South Jersey counties have higher rates of depression than the rest of New Jersey, according to the NJ Dept. of Health. And while Oaks Integrated Care offers many programs to help people struggling with mental health issues, including addiction, they can only do so much if the people suffering are too afraid to ask for help. The stigma around both of these diseases makes it much harder for people to do just that. 

So Oaks is calling on everyone to help through its new program, Stop the Stigma. 

Stop the Stigma asks participants to take the pledge, agreeing to three steps: stand up, speak up and show up. 

You’ve probably heard someone brush off mental health issues as something that “you should just deal with” or someone describe a person who struggles with mental health as “just crazy.” These reactions – and many others – are the exact experiences Oaks is asking people to stand up to. By challenging these myths and educating people about these diseases, you can help further the message that mental health and addiction are real, and no one should be worried about asking for help. 

By asking people to speak up and show up, Oaks is asking the South Jersey community to break the silence around mental health and addiction. Whether you share your own experience, check in on a friend or family member, or just lend an ear to someone’s struggle, you can help people struggling with these diseases feel less alone, and support them in getting the help they need. 

If you’d like to take the pledge with Oaks, click here. There is also an option to share your own story if you feel comfortable.