Stigma Free Center
What is Stigma?
Stigma is a set of negative attitudes, thoughts or beliefs (often based on negative stereotypes) about an individual or class of people with a specific characteristic (e.g. mental illness, addiction, body size, sexual orientation, etc.) that is perceived as undesirable. Stigma is associated with social disapproval and rejection, leads to discrimination and unfair treatment, and can pose a significant barrier to interpersonal connection, help seeking, and the maintenance of healthy self-esteem for those who are stigmatized.
About us
Through many conversations with our community partners including governmental, health, and educational institutions, it is clear that there could be benefit from multiple organizations around the state offering expertise and coalescence around the goal of a stigma-free New Jersey. At Fairleigh Dickinson University, we have provided mental health services to area children, adolescents and adults for over 50 years, and we’ve worked in the mental health stigma space for over a decade. We believe that our content expertise as well as methodological and statistical backgrounds positions FDU to provide meaningful support to this initiative. We are excited to participate in conversations to identify specific needs of our communities and the best practices that have been effective in those communities. We look forward to supporting a coalition of passionate and invested professionals, community members, government officials, and the larger New Jersey population to eradicate mental health stigma in our state and beyond.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide practical tools and resources to foster awareness and implementation of best practices to reduce mental health stigma in individuals and communities.
Our Values
Inclusion: We celebrate diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences.
Belongingness: We foster safe spaces focused on connected communities.
Compassion: We promote human interactions characterized by kindness, consideration and empathy.
Resilience: We nurture the capacity to withstand and recover from adversity.
Fairness: We honor equity and justice.