Glen Rock Proclaims May Mental Health Awareness Month

Glen Rock’s Mayor and Council officially proclaimed the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month as part of an ongoing effort by the Mayor and Council to prioritize Glen Rock residents’ mental health and well-being and to destigmatize mental health issues so that residents are able to get the support and care that they need. This was part of a nationwide effort to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in people’s lives.

The proclamation was presented to the Glen Rock Stigma Free Committee, which is dedicated to creating an environment in which residents will feel free to seek support and treatment for mental illness without the fear of being stigmatized. Committee members Rachel Madley, Gina Restivo, Raquel Lesser and Audrey Halpern were at the meeting as part of their ongoing efforts to prioritize and destigmatize mental health issues. Council Member Jill Orlich, the Council liaison to the Stigma Free Committee, said “I’m so glad to have a Council and Committee that are so dedicated to supporting the mental wellness of all of our residents. Glen Rockers’ mental health is a priority in May and all through the year, and we are here to do everything we can to support our residents.”

The Mayor and Council proclaimed that “mental health is essential to overall health and well-being, and … like physical illness, mental illness is a medical condition that can be treated effectively through self-care, early identification and early intervention, and with effective treatment, all individuals with mental illness can make progress toward recovery and lead full, productive lives….Local resources are available to treat the disease of mental illness, so no one needs to suffer alone or feel hopeless.” Anyone seeking more information should reach out to Jill Orlich at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Stigma Free Committee also provides information about mental health resources for anyone seeking help on its website, glenrocknj.net/boards/stigma-free-task-force. It will also be posting videos to the Borough website on a number of topics related to residents’ mental health, including insurance coverage, substance abuse, and how to find help.