The Morris Plains Borough Committee has voted to become the eight Morris County “Stigma Free’’ municipality, joining the countywide effort to help eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
Morris Plains, which passed a Stigma Free resolution on Dec. 2, joins Boonton, Denville, East Hanover, Hanover, Jefferson, Madison and Rockaway Township as Stigma Free communities in Morris County.
The Board of Freeholders this spring passed a resolution designating Morris County as a Stigma-Free County and asked the county’s 39 towns to enroll.
“It is important to understand the difficulties for individuals and families of dealing with mental illness and substance abuse, how these illnesses can destroy lives and families,’’ said Morris Plains Mayor Frank Druetzler. “The Stigma Free initiative is an important countywide step to help move people towards recovery, without fear of stigma or reprisal.’’
“We thank Morris Plains for joining this countywide effort and urge all of the 39 towns in our county to do so as well,’’ said Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.
The Morris County Department of Human Services has created a Stigma Free website (http://morriscountynj.gov/hs/stigma-free/) to call attention to the initiative and to help direct people suffering from those illnesses and additions to available help and services. A Stigma Free Toolkit also has been created. Check it out at: http://morriscountynj.gov/hs/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Stigma-free-toolkit.pdf
Morris County’s goal in creating a Stigma Free initiative is to disseminate information and foster a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment and can get the help they need to recover.
As part of the initiative, residents are urged to take the Stigma Free Pledge:
• As a supporter to those who have a mental illness or substance use disorder, I understand the importance of recognizing the high prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders.
• I also know that when recognition is coupled with reeducation and understanding, health-seeking action can be taken. These actions lead to recovery, which is possible for everyone.
• The Three R’s (recognize, reeducate and reduce) depend on each other to effectively Stamp Out Stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders.
• This is what I, as an individual, charge myself to do—to fully Stamp Out Stigma and clear the path to health-seeking behavior. It begins with me.
For more information on the disease of mental illness, visit www.nami.org and for more information on NAMI’s national Stigma Free effort, visit: https://www.nami.org/stigmafree
Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace which results from the judgment by others. When an individual is labeled 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.
y.
