enforcement peers.  Ms. Hobson speaks of the changes in stigma in the law enforcement community since Cop2Cop began.  Discussion of the critical incident stress debriefing Cop2Cop provided during 9/11.  Click here to see interview.

Cop2Cop:  1 (866) COP-2COP (1-866-267-2267)

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Bonita Cuff: Missionary Work of the N.J. Conference on African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church


How the Missionary Society of the AME in New Jersey brings compassion, faith and hope to individuals with mental illness in hospitals and communities throughout the world.  Click here to see the interview.

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Robert Davison: Got Blue?
 

Got Blue grew from a partnership between the Mental Health Association of Essex County and Jewish Family Service to combat stigma and educate the community about depression and to direct those in need to appropriate community resources.  Click here to see the interview.

Got Blue: 1 (866) 202-HELP (1-866-202-4357)

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"I want to break the cycle"
 

An open discussion of a family's experience and issues with depression and anxiety in multiple generations, and the stigma within Latino culture, within the educational system.  How the Youth Partnership played a role in educating a mother about mental illness and addiction.  Click here to see interview.

Youth Partnership: (908) 223-1191

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Individuals who have Lived Experience with Mental Illness


"Take off the mask ... be yourself.  There's no reason to be afraid."

A teen speaks openly about her lived experience, stigma; and gives a hopeful message of advocacy:  that peers, society, schools would benefit from knowing more and understanding, so individuals with mental illness should not be afraid to speak out.  Click here to see the interview.

"I am who I am."

Opening the discussion can help break through stigma.  About the disclosure of homosexuality in a family, how it gave the family courage; and the reactions and acceptance of others.  Click here to see the interview.

Youth Partnership: (908) 223-1191

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"I was in the system before it was a system"


The importance of advocacy,, as told by an individual who has been a member of Youth Partnership, and a Partnership staff person.  Discussion of the changes in mental health stigma within the system over time, and how the Partnership has shared New Jersey's efforts with other states.  Click here to see the interview.

Youth Partnership: (908) 223-1191

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Tina...
 

Speaking Out - "I can help people to know that it's OK to speak up."

A frank and articulate discussion of how it feels to be confronted by stigma in school; the impact on self-esteem and self-image.  How this individuals got through negative thinking, and turned it all into advocacy and compassion.  Click here to see the interview.

"The youth voice is the most powerful voice."

Why advocacy for youth is so important.  Why action and accepting treatment is so important in beating stigma, being empowered and getting positive results.  Click here to see the interview.

Youth Partnership: (908) 223-1191

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The Glassbook Project: Rutgers-Newark


The Glassbook Project was created by artist Nick Kline in collaboration with students at Rutgers University-Newark, along with other artists, writers, survivors, educators and community organizations.  Glassbook expresses pain in the lives of individuals with trauma.  Students involved in the project developed more empathy and understanding.  Click here to see the interview.

The Glassbook Project
SAMHSA: Glassbook Project

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Drew Horn
 

The Development of the Turn A Frown Around Foundation

Since its inception in August, 2001, the Turn A Frown Around Foundation, Inc. (TAFA) has brought compassion, motivational humor and laughter to folks in nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, and partial care programs.  Drew speaks of his lived experience and what led him to develop TAFA, and the importance of laughter to individuals with mental illness.  Click here to see the interview.

"Our Mission is to End Loneliness."

Drew discusses the experiences of feeling alone, tells a story about Mother Theresa which provided the motivation that changed his life, and led him to draw others into bringing "Forever Friends" and "Smile Stations" to people in nursing homes, hospitals and situations where they experience profound loneliness.  Click here to see the interview.

Turn A Frown Around
E-mail:  frown2smile@aol.com

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Marjorie Strashal and Jeri Doherty: NAMI Family to Family
 

Two parents from the National Alliance on Mental Illness discuss the "Family to Family" course and how helpful it is to learn about the emotional impact of mental illness on the individual, family and caregivers.  Family to Family is an educational course for family, caregivers and friends of individuals living with mental illness that is also helpful for advocacy and working collaboratively with clinicians.  Candid discussion about how these parents worked to break stigma locally, change attitudes and bring help to people who had previously been afraid to speak out about mental illness.  Click here to see the interview.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

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Reuben Rotman: Jewish Family Services of Metro West


Description of the history of the agency and the services they provide.  Discussion about the way in which stigma prevents families from reaching out for help.  Jewish Family Services is also a partner in the "Got Blue?" campaign.  Click here to see the interview.

Got Blue: 1 (866) 202-HELP (1-866-202-4357

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Ted Romenko, Union County Prosecutor: Law Enforcement and Mental Health


"This is serious stuff.  We can save a lot of lives."

Discussion of the stigma in the court system, the steps that Union county took to address the need of individuals with mental illness in the court system, and the positive changes that occurred over time throughout the system with collaboration and training efforts between the court, the police force, and the mental health system.  Click here to see the interview.

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