Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mental Health School Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Stigma Free Council asks Franklin BOE to adopt mental-health pledge; speakers share personal testimony
Summary
Representatives of the newly formed Franklin Township Stigma Free Council asked the board to adopt a ‘stigma free’ pledge for the district during public comment; speakers discussed stigma's effects on students and families and provided a sample resolution for board consideration.
Representatives from the Franklin Township Stigma Free Council urged the Board of Education to adopt a stigma‑free pledge for the district during public comment on April 25.
Nita Vilangi, speaking with Donna Sosio, presented the council’s mission to reduce stigma associated with mental health and substance‑use disorders, and provided a sample resolution for the board’s consideration. “Stigma is harmful,” Vilangi told the board, asking it to consider a resolution in May, which the council suggested could be timed with Mental Health Awareness Month.
Speakers said stigma creates barriers to relationships, housing, employment and education and discourages young people from seeking help. Donna (full name used earlier in this meeting transcript as Donna Sosio) gave a detailed personal testimony describing years of untreated mental‑health challenges and the family stigma that delayed care. “When I was around 14, I wanted to commit suicide,” she said. She urged the board to adopt a formal pledge to create a judgment‑free environment in schools.
Board members expressed condolences to public speakers who had shared personal stories and said they would accept the council’s draft resolution for consideration. The board president asked the council to forward the sample resolution to district staff and board leadership (copying the superintendent’s assistant) so the board and communications committee could review and schedule the item for consideration at an upcoming meeting.
The board did not adopt the resolution at this meeting; members indicated support for considering the pledge and directed staff and trustees to review the proposed language and return with a recommendation. The board noted related district activities — outreach, student events and awareness programming — and encouraged continued community participation in planning events and follow up.
Speakers also highlighted upcoming youth events and district initiatives tied to mental‑health awareness and student inclusion; board members and staff pledged to coordinate a formal review of the submitted resolution.
