(Fanwood, NJ) – Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and Scotch Plains Mayor Joshua Losardo joined representatives of Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary to announce the kickoff of the Paint The Green Campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
Also attending the kickoff announcement, held on the front lawn of Fanwood Borough Hall on Monday afternoon, were Debbie Merrick of the Cross Town Mental Health Coalition, F-SP Rotary President Susan Pastir, Ray Freaney of the Rotary Mental Health Advocates, Al Smith of the F-SP Rotary, Scotch Plains Deputy Township Manager Margaret Heisey, Scotch Plains Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler and Fanwood Councilwoman Patricia Walsh, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School students who painted the Mental Awareness Month and Stigma Free messages on participating storefronts in the two communities.
Mayor Mahr said she and Mayor Losardo are “so glad to be participating in a great initiative spearheaded by our great Rotary.”
Boost post
Mayor Losardo said, “In Scotch Plains and in Fanwood we believe that the strength of our community lies in its people… And it is our responsibility to ensure that no one is left to struggle alone burdened by the weight of Stigma, whether it stems from mental health challenges, substance abuse, or other vulnerabilities. Stigma has no place in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, or homes.”
“Here in Scotch Plains and Fanwood we are taking meaningful action and we are actually Painting The Town Green, a program that we thank the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Rotary for taking this initiative, and organizing this throughout our towns. It actually represents, for both of us, a crucial step forward in breaking down the barriers that are too often associated with mental health challenges,” Mayor Mahr said.
Mayor Losardo said he and Mayor Mahr will continue to “amplify the message that Scotch Plains and Fanwood stand firmly against Stigma and steadfastly with those in need of support.”
“Let us continue building a community that embodies inclusivity and empathy, one that that future generations will be proud to call home,” Mayor Losardo said.
Mayor Mahr said the two towns look to support this effort not just throughout the month of May, but throughout the year “to make sure that we truly have a Stigma-Free community.”
Merrick said it is important for everyone “to take the time to realize that our mental health is just as important as our physical health.”
Ten towns are taking part in the Paint The Town Green initiative. Also participating are Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Summit, Westfield, Chatham, Mountainside, Long Hill Township, and Madison.
Freaney said the Rotary Mental Health Advocates will be holding three Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training sessions on Saturday, May 10th at the Fanwood Memorial Library; Tuesday, May 13th, and Saturday, May 24th at the Berkeley Heights YMCA.
Smith encouraged members of the community to sign the Rotary’s Stigma-Free Pledge, in which those who sign pledge to raise awareness by educating themselves and others about mental illness and to not use discriminatory language when discussing mental illness.
