Franklin Township Stigma-Free Council provides local businesses with the opportunity to become community partners by taking our Stigma-Free Pledge. By pledging, businesses commit to working with the Council to create an inclusive environment; to promote mental health awareness and addiction recovery resources; and to build a welcoming and friendly community for every Franklin Township resident. 

Businesses Who Pledge Receive:

• ★Public listing on the Township’s Stigma-Free Website.
• ★A vinyl window sticker, announcing the business as a “Stigma-Free Zone.”
• ★Public commendation from the Franklin Township Council.
• ★Invitation to participate in our year-round events and community programs.
• ★Listing as a community partner on event marketing materials.
• ★Exclusive invitations to professional development training for employees, focused on creating stigma-free environments. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion at the end of each workshop.

Take the Stigma-Free Business Pledge today!

Where Do I Begin? (Resources for Stigma-Free Businesses)

Start your stigma-free journey by bookmarking this page, and making the following resources available to your employees and customers. Print a sign with these links and resources and have it available in your breakroom, offices, or near your cashregister, checkout, or other announcement area.

• ★Emergency Support & Crisis Intervention Services
  • ○988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. An emergency hotline for those facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to. https://988lifeline.org/ or call 988.
  • ○ReachNJ. A central call-in line for New Jersey residents who are looking for help with a substance use disorder (SUD). Each call to ReachNJ is answered by a live person in the first 30 seconds. https://nj.gov/humanservices/reachnj/ or call (844) 732-2465
• General Support
  • ○Community in Crisis. Leads and unites communities to reduce the incidence and consequences of the misuse of substances through education, prevention and holistic support in an environment free of stigma. https://communityincrisis.org/
  • ○Mental Health Association in New Jersey. A statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to strive for children and adults to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. https://www.mhanj.org/
  • ○National Alliance on Mental Health Illness NJ (NAMI NJ). A statewide non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. https://naminj.org/
  • ○NJ 211. A trusted resource for connecting individuals and families with vital community services. As New Jersey's comprehensive information and referral organization, NJ 211 is dedicated to helping residents navigate life’s challenges, from housing and food assistance to healthcare and disaster support. https://nj211.org/ or call 211
  • ○Peer Recovery Warmline. A peer-run service providing ongoing telephone support to mental health consumers as they work towards recovery. https://www.mhanj.org/people-in-recovery-warmline/ or call (877) 292-5588.
  • ○Somerset County Human Services Resource Guide. A quick list of some of the resources available to residents of Somerset County. https://www.somersetcountynj.gov/government/human-services/resources-publications/resource-guide
  • ○Somerset County Behavioral Health System Navigator. A point-of-contact for individuals who live or work in Somerset County in need of accessing an often complex behavioral health system. https://www.somersetcountynj.gov/government/human-services/operations-planning/behavioral-health-system-navigator

Don’t have the time to make a sign of your own? Use ours!

Help Us Prevent & Stop Overdoses

Did you know you can receive free naloxone? Naloxone (aka Narcan) is a rapid-acting, non-addictive, medication used to reverse life-threatening opioid overdoses, caused by heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkiller misuse.

In January 2023, Governor Murphy announced a nation-leading program to allow anyone 14 years or older to acquire naloxone anonymously and at no cost at participating pharmacies across New Jersey. The Department of Human Services partnered with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy and its Medicaid division to craft and implement this unique program.

Learn more about Naloxone, how to administer it, and where to receive it for free!

To learn more about addiction treatment and recovery, visit ReachNJ.gov or call 844-ReachNJ (844-732-2465). ReachNJ is a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week addictions hotline where people who have Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or friends and family of people with SUD can get immediate assistance and support from live, New Jersey-based, trained addiction counselors.

To learn more about resources and opportunities for businesses, email StigmaFree@franklinnj.gov. Together, we can make Franklin Township a stigma-free community!