Township Adopts Resolution Designating Hillsborough A Stigma-Free Community

Mayor Doug Tomson and the Hillsborough Township Committee adopted a resolution designating Hillsborough Township a Stigma-Free Community at Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting.  

The stigma-free initiative is to help raise awareness surrounding mental health and strives to create an environment where individuals feel free to seek support to enhance their mental health, without the fear of being stigmatized.  

According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 1 in 5 people in any given year are living with a diagnosable mental health condition, nationally.  Furthermore, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 23 million Americans  have a substance use disorder with only approximately 25% receiving treatment of any kind.  

Despite these staggering numbers, there remains a high rate of shame associated with mental health treatment, education, substance use, overdose and suicide.  

“This is the first step to raise awareness of mental health and to begin to reduce the stigma associated with it, while encouraging individuals to seek services and support,” stated Mayor Doug Tomson.  

“We have a very active Municipal Alliance working on substance abuse prevention and BoroSafe working on suicide prevention and earlier this year, and earlier this year I went a step further and established an Opioid Task Force.  Additionally, each year we support  Alcohol Awareness month and Suicide Awareness Month,” added the Mayor.  

“Stay tuned for upcoming programs and events for the community to raise awareness and reduce stigma,” concluded the Mayor.  

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