By Phyllis Beals.
Despite efforts to increase awareness of resources in Somerset County to help residents of all ages access mental health and substance abuse treatment services, too often I hear people asking where to turn for help, and where to find a treatment provider, especially one who accepts insurance. We can do better at all levels to educate our residents about existing services, to decrease stigma around seeking help for mental illness or substance abuse and to bring more services to our community. For this reason and because I have seen the Somerset County Stigma-Free Committee making strides tackling this problem, a few people are forming a “Stigma-Free Franklin Township” Committee. So far Franklin Woman’s Club and the Township of Franklin have taken the stigma-free pledge changing attitudes and behavior takes more work. A tool kit for your organization or as an individual is available at https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/stigma-free/take-the-pledge. If you are interested in being a part of the local committee, please contact me at awpbeals@comcast.net.
With the permission of Meg Isbitiski, Somerset County Mental Health Administrator /Department of Human Services, excerpts from the September Somerset County Human Services newsletter (available online) follow including helpful resource information.
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