Stigma-Free
The Burlington County Stigma-Free Initiative has been a goal of ours for several years and the Department of Human Services has made great strides in raising public awareness, providing education and offering resources to individuals and families that are battling Mental Health or Substance Abuse Disorders.
OUR GOALS
- Inspire public interest and open dialogues about the conditions of mental health and addition.
- Provide information on local resources available to treat the disease of mental illness and substance use disorder so no one resident needs to suffer alone or help hopeless.
- All 40 municipalities in Burlington County adopt a resolution declaring its boundaries as Stigma-Free Zones.
- Most importantly, we aim to inspire actions that will bring the Stigma-Free Zone to Life.
WHAT IS STIGMA?
Stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that's thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common.
STIGMA-FREE TOWNSHIPS
The following townships have passed resolution to be Stigma-Free
- Bordentown City
- Bordentown Township
- Burlington City
- Burlington Township
- Chesterfield
- Cinnaminson
- Delran
- Eastampton
- Edgewater Park
- Evesham
- Florence Township
- Hainesport
- Lumberton
- Maple Shade
- Medford Lakes
- Moorestown
- Mount Holly
- Mount Laurel
- North Hanover
- Palmyra
- Pemberton Township
- Riverside
- Shamong
- Tabernacle
- Westampton
- Willingboro
- Woodland
STIGMA-FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The following school districts have passed resolution to become Stigma-Free. The Burlington County Association of School Administrators released a press release to join the Stigma-Free Initiative.
- BCIT and BCSSSD
- Bordentown Regional Schools
- Burlington City School District
- Burlington Township School District
- Cinnaminson Township School District
- Evesham Township School District
- Florence Township School District
- Lenape Regional High School District
- Maple Shade School District
- Medford Lakes BOE
- Medford Township Public Schools
- Mount Holly Township School District
- Mount Laurel Township Schools
- Northern Burlington
- Palmyra School District
- Pemberton BOE
- Rancocas Valley Regional HS District
- Rowan College at Burlington County
- Shamong Township Board of Education
- Southampton Township School District
- Tabernacle Township School District
- Westampton Township School District
- Willingboro Public Schools
- Woodland Township School District
TASK FORCE MEMBERS
- Anne Marie Green
- Carlyn Barnes
- Elfrieda Francis
- Geraldine Barbour
- Jennifer Wright
- Joseph Haber
- Kaitlyn Varanyak
- Lisa Marie Tedesco
- Maryam Suluki
- Michael Wiltsey
- Nicole Duncan
- Rachel Morgan
- Renee Carrillo
- Samantha Kunz
- Shirla Simpson
TRAININGS
Since 2021, we offered the following trainings to our partners, Alliances and community members:
- One (1) Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
- Two (2) Mental Health First Aid Trainings