Official Site of The State of New Jersey
As Glenn Close, actress and co-founder of Bring Change to Mind, said, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor and more unashamed conversation.” Stigma-Free Zones are essential for encouraging such discussions, and they are clearly impactful.
Now more than ever, our communities need healing by engaging and committing to a stigma free space for mental health and wellness. The Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma invites you to participate in the Stigma-Free Zone Learning Collaborative for Ambassadors of Stigma-Free Zones across our state. The Council seeks your participation to establish and support this Learning Collaborative of current Stigma-Free Zone Ambassadors and those seeking resources to develop Stigma Free Zones.
The purpose of the Learning Collaborative is also to acknowledge and showcase ambassadors and communities that have successfully established Stigma-Free Zones in their communities. Participation in the group will provide access to resources, toolkits, and community organizing strategies for successfully implementing and sustaining a stigma free zone. Your success stories are important to us and can serve to inspire others!
To learn more about the Stigma-Free Zone Learning Collaborative and express interest in getting involved, please click here to complete a brief survey and provide your contact information.
NJ Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma Celebrates Stigma-Free Zones, Honors Individuals for their Contributions and Impact
“When stigma does not exist, individuals are much more likely to receive the support they need to recognize the possibilities in their lives and to work to make them their realities. Through educational programs in communities, schools and other settings, we can make a life-changing impact, and such an effect has been achieved by Stigma-Free Zones in several communities, as well as colleges, throughout the state,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, Chair of the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma, during the Council’s event, Luncheon and Ambassador Awards: Celebrating Stigma-Free Zones, on August 16, 2023. Dr. Wentz also serves as President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies and Executive Director of the New Jersey Mental Health Institute.
Council Member and Stigma-Free Zone Subcommittee Co-chair Amy Spagnolo, PhD, moderated a panel discussion about the greatest successes and rewards, as well as lessons learned, from creating Stigma-Free Zones. These individuals were then honored with Stigma-Free Ambassador Awards.
Click here for detailed highlights on this event.
Stigma-Free Zone Toolkit
Click here to view Bergen County’s Stigma-Free Campaign Municipality Toolkit.
New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute’s Mayors Wellness Toolkit
Please visit this page often as we will be sharing success stories from current and future Stigma Free Zone Ambassadors, as well as additional resources for establishing Stigma Free Zones and maximizing their effectiveness.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and Local Rotary Present Series of Talks on Mental Health Issues
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center recently launched a series of conversations on mental health issues in partnership with the local Rotary District 7490’s Stigma Free Committee. The hospital’s President and CEO Deborah Visconi and Chief Clinical Officer of Behavioral Health Services Darian Eletto led the way on this important partnership.
#Anxiety #Depression #StigmaFree #MentalHealth #BergenNewBridgeMedicalCenter #RotaryDistrict7490 #RotaryClubofFortLee