Overview of Stigma-Free Campaign

The Stigma-Free Campaign is an initiative that started in Paramus, was adopted by Bergen County and almost all its municipalities, and has spread throughout New Jersey and across the country.  The goal of being Stigma-Free is to raise mental health awareness within the community at-large.  This includes educating individuals on the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and recognizing the many factors that can impact one’s mental health.  Factors such as one’s genes, gender, or brain chemistry can impact a person’s mental health as well as trauma or abuse, and having a family history of mental illness.  Being Stigma-Free also includes connecting people to appropriate resources and advocating for people to seek help when needed.  Overall, it’s about creating a culture wherein residents feel supported by their community and neighbors and seek treatment without the fear of being harshly judged by others or stigmatized.  The Ridgewood Stigma-Free Committee is dedicated to raising awareness regarding the importance of mental health and eliminating any feelings of shame, embarrassment, or distress that stigma can bring.

Many factors can impact mental health including: 

• biological factors, such as your genes, gender, or brain chemistry
• life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
• family history of mental health issues

Goals of this initiative include:

• Educating residents that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such.
• Raising awareness of the prevalence of mental illness in our community.
• Provoking public interest in learning what is "Stigma-Free".
• Providing residents an opportunity to become involved in their community.
• Allowing people living with the disease to feel supported by their community and thus decrease feelings of isolation and shame.
• Linking people in need of local mental health resources.
• Raising awareness that care is accessible regardless of income.

What is mental illness?

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults experience mental illness each year and one in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. 

Mental illnesses refer to disorders generally characterized by dysregulation of mood, thought, and/or behavior. Mental illness encompasses a variety of disorders ranging from depression and anxiety to substance and alcohol use disorder and bipolar disorder. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income.

What is stigma?

Stigma is a mark of disgrace which results from the judgment by others. When an individual is labelled by their illness they experience judgment and prejudice. Stigma brings experiences and feelings of shame, embarrassment, distress, hopelessness and reluctance to seek or accept help. As a result, stigma is the primary reason individuals do not seek help when they experience symptoms of mental illness.

Ways You Can Strive to be Stigma-Free:

• Educate yourself and others about mental health conditions to spread accurate information
• Speak up when you hear someone make a negative comment about mental health
• Avoid blaming people with mental illness or substance use disorders
• Participate in a Mental Health First Aid Training
• Become aware of local and national mental health resources and referral services 
• Share the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline with friends and family

 To learn more, visit Bergen County Stigma-Free Zone and view the Stigma-Free Campaign Municipality Toolkit and the Mayors Wellness Campaign Mental Health Toolkit.

Meetings

• 3 pm
• 3^rd Tuesday of every month
• Click here to register for this meeting .  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Meeting Notes

View Most Recent Meeting Notes