Bernards Township committee reaffirms ‘stigma‑free’ commitment; municipal alliance to expand outreach

The Bernards Township Committee voted unanimously on May 27 to adopt Resolution 2025‑0118, reasserting the township's commitment to being a "stigma‑free" community and directing renewed education and outreach around mental‑health and substance‑use stigma.

Anna McCarthy, representing the municipal alliance, opened the presentation, saying, "I'm really pleased that we're presenting this stigma‑free resolution this evening," and described the township's earlier 2018 designation and renewed county emphasis on stigma‑free municipalities.

Committee members praised the resolution and highlighted the health‑department role in local programs. One member said the effort reflects the principle that "there is no health without mental health," noting previous leadership by local health officers and the municipal alliance’s continuing education work. Senior health educator Caitlyn Cartio and municipal alliance member Sophia Burkart Cutu, a licensed social worker and clinical outreach director at Barrett Life Recovery in Floren Park, were introduced and invited to speak before the committee posed for a photograph.

Following short remarks from alliance members and elected officials, the committee moved, seconded and approved the resolution. The committee and guests then took a photograph to mark the designation.

Why it matters: the resolution signals renewed municipal attention to reducing stigma tied to mental‑health conditions and substance misuse and commits the township to educational programming and partnership with local health‑service providers. The municipal alliance said it will pursue community programs and school‑age outreach described during the meeting.

Next steps: committee members said they will continue to work with the municipal alliance and the health department on programming and community outreach; no formal implementation schedule was specified in the meeting record.