20230919 - Stigma Free Committee Meeting Minutes

September Stigma-Free Meeting Minutes- 9.19.23

Attendees: Dawn Cetrulo, Danielle Pagani, Surbhi Kapadia, Deanna Schablik, Sheila Brogan, Jan Bottcher, Beth Abbott, Corinne Scarpa, Mark Schwarz, and Dan Kilday

Minutes:

·       The meeting began with each member introducing their self.  Committee also welcomed Superintendent of Schools Mark Schwarz for joining the meeting.  Mark shared his personal experiences and his strong support for the Stigma Free campaign to destigmatize mental health services. 

o   If anyone has any book recommendations to share related to mental health,  please share

·       In honor of October being Suicide Prevention Month, Danielle reviewed resources from SAMSA, NAMI, and 988.

o   Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a great resource. There’s a social media toolkit, list of upcoming events, information on how to help (includes educating yourself and others about suicide prevention)

o   988 lifeline.org is also a great resource to utilize - https://988lifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/

o   NAMI also a great resource - https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Month

o   Valley Health System also has various webinars related to mental health- https://www.valleyhealth.com/services/health-education-videos

·       Health Department shared updates on community programs funded through the Enhancing Local Public Health Infrastructure grant. 

·       The paperwork for payment to Impactful/Indieflix for a one-year subscription to the Angst and Like movies and accompanying curriculum is complete.  Ann Skrobut, the Impactful/Indieflix representative Danielle has been working with, will provide name of curriculum specialists and access codes to their online curriculum.  Danielle to share all this information with Dan and the public schools in the upcoming week or two, so school administrators can begin to look the curriculum and implementation.

·       Surbhi shared that funding for a program with Matt Bellace, PhD for either school based assembly and/or parent program has been approved for Year 2 spending.  Matt Bellace is a professional speaker and standup comedian who has holds a PhD in clinical neuropsychology.  In May 2023, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Health Department hosted a comedy show with Matt at the Ridgewood Public Library for the adult residents. It was an entertaining way to raise awareness around mental health and the program was well-received by those attending.  As Matt Bellace has experience working with middle and high school students providing programs such as “A Better High” and “How to Get High Naturally,” the Health Department wanted to collaborate with Matt again to provide a program for Ridgewood youth.  Mark shared Matt had run a program in the Madison district while he worked there and that Matt’s program was well received.  Mark recommended reaching out to the principals of the schools.  Surbhi will be attending the Municipal Alliance meeting scheduled for the end, which includes the high school and middle school principals, and will introduce the information there as well. Dan asked for more information on the Matt’s upcoming events to see if he could attend and learn more about his message.  Surbhi to send Dan the information.

·       Jan spoke about the Out of Darkness/Suicide Prevention Walk to be held on 10/15/23 at Saddle River County Park.  Jan created a Ridgewood Team on the walk’s website page.  Jan made note that all Ridgewood residents, not just Ridgewood employees, are welcome to join the team.  Anyone who wants to participate in the walk can stop by the Health Department to pick up a Ridgewood Stigma Free t-shirt to wear the day of the walk. 

o   Join here: https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=9338

·       Surbhi gave an update on the new Covid booster.  On September 12, 2023, CDC recommended an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.  The single dose booster can be administered at least 2 months after the last dose. If you’re 65 or older, you can now get a second updated COVID vaccine beginning 4 months after your first.  Also, if you have a weakened immune system, you can now get a second updated COVID vaccine beginning 2 months after your first dose. You can get more doses after that if your doctor recommends them. Everyone 5 yrs and older are considered up to date, once you receive one 2023-2024 Covid-19 vaccine.  Children aged 6month-5years are considered up to date, once they receive 3 doses, including at least one dose of the 2023-2024 Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine is approved for 5 yrs and older. The vaccine is authorized for children 6mo – 4 yrs.  If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months. Covid-19 vaccine can be given simultaneously with other vaccines, such a flu, RSV, pneumonia, etc.  The only vaccine it should not be given in conjunction with is Jynneos or MPox vaccine. Mixing and matching of vaccine product (Moderna, Pfizer, Novovax, etc) is allowed with the booster, but it is advised not to switch product for the initial 2 dose series.  As the Public Health Emergency was declared over 5/11, the vaccines will now be billed to private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, with no out-of-pocket expense to the patient.  If a patient is uninsured or underinsured, they can receive vaccine through from 317 and Bridge program providers.  As the Health Department is neither 317 nor Bridge provider, we will not be hosting any Covid-19 vaccine clinics.  Walgreens and CVS have been identified as the Bridge Program providers. 

·       Upcoming events:

o   9/20: Addiction Resource Fair

o   10/1: Ridgewood PBA event for Cancer Research

o   10/3: Ridgewood Flu Clinic

o   10/6-10/8: Access Weekend

o   10/11 and 10/25: Mental health first aid hosted by the County

o   10/15: Out of Darkness Walk

o   10/26: SAVE THE DATE – Ridgewood Annual Senior Fair

·       Next meeting is scheduled for 10/17/23 at 3pm.

o   Stay tuned for meeting minutes email for various flyers and information