20230328 - Stigma Free Meeting Minutes
Stigma Free Meeting 3/28/2023
*Events mentioned will be posted on Ridgewood’s Spring Into Health Wellness Series Calendar at www.ridgewoodnj.net/wellness and/or Village of Ridgewood Stigma Free Facebook page @ Village of Ridgewood Stigma Free*
Attendees: Danielle P. (Health), Jan (Community member), Paul (Mayor), Danielle F (Valley Health System), Sheila Brogan (RPS and Age Friendly), Chief Judge (Ridgewood Fire Department), Mary D. (West Bergen Mental Healthcare), Corrine (Bergen New Bridge Medical Center) , Deanna (Ridgewood Parks and Rec), Dana (Bergen County Mental Health and Addiction Services)
Meeting convened at 3:05 PM.
Mary – May is Mental Health Awareness Month –West Bergen is partnering with Valley Health System to do a Walk-a-Thon at Valley Wellness Center in Mahwah on MacArthur Ave on May 13th from 1-4 PM.
Danielle P – Recap: West Bergen Mental Healthcare worked with the Health Department and Park and Rec on a program called How to Spot School Based Anxiety on March 8. – Barbara Krug, the presenter was great and the presentation was very well received.
Danielle F – Will send final flyer for Walk-a-Thon once finalized and also hoping to have education and wellness activities the day of the event. They have a virtual program on April 12 2023 called, “Talking to Kids about Food, Energy and their Bodies”. Main theme: positive language around food vs. discussing weight loss. To register - Talking to Kids About Food, Energy, and Their Health | Valley Health System
Danielle P –Added: Valley Health System is part of the Village of Ridgewood Health Series. They are working with the Health Department on various events. There is a billboard under the trestle here in town and banner for Wellness Series will be going up in the coming weeks to help promote this series, “Spring Into Health”
Dana – County has been busy planning Stigma Free Symposium – 13 towns will be represented, over 200 registered. Various mayors have been doing proclamations. Summit is May 3 at Biagio’s in morning. Registration at 8:30 AM and event is until 11:30 AM. Target audience is students. Ridgewood Health Department will be in attendance. QPR (question persuade refer) and Comfort Boxes (including blankets and items from AFSP) – available in ERs for those with suicidal ideation and for families after suicide loss. County-wide Stigma Free meeting March 30 - Danielle will attend.
Sheila Brogan – Big news School Board appointed a new superintendent from Madison, NJ name is Mark Schwatz. He has 20 years of experience in education. Will begin this summer. Municipal Alliance – Tim Shoemaker - vaping presentation to 6th grade students last week of April, and 6 p.m. presentation will be at GW Middle School.
Deanna – Parks & Recs – hosing two programs part of the Spring into Health Wellness Series. 1. Chill Out Gentle Yoga 4 Mondays in May in Senior Lounge. 1, 8, 15, 22. 2. April 29 Fishing to Free the Mind – 2 sessions – 9:30 – 11:30 AM or 12:20 – 2:30 PM. Registration up on Community Pass. Another program in progress May 20 – possible Zumba/light weights. This Thursday, March 30th Alzheimer’s Association program with Health Department– Covid 19 Resources for Caregivers.
Danielle P –After the COVID-19 presentation, a Social Worker from Bright Side Family will be there to discuss Senior Checks, a money management program for seniors. Bright Side Family is hosting a presentation on April 6th at 4:30 PM at Ridgewood Public Library with Age Friendly. Health Department will be in attendance with information table.
Chief Judge – Went to Muslim Society Iftar –Shared that the Muslim community faces stigma. Paul - Muslim community here is marginalized. He said everyone is welcome at the Iftars. Paul encouraged us to join. John’s family/kids/in-laws are all Muslim. (His wife from Turkey.) Danielle suggested they do Health Dept. outreach with the Muslim Community. Fire hosted CPR and Mental Health First Aid Trainings for staff. Has first aid training coming up March 31.
Corrine – Bergen New Bridge Medical Center – has two CareRite Centers, one in Wallington and one in New Milford. Free healthcare screenings on March 29 and April 5. Bergen New Bridge also hosting specific networking event for veterans April 6 from 12:30-2:30 pm. CareRite locations - https://www.newbridgehealth.org/find-a-location/search-results/?displayName=CareRite&sort=13&page=1
Mayor Paul – Pedestrian Plaza in the works and council meeting Thursday, March 30.
Danielle P – COVID-19 Updates: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent (Original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5) is now authorized for use in individuals 6 months through 4 years of age to provide a single booster dose at least 2 months after completion of primary vaccination with 3 doses of the monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Health Dept. tried to do a vaccine clinic last Tuesday, but no one registered. End of public health emergency May 11. NJ Dept of Health shared some talking points of what it means and Danielle will summarize and include in meeting notes.
If you are seeking a covid vaccine you can call the health department for referrals or visit https://www.vaccines.gov/
Good news - Flu activity has been low state-wide. Adults ages 65 years and older are at increased risk of serious illness if they get sick with the flu.
Mpox – still out there—if you think you’ve been exposed, report to Health Department. Danielle shared calendar of Health and Wellness Events—www.ridgewoodnj.net/wellness
Save the date: Dr. Matt Bellace – Ridgewood Public Library on May 18 – Mental Health Event – What’s So Funny? 18+ Flyer to follow
Angst program – waiting to hear back from the company (Indieflix) to get the program up and running this spring – health dept has grant to cover the cost. Mary D – 3 people split cost last time, about $350 - $400 each for multiple showings, including the one at night with parents.
Mental Health Resources – there were updates to resources, Danielle will share in minutes.
Updates have been made to the NJ Parent Link website to highlight & prioritize content & hyperlinks to youth suicide, crisis & mental health lifelines, helplines, services and resources:
· NJ Parent Link
Older Siblings, Teens & Young Adults
https://www.nj.gov/njparentlink/developmental/older/
· NJ Parent Link Special Situations
https://www.nj.gov/njparentlink/services/special/
NJ Parent Link www.njparentlink.nj.gov - Navigate Parenthood, Navigate New Jersey.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
988 reminder. - The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Call for flyers – send info and dates so she can included on Wellness Calendar.
May is Older Americans Month – 50+. Sheila is putting it together – call for photographs of older adults enjoying our community. Deadline is April 3. Exhibit in auditorium.
Sheila – Ramon Hache – new CEO at Ridgewood YMCA. He is trying to do outreach to community, suggested maybe a rep from there to this committee. Y is already supporting Citizens for Swimming with lesson and they are part of the Wellness Series – offering residents 10 free visits to the Y. (Lorna is the contact.) Health Department did their handwashing workshop at the nursery school there.
Jan suggested possible change to meeting format to collect events and dates in advance and then share with group for review in meeting as a means to share information more efficiently and effectively and use meeting time to build on each other’s ideas and share contacts. Danielle will take under advisement for next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 4 p.m.
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