PARTNERS

ALISON PRINCE HAMMONDS LCSW, BCD, DAPA, LPC, ATR-BC
Life enhancement through psychotherapy and counseling
www.alisonhammonds.com

BERGEN COUNTY (NJ) MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE
“The Mental Task Force is working to promote mental health in the community. The objectives are to take the stigma out of mental illness and make mental health resources available to all people in Bergen County. The task force partners with schools, community colleges and universities, and organizations to co-sponsor educational conferences on mental health.”
http://www.healthybergen.org/taskforces/mentalhealth.htm

CHANGING OUR CONSCIOUSNESS
“We seek to develop theoretical, methodological and educational tools to understand and resolve intergroup conflict. As we develop our capacity to see the world through others’ eyes, we facilitate dialogue between and among people of different thoughts, beliefs and communication styles, take a stand against media exploitation of prejudice, and transform education. Join the movement to bring Human Understanding into dialogue, onto the world stage and into the educational curriculum.”
www.changingourconsciousness.org

COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PARTNERSHIP OF BERGEN COUNTY (NJ)
“The Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) of Bergen County is comprised of more than 50 community organizations, businesses, schools, hospitals and also private citizens that are stakeholders in the health of the county. There are currently four task forces staffed by volunteers from these organizations along with individuals all working toward creating a healthier Bergen County. CHIP members develop, implement and promote initiatives to improve the health and lives of people who live, work, or attend school in Bergen County.”
http://www.healthybergen.org

FALLING AWAKE PRODUCTIONS
“Falling Awake Productions is the creative effort of artist and award-winning filmmaker Sheryll Franko. Falling Awake Productions is an artist collective that produces and creates independent and commercial video art/journalism, multimedia installation, private events/exhibits, short/full-length features and documentaries highlighting NYC arts and culture.”
www.fallingawakeproductions.com

HOW TO TOUCH A HOT STOVE
“The film How to Touch a Hot Stove™ will document the initiation of a social movement whose purpose is to change human consciousness about mental illness. It is a movement – similar to other social insurrections – intended to educate about the nature, origin, and meaning of different thinking styles until people become less fearful of those who don't look them in the eye, who talk to themselves, who take or need medication, or who respond in ways that seem too literal, abstract, emotional, or otherwise idiosyncratic. It is a movement intended to take words like “crazy” and “psycho” out of the headlines and bury them along with the “nigger” and “faggot” of past generations.”
http://www.changingourconsciousness.org/hotstove.html

STATE OF NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
“The mission of the Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma is to combat mental health stigma as a top priority in New Jersey's effort to create a better mental health system. Through outreach and education, the Council will send a message that mental health stigma must no longer be tolerated.”
http://www.state.nj.us/mhstigmacouncil/

TURN-A-FROWN-AROUND FOUNDATION
“Since its inception in August 2001, the Turn-A-Frown Around Foundation, Inc. (TAFA) has brought love and laughter to folks in nursing homes, psychiatric wards, and partial care programs (mental health day treatment). We offer a friendly ear to support those in need through our outreach phone service, The Unconditional LoveLive, and also make personal visits, phone calls, and e-mail contacts to those seeking help. Our role in the community is to assist people living with psychiatric and physical disabilities who have lost hope or feel isolated and friendless, by linking them with a "forever friend" network. TAFA reaches out to isolated individuals to help them attain a sense of hope and well-being through the affirmation and recognition of caring others. A staggering 50% of nursing home residents and 75% of mental hospital patients will die without a friend. TAFA aims to change those statistics by bringing love, laughter and a listening ear to the lonely and isolated in nursing homes, mental hospitals, children's homes, etc.”
http://www.turnafrownaround.org/