Bergen Receives Governor's Ambassador Award
By Mel Fabrikant Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 04:13 PM EDT
On May 22, 2008, Bergen Community College received the first-ever New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma Ambassador Award at a ceremony in Trenton. The honor signifies the College's efforts to eradicate the stigma that often accompanies mental illness.
The College received the Ambassador Award based on the success of its mental health awareness program. In April, the College's Wellness Center hosted "Mental Health Awareness: S.O.S. Stamp Out Stigma," to inform people about the variety of mental health services that are available through the College and Bergen County. It was co-sponsored by the Bergen County Mental Health Board, the New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma and the Bergen County Mental Health Task Force of Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
"The College is honored to receive such a prestigious award because we believe in the importance of educating people about mental health awareness," said Kathy Pignatelli, of Oakland, director of Bergen Community College's Wellness Center. "I'm proud to be a part of a collaborative effort of professionals from the College and Bergen County. Raymond Smith, vice president of student services at Bergen, has been a key supporter of Wellness Center initiatives that address such serious issues."
According to the College's Center for Institutional Effectiveness and Research, results from surveys conducted at the conference in April indicate that 52 percent of respondents agreed strongly that the event helped to enhance their knowledge and understanding of mental illness.
The Bergen Community College Wellness Center identifies ongoing wellness needs and resources for faculty, staff and students. It combines all the health aspects-physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and psychological. The Wellness Center focuses on a holistic approach to healthy living through healthy lifestyles and informed choices.
The Bergen County Mental Health Board is a state-mandated, Freeholder appointed advisory board charged with making recommendations for the funding and operation of the public mental health system.
The mission of the Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma is to combat mental health stigma as a top priority in the effort to create a better mental health system in New Jersey. Through outreach and education, the Council will work to raise awareness and promote respect, understanding, and change.
The Bergen County Mental Health Task Force of Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) was developed after strong concerns about mental health were heard from Bergen County residents. The Mental Health Task Force is working to promote mental health in the community by increasing awareness and use of the community mental health system.
Photo Caption: Raymond Smith, Vice President of Student Services at Bergen Community College, and Kathy Pignatelli, of Oakland, Director of Bergen Community College's Wellness Center
About Bergen Community College
Bergen Community College is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling more than 15,000 students in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs, and certificate programs. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in non-credit, professional courses through the Division of Continuing Education, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, and the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center, located at 355 Main Street, Hackensack. Information about the College is available at http://www.bergen.edu or by phoning the Welcome Center at 201-447-7200.
The College received the Ambassador Award based on the success of its mental health awareness program. In April, the College's Wellness Center hosted "Mental Health Awareness: S.O.S. Stamp Out Stigma," to inform people about the variety of mental health services that are available through the College and Bergen County. It was co-sponsored by the Bergen County Mental Health Board, the New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma and the Bergen County Mental Health Task Force of Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
"The College is honored to receive such a prestigious award because we believe in the importance of educating people about mental health awareness," said Kathy Pignatelli, of Oakland, director of Bergen Community College's Wellness Center. "I'm proud to be a part of a collaborative effort of professionals from the College and Bergen County. Raymond Smith, vice president of student services at Bergen, has been a key supporter of Wellness Center initiatives that address such serious issues."
According to the College's Center for Institutional Effectiveness and Research, results from surveys conducted at the conference in April indicate that 52 percent of respondents agreed strongly that the event helped to enhance their knowledge and understanding of mental illness.
The Bergen Community College Wellness Center identifies ongoing wellness needs and resources for faculty, staff and students. It combines all the health aspects-physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and psychological. The Wellness Center focuses on a holistic approach to healthy living through healthy lifestyles and informed choices.
The Bergen County Mental Health Board is a state-mandated, Freeholder appointed advisory board charged with making recommendations for the funding and operation of the public mental health system.
The mission of the Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma is to combat mental health stigma as a top priority in the effort to create a better mental health system in New Jersey. Through outreach and education, the Council will work to raise awareness and promote respect, understanding, and change.
The Bergen County Mental Health Task Force of Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) was developed after strong concerns about mental health were heard from Bergen County residents. The Mental Health Task Force is working to promote mental health in the community by increasing awareness and use of the community mental health system.
Photo Caption: Raymond Smith, Vice President of Student Services at Bergen Community College, and Kathy Pignatelli, of Oakland, Director of Bergen Community College's Wellness Center
About Bergen Community College
Bergen Community College is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling more than 15,000 students in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs, and certificate programs. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in non-credit, professional courses through the Division of Continuing Education, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, and the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center, located at 355 Main Street, Hackensack. Information about the College is available at http://www.bergen.edu or by phoning the Welcome Center at 201-447-7200.
