TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Mental Health Awareness Committee is looking to help “Scare Away Stigma” by hosting a Trunk or Treat night of fun while recognizing and addressing the barriers of stigma.
The event is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on October 25 on the fourth floor of the Ocean County Parking Garage off Madison and Hadley Avenues in Downtown Toms River.
The Trunk or Treat event is hosted by Ocean County Mental Health Awareness Committee, a coalition of community-based organizations and advocates, along with the Ocean County Department of Human Services. There are also 34 partners scheduled to participate in the event, with 45 trunks for families to visit.
“Events like this are a great way for our residents to have a chance to visit with stigma-free partners of Ocean County and be able to receive information and resources from the organizations,” said Ocean County Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Mental Health Board. “It is also a fun opportunity for children to have a safe environment to get those Halloween treats.”
Some of the partners participating include local municipal police departments, Bright Harbor Healthcare, Mental Health Association, Hope Sheds Light, NAMI Ocean, Ocean Partnership for Children, Ocean County College, Ocean County Health Department and Prosecutor’s Office, RWJ Barnabas, Preferred Behavioral Health, as well as local mental health and support organizations.
“Of our 33 municipalities in Ocean County, we are pleased that 29 have formally declared themselves as ‘Stigma-Free Zones,’” said the Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari. “I applaud the work of the Ocean County Mental Health Awareness Committee for their continued efforts in making our residents aware of the importance of mental health and putting their mental health first.”
For more information on the event, or the Ocean County Mental Health Awareness Committee, contact Jamie Busch, Assistant Mental Health Administrator, at jbusch@co.ocean.nj.us or Courtney Hartshorn, MHAC Lead, at chartshorn@co.ocean.nj.us.
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