Dumont selects members for new Stigma-Free Committee

At its meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, the Dumont Mayor and Council appointed seven members to the newly-formed Stigma-Free Committee. The members are:

• Dr. Paul Barbato - Dumont Public Schools, Director of Special Services
• Margaret Preiss, MHA - Vantage Health System, Director Performance Improvement & Administration
• Shelisa Foster - Bergen’s Promise, Director of Operations
• Rev. Elaine Wing- Calvary United Methodist Church, Pastor
• Vicki Iucci - Dumont Women’s Club
• William Paige
• Karen DeMarco

The Borough Council Liaison is Councilwoman Carole Stewart.

The mission of the Stigma-Free Committee is to reduce, and to strive to eradicate, the stigma associated with mental illness from the community of Dumont. The Committee's responsibilities include:

(a) To raise awareness within the community of the disease of mental illness, and to 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 or feelings of isolation and shame;

(b) To disseminate information and distribute educational, informational and promotional materials, to foster a stigma-free environment where residents are free from judgment and can get the help they need to recover from mental illness;

(c) To encourage residents to break down barriers and be mindful of their mental health and ask for help when needed, and engage in care as soon as the need is identified so recovery can begin, hope is inspired, and tragedies are avoided;

(d) To raise awareness of the local mental health resources available and that care is accessible regardless of income, and to link residents in need to local mental health resources;

(e) To educate residents and students that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such, through the organization and hosting of informational and educational presentations, programs, events and activities;

(f) To rally and encourage local government and business leaders, local community service groups and faith congregations, and students and young people to support, embrace and promote the Stigma-Free campaign; and

(g) To solicit, recruit, and utilize a supporting Stigma-Free Task Force, comprised of concerned residents, public officials, health care providers, educators and school district personnel, police department and emergency medical services personnel, local clergy leaders, representatives of local community groups and service organizations, and others working together to eradicate from the community of Dumont the stigma associated with mental illness.

Members of the Dumont community are welcome to volunteer to participate in the Dumont Stigma-Free Task Force. Interested persons should contact the Borough Clerk's Office with their contact information, which will be provided to the Committee.

(Pictured from left to right: William Paige; Karen DeMarco; Dr. Paul Barbato; Councilwoman Lisa Rossillo; Councilman Damon Englese; Vicki Iucci; Councilwoman Carole Stewart; Councilman Andrew LaBruno; Borough Clerk Sue Connelly; Councilman Carl Manna; Rev. Elaine Wing; Borough Administrator Tom Richards.)