MILLSTONE – Members of the Township Committee have passed a resolution which designates Millstone Township as a stigma-free community.
According to the resolution, a stigma-free community seeks to inspire public interest and to open dialogue about stigma, raise awareness of the disease of mental illness and substance use disorders, and create a culture where residents who have mental illness and/or substance use disorders feel supported by their community and feel free to seek treatment without fear of stigma.
The Township Committee’s resolution states that establishing stigma-free communities will raise awareness of resources, have inclusive language and encourage residents to engage in care so recovery can begin and tragedies are avoided.
The action taken by Millstone’s elected representatives in December followed action taken in September by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, which in collaboration with the Division of Behavioral Health announced the launch of the Stigma-Free Monmouth website (https://www.stigmafree-monmouth.org/)
The Monmouth County Stigma-Free Action Committee initiative was developed to help spread the message for individuals who have behavioral health illnesses and substance use disorders, according to a press release from the county.
The Monmouth County Stigma-Free Action Committee believes every individual deserves to be treated with respect and that everyone should be able to get help without fear, according to the press release.
In other business, Township Committee members authorized the purchase of a utility tractor with a heavy duty side flail (mower). According to a resolution, the utility tractor was purchased from Central Jersey Equipment, LLC, for $65,091 and the heavy duty side flail was purchased from Power Place Inc. for $28,328, for a total cost of $93,419.