MOVEMENT CATCHES ON

CLIFTON -- A "symbolic gesture" attempts to begin the conversation and create understanding about mental health issues.

Fighting the stigma associated with mental illness is the centerpiece of Clifton's new movement. Clifton became a "stigma-free city" with the passing of a resolution by City Council earlier this year. Passaic County freeholders also passed a similar resolution in August, declaring the county "stigma-free."

"It's a way to get the conversation started," said Joanne Green, executive director of Mental Health Association in Passaic County (MHAPC), a Clifton-based organization.

In 2011, the Hoboken-born movement began with posting signs around the city denoting its "stigma-free" status as well as providing mental health first aid (MHFA) training to first responders. The status is a pledge to stop the perpetuation of stigma or shame associated with mental illness.

Paramus, the second city to declare the status in 2013, has spread the initiative throughout Bergen County. To date, the county has hosted family events, a county-wide symposium, numerous fundraisers and music events in support of the cause.

Clifton is now joining its ranks, with Paterson soon to follow, according to Green.

In the United States, 18 percent of adults and 13 percent of children live with some kind of mental illness in a particular year, according to National Institute of Mental Health. These can include anxiety disorders, bi-polar disorder and depression, among others. This statistic excludes substance abuse disorders and developmental disorders.

Of those adults, less than half receive mental health services in a year, according to National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Half of children living with a mental illness receive services in a year.

"Some of that has to do with stigma," said Green.

Of those adults who saw a need for treatment but did not attain it, nearly all (97 percent) said it had to do with perceptions about their condition, such as stigma, the desire to handle it themselves or perceived low effectiveness of treatment, according to the 2010 National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R).

"The end goal is to really get the conversation going and then get people to get help," said Green of Clifton's initiative.

In schools

District-wide, Clifton schools are expecting to roll out education on mental health within the current school year, said Clifton supervisor of counseling, Peter Salzano. The curriculum includes a series of lessons to be delivered to students in grades five, eight and nine.

The curriculum is a blend of several curriculums speaking to mental health, said Green.

Training will be provided to school counselors beginning in October, to better equip them to help students facing mental health issues.

Signage promote the stigma-free campaign will also be posted inside counseling offices in schools.

In the community

Clifton's stigma-free campaign has already been out and about in the community at the Van Houten Street Fair earlier this month and National Night Out Against Crime. Looking ahead, the campaign will also make an appearance at the Clifton Centennial International Culture and Food Festival on Oct. 15, said Green.

The "first efforts" of the community campaign include partnerships with City first responders, the public library, Clifton Health Department, City Council, Passaic County Freeholders, St. Peter's Episcopal Church and the Palestinian-American Council, she added.

Clifton's first responders have also done their part in the campaign. More than 100 of Clifton's firefighters and EMT personnel received training in MHFA earlier this year, which better equips them to respond to those in crisis.

In June, Clifton deputy fire chief and stigma-free task force member Michael Allora spoke before congressional staff to advocate for MHFA. In his speech, he recounted an instance where he used his training.

He said at the time he was the only one trained in MHFA who had responded to the call where a man was threatening suicide.

"In almost an hour, he willingly agreed to go to the hospital for treatment," said Allora in his speech. "No struggle, no handcuffs, no injuries. Most importantly, no stigma."

Clifton police spokesman, Lt. Robert Bracken said the department receives computer-based training on various topics from mental health issues to domestic violence every two years. The training is typically comprised of reading, videos and a test component.

Bracken said in the field, officers typically called to respond to an emergency may not know from the initial call the issue is related to mental health. For instance, he said a domestic violence call may be received, but after gathering information from the parties involved, it may be apparent they are suffering a mental health crisis.

"The officers deal with it on such a regular basis that they gain insight through experience... which is complemented by the training," said Bracken.

A 2013 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found those living with mental illness were more likely to be the victims of violence (about 30 percent) than commit violent acts themselves (about 24 percent). This study examined data collected from American adults in five studies taking place between 1997 and 2007.

"Results provided further evidence that adults with mental illnesses experienced violent outcomes at high rates, and that they were more likely to be victims than perpetrators of community violence," reads the study's conclusion.

Passaic County police are also receiving additional training in crisis intervention, said Green.

The training program overall is comprised of 56 trainers -- volunteers from police departments, hospitals and mental health professionals.

"It's been really, really very successful and totally not funded," she said.

Get involved

Clifton's stigma-free campaign and MHAPC are encouraging residents to get involved in the movement.

An open house will be hosted on Oct. 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MHAPC offices at 404 Clifton Ave. The open house will follow Mental Illness Awareness Week, which is observed Oct. 2 through Oct. 8 and will contain information on what the stigma-free campaign is doing and how to get involved or join the task force.

T-shirts in support of the cause can also be purchased for $10 from the MHAPC office.

For those interested in following in the steps of the City's first responders, MHAPC will be hosting MHFA training on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 at the Clifton Main Memorial Library at 292 Piaget Ave. Trainees must attend both sessions to become certified.

Green said the program will help the community have more "confidence in what to do if their neighbor, friend, coworker or family member seems to be having a problem" and is geared toward the general public.

The course includes helping trainees formulate a MHFA action plan, which includes accessing risk for suicide or self-harm, learning to listen non-judgmentally, giving reassurance and information and encouraging both appropriate professional and self-help.

Trainees will also learn how to intervene in the event of a panic attack, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or self-injury through role-playing.

General enrollment is $75, with a reduced rate available for students with ID. To register, call 973-478-4444, ext. 110 or visit mhapassaic.org.

The Palestinian American Community Center (PACC), headquartered at 388 Lakeview Ave., is also expecting to host a MHFA course in November, targeted specifically to the Arabic and Muslim community.

"We do think that making Clifton stigma free is very important and it will make it a better place to live for everyone in Clifton," said Rania Mustafa, a representative of PACC and stigma-free task force member.

Businesses and organizations can go stigma-free or bring MHFA training to their location.

"We travel," said Green.

MHAPC is also seeking those living with mental illness to pair up with the organization to share their stories.

"If it were diabetes or something else, their wouldn't be a problem," said Green, "but there's so much shame attached to mental illness."

Anyone who is feeling suicidal may receive immediate help 24-hours, seven days a week, by calling the New Jersey Hopeline at 855-NJHOPELINE (654-6735) or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-TALK (8255).

Email: katz@northjersey.com