Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Declaring Intent
Purpose: Declaring the City of Newark, New Jersey a Stigma Free Town
Additional Information:
Sponsor: Council Member Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins
body
WHEREAS, the Municipal Council of the City of Newark recognizes that a significant number of Americans have experienced some sort of mental illness according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); and
WHEREAS, "Mental and substance abuse disorders can have a powerful effect on the health of individuals, their families, and their communities. In 2014, an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 and older in the United States had a serious mental illness, and 1.7 million of which were aged 18 to 25. Also, 15.7 million adults (aged 18 or older) and 2.8 million youth (aged 12 to 17) had a major depressive episode during the past year. In 2014, an estimated 22.5 million Americans aged 12 and older self-reported needing treatment for alcohol or illicit drug use, and 11.8 million adults self-reported needing mental health treatment or counseling in the past year. These disorders are among the top conditions that cause disability and carry a high burden of disease in the United States, resulting in significant costs to families, employers, and publicly funded health systems. By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as a major cause of disability worldwide;" and
Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness." Overview. SAMHSA.
WHEREAS, despite major accomplishments and the progress achieved, New Jersey must still overcome significant challenges before it can reach the goal of making quality mental health care available to all those who need it; and
WHEREAS, mental health problems are more common than cancer and h...
Click here for full text