IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, OR IF YOU, A FRIEND, OR LOVED ONE ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, CALL 911 or 201-262-4357 (201-262-HELP)
Address: 50 Washington Avenue, Dumont, NJ 07628
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About the Stigma-Free Campaign
The Dumont Stigma-Free Campaign is a local initiative which aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. We are dedicated to raising awareness of the disease of mental illness and create a culture wherein residents who have the disease feel supported by their community and neighbors and feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of stigma.
The World Health Organization ranks mental health disorders as the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada. Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety or alcohol and substance use disorders, are extremely common in America. 1 in 4 adults experience a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year [approximately 61.5 million Americans] and 1 in 17 adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Yet more than half will not seek treatment. Why?
Despite its prevalence in our society, mental health still has stigma attached to it. The primary reason individuals fail to seek the help they need is due to the stigma associated with the disease of mental illness. Main reasons cited are shame and fear of judgment from friends, family and co-workers. Such judgment is often rooted in a lack of knowledge or training. It is our goal to disseminate information and foster a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment and can get the help they need to recover from disease.
About the Dumont Stigma-Free Committee
The mission of the Dumont Stigma-Free Committee is to reduce, and to strive to eradicate, the stigma associated with mental illness from the community of Dumont. The Committee possesses all powers necessary and appropriate to carry out and execute its mission, including but not limited to the following:
(a) To raise awareness within the community of the disease of mental illness, and to create a culture wherein residents who have the disease feel supported by their community and neighbors and feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of stigma or feelings of isolation and shame;
(b) To disseminate information and distribute educational, informational and promotional materials, in all available media formats, to foster a stigma-free environment where residents are free from judgment and can get the help they need to recover from mental illness, including but not limited to lawn signs, road signs and banners, brochures, flyers, websites, social media presence, and Stigma-Free representations on Borough mailings, newsletters, websites, structures, and vehicles;
(c) To encourage residents to break down barriers and be mindful of their mental health and ask for help when needed, and engage in care as soon as the need is identified so recovery can begin, hope is inspired, and tragedies are avoided;
(d) To raise awareness of the local mental health resources available and that care is accessible regardless of income, and to link residents in need to local mental health resources;
(e) To educate residents and students that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such, through the organization and hosting of informational and educational presentations, programs, events and activities, including but not limited to Mental Health First Aid training sessions for residents and Borough employees and first-responders, awareness walks, booths at town-wide events and community days, poster contests within local middle schools, educational events for pre-school and elementary students, school assemblies, and Stigma-Free/mental illness awareness town concerts;
(f) To rally and encourage local government and business leaders, local community service groups and faith congregations, and students and young people to support, embrace and promote the Stigma-Free campaign; and
(g) To solicit, recruit, and utilize a supporting Stigma-Free Task Force, comprised of concerned residents, public officials, health care providers, educators and school district personnel, police department and emergency medical services personnel, local clergy leaders, representatives of local community groups and service organizations, and others working together to eradicate from the community of Dumont the stigma associated with mental illness.
Members of the Dumont community are welcome to volunteer to participate in the Dumont Stigma-Free Task Force. Please contact the Borough Clerk's Office with your contact information, which will be provided to the Committee.