STIGMA Free

Pemberton Township is Stigma-Free


      thumbnail_Pemberton Township - Stigma Free Circle

Help us eliminate the Stigma! The Pemberton Township Stigma-Free initiative is a town wide program that works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Pemberton Township is a community dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and creating an outlet of support for our community.

Goals:

  • Inspire public interest about mental health and addiction
  • Provide facts to the community
  • Provide programs to assist the community
  • Provide information on local resources
  • Establish a Stigma-Free Community that fosters acceptance and understanding so people will be willing to reach out for help.

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 can lead to discrimination. Discrimination may be obvious and direct, such as someone making a negative remark about your mental illness or your treatment. Or it may be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding you because the person assumes you could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to your mental illness. You may even judge yourself.

Some of the harmful effects of stigma can include:

  • Reluctance to seek help or treatment
  • Lack of understanding by family, friends, co-workers or others
  • Fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities or trouble finding housing
  • Bullying, physical violence or harassment
  • Health insurance that doesn't adequately cover your mental illness treatment
  • The belief that you'll never succeed at certain challenges or that you can't improve your situation

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477

What is Stigma? Why is it a Problem?

Stigma is when someone, or even you yourself, views a person in a negative way just because they have a mental health condition. Some people describe stigma as a feeling of shame or judgement from someone else. Stigma can even come from an internal place, confusing feeling bad with being bad.

Navigating life with a mental health condition can be tough, and the isolation, blame and secrecy that is often encouraged by stigma can create huge challenges to reaching out, getting needed support and living well. Learning how to avoid and address stigma are important for all of us, especially when you realize stigma’s effects:

  • People experiencing mental health conditions often face rejection, bullying and discrimination. This can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult.
  • Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability across the United States.
  • Even though most people can be successfully treated, less than half of the adults in the U.S. who need services and treatment get the help they need.
  • The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youth ages 15-24 and the tenth leading cause of death for all Americans.

Resources:

Links:

https://www.nj.gov/mhstigmacouncil/index.shtml

https://www.naminj.org/


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