Codey Fund For Mental Health

DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS, THE FOUNDATION UTILIZED PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO DISSIMINATE ITS MESSAGES OF: I) MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION; II) AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS; III) REDUCING BARRIERS TO QUALITY CARE; IV) COUNTER STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION; V) SUPPORT TREATMENT AND PROMOTE RECOVERY.THE CODEY FUND FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTES VARIOUS NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALITY AND COLLEGES TO PASS AN ORDINANCE CALLING FOR "STIGMA FREE TOWN" SIGN TO BE DISPLAYED IN THEIR TOWN OR COLLEGE CAMPUS. THE SIGN IS MEANT TO DRAW AWARENESS TO THE PUBLICS ATTITUDE TOWARD MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT AWAIT THOSE WHO ARE SILENTLY SUFFERING FROM A PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY. THE ORGANIZATION MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS, IN SUCH AMOUNTS AND AT SUCH TIMES AS DETERMINED BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE CODEY FUND FOR MENTAL HEALTH. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ORGANIZATIONS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE GRANT AWARDS.ONCE THE COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED IN THE SCHOOLS, THE CODEY FUND FOR MENTAL HEALTH WILL RESUME WORKING WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF ESSEX AND MORRIS COUNTIES WHICH TOGETHER HAVE DEVELOPED AN "AUXILIARY STAFF WORKSHOP", THIS WORKSHOP IS GEARED TOWARDS UNLICENSED OR PARA PROFESSIONALS. WE HAVE FOUND THAT IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT TO EDUCATE SCHOOL SUPPORT OR AUXILIARY STAFF WITH WORKSHOPS HELPING THESE INFLUENCERS TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN STUDENTS WE WILL PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS, IDENTIFY PROBLEMS EARLY, CREATE CONVERSATIONS AND WORK TOWARDS AVOIDING ANY STIGMAS, STEREOTYPING, AND/OR DISASTERS FROM HAPPENING.THE PLANNED PROGRAM INCLUDES TWO CLINICALLY LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WITH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHILDHOOD MENTAL DISORDERS CONDUCTING THE WORKSHOP. THE WORKSHOP WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 60 MINUTES (WHICH INCLUDES TIME FOR QUESTIONS), AND IT WILL BE GEARED TOWARD MEMEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO ARE NOT LICENSED PROFFESIONALS INCLUDING: *EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT - AIDES *SECURITY PERSONNEL - RESOUCE OFFICERS *SECRETARIES AND/OR OFFICE PERSONNEL *DIETARY, LUNCH PERSONNEL *CUSTODIANSWE HAVE FOUND THAT STUDENTS ARE OFTEN LESS GUARDED WHEN SPEAKING WITH SUPPORT AND/OR AUXILLIARY STAFF MEMBERS. WE NEED THEM TO LEARN HOW TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO START A CONVERSATION, ENCOURAGE HELP AND ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. THE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE AND WE LOOK FOWARD TO RESUMING THIS TRAINING IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.