Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges counties and municipalities to enact "Stigma-Free Zone" resolutions to reduce stigma of mental illness.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging counties and municipalities to enact "Stigma-Free Zone" resolutions to reduce stigma associated with mental illness.
Whereas, The disease of mental illness affects one in four people in the United States, and a 2010 report estimates that approximately 259,000 adults and 93,000 children live with serious mental health conditions in New Jersey; and
Whereas, When severe mental illness goes untreated or under-treated, it can lead to alcohol or substance abuse, dropping out of school, unemployment, homelessness, or suicide; and
Whereas, New Jersey is dedicated to increasing access to integrated, comprehensive mental health services for all citizens of the State and supporting the efforts of those who have mental illness to achieve wellness and recovery; and
Whereas, Raising awareness of mental illness is an effective way to reduce the stigma associated with the disease and encourage those who are affected to seek services; and
Whereas, To further the goal of promoting awareness of mental illness, it is essential to encourage coordination and collaboration with available resources at the State, county, and local levels, including public and private mental health agencies, care providers, patient advocates, community leaders, county and local boards of health, social services, law enforcement, businesses, and schools; and
Whereas, Bergen County and the Borough of Paramus have enacted resolutions establishing Stigma-Free Zones designed to spark public interest, raise awareness of mental illness, decrease the stigma of the disease, and encourage those who need care to seek treatment and feel supported within their own communities; and
Whereas, Establishing Stigma-Free Zones in every county and municipality of the State will help foster the collaboration and partnerships necessary to promote awareness of mental illness and better connect those in need of treatment with appropriate resources and services; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Each county and municipality in the State is respectfully urged to enact a resolution declaring the county or municipality to be a Stigma-Free Zone to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to encourage those who are affected to seek appropriate services.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the clerk of each county and municipality in New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges each county and municipality in the State to enact a resolution declaring itself to be a "Stigma-Free Zone" to help promote awareness of mental illness, reduce the stigma associated with the disease, and encourage those affected to seek appropriate treatment and services. The goal of this resolution is to encourage the coordination of mental health resources at the State, county, and local levels to help foster the collaborations and partnerships necessary to increase access to integrated, comprehensive mental health services for all citizens of the State and support the efforts of those affected by mental illness to achieve wellness and recovery.