There is hereby established the Stigma-Free Committee of the
Borough of Dumont having the powers and duties hereinafter enumerated.
The Stigma-Free Committee shall consist of seven members appointed
by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough Council. All
regular members shall serve for a term of two years, commencing on
January 1, except for initial appointments made hereunder which members
shall be designated to serve staggered terms as follows: two members
shall be appointed for one year (term expiring December 31, 2019),
two members shall be appointed for two years (term expiring December
31, 2020), and three members shall be appointed for three years (term
expiring December 31, 2021). All appointments to fill vacancies shall
be promptly filled by appointment by the Mayor with the advice and
consent of the Borough Council for the unexpired term thereof. Members
shall serve for their respective term and until their successors are
appointed and qualify.
The members of the Stigma-Free Committee shall select from among
themselves a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary to serve through December
31 of each year. Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
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 is hereby granted and shall
have and exercise, in addition to the specific powers and duties herein
granted, all powers necessary and appropriate to carry out and execute
its mission, including but not limited to the following:
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, in all available media formats, to foster
a stigma-free environment where residents are free from judgment and
can get the help they need to recover from mental illness, including
but not limited to lawn signs, road signs and banners, brochures,
flyers, websites, social media presence, and stigma-free representations
on Borough mailings, newsletters, websites, structures, and vehicles;
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, including but not limited to mental health first aid training
sessions for residents and Borough employees and first responders,
awareness walks, booths at Borough-wide events and community days,
poster contests within local middle schools, educational events for
preschool and elementary students, school assemblies, and stigma-free/mental
illness awareness Borough concerts;
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.
The Borough Council may annually appropriate funds for the use
of the Stigma-Free Committee and such funds may be expended on the
authority and approval of the Committee upon submission of proper
vouchers.
The Stigma-Free Committee shall meet monthly at the Borough
of Dumont Municipal Building, at such dates and times as shall be
established at its first meeting of the calendar year.
All provisions of this article are severable. If for any reason
any provision of this article is held to be invalid, the validity
of the remainder of the article shall not be affected.
This article shall take effect immediately upon posting, publication,
and final passage in the manner prescribed by law.