The Bergen County STIGMA-FREE Initiative is a county-wide program 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.

Joining the Stigma-Free Initiative will:

• Educate residents that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such
• Raise awareness of the prevalence of mental illness in our community
• Provoke public interest in learning what is “STIGMA-FREE”
• Providing residents an opportunity to become involved in their community
• Allow people living with the disease to feel supported by their community and thus decrease feelings of isolation and shame
• Link people in need to local mental health resources
• Raise awareness that care is accessible regardless of income

Event Type	Advocacy Community Conversation Social Groups Educational Workshop Family Fun
Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Community Community Education Family & Support Services Youth Groups
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Mental Health Intellectual and Developmental Needs Advocacy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Learning Disabilities Special Needs Medical Health / Wellness / Nutrition

Last Updated: 11/23/23