[Adopted 4-16-2019 by Ord. No. 1562]
There is hereby established the Stigma-Free Committee of the Borough of Dumont having the powers and duties hereinafter enumerated.
The Stigma-Free Committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough Council. All regular members shall serve for a term of two years, commencing on January 1, except for initial appointments made hereunder which members shall be designated to serve staggered terms as follows: two members shall be appointed for one year (term expiring December 31, 2019), two members shall be appointed for two years (term expiring December 31, 2020), and three members shall be appointed for three years (term expiring December 31, 2021). All appointments to fill vacancies shall be promptly filled by appointment by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough Council for the unexpired term thereof. Members shall serve for their respective term and until their successors are appointed and qualify.
The members of the Stigma-Free Committee shall select from among themselves a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary to serve through December 31 of each year. Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
The mission of the Stigma-Free Committee is to reduce, and to strive to eradicate, the stigma associated with mental illness from the community of Dumont. The Committee is hereby granted and shall have and exercise, in addition to the specific powers and duties herein granted, all powers necessary and appropriate to carry out and execute its mission, including but not limited to the following:
A. 
To raise awareness within the community of the disease of mental illness, and to create a culture wherein residents who have the disease feel supported by their community and neighbors and feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of stigma or feelings of isolation and shame;
B. 
To disseminate information and distribute educational, informational and promotional materials, in all available media formats, to foster a stigma-free environment where residents are free from judgment and can get the help they need to recover from mental illness, including but not limited to lawn signs, road signs and banners, brochures, flyers, websites, social media presence, and stigma-free representations on Borough mailings, newsletters, websites, structures, and vehicles;
C. 
To encourage residents to break down barriers and be mindful of their mental health and ask for help when needed, and engage in care as soon as the need is identified so recovery can begin, hope is inspired, and tragedies are avoided;
D. 
To raise awareness of the local mental health resources available and that care is accessible regardless of income, and to link residents in need to local mental health resources;
E. 
To educate residents and students that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such, through the organization and hosting of informational and educational presentations, programs, events and activities, including but not limited to mental health first aid training sessions for residents and Borough employees and first responders, awareness walks, booths at Borough-wide events and community days, poster contests within local middle schools, educational events for preschool and elementary students, school assemblies, and stigma-free/mental illness awareness Borough concerts;
F. 
To rally and encourage local government and business leaders, local community service groups and faith congregations, and students and young people to support, embrace and promote the stigma-free campaign; and
G. 
To solicit, recruit, and utilize a supporting Stigma-Free Task Force, comprised of concerned residents, public officials, health care providers, educators and school district personnel, Police Department and emergency medical services personnel, local clergy leaders, representatives of local community groups and service organizations, and others working together to eradicate from the community of Dumont the stigma associated with mental illness.
The Borough Council may annually appropriate funds for the use of the Stigma-Free Committee and such funds may be expended on the authority and approval of the Committee upon submission of proper vouchers.
The Stigma-Free Committee shall meet monthly at the Borough of Dumont Municipal Building, at such dates and times as shall be established at its first meeting of the calendar year.
All provisions of this article are severable. If for any reason any provision of this article is held to be invalid, the validity of the remainder of the article shall not be affected.
This article shall take effect immediately upon posting, publication, and final passage in the manner prescribed by law.