Free Mental Health Awareness Carnival, BBQ Thursday Connects Communities With Support In Union County

UNION, NJ - Union County is using the power of fun to advance mental health awareness on Thursday at its annual Crisis Intervention Team BBQ.

The rain or shine carnival-style event is being held at Kean University from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and brings together dozens of law enforcement agencies and mental health professionals in support of the Union County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). The collaboration between local public safety and mental health professionals works together to enhance the system of services and resources available to individuals with mental illness and disabilities, and their families.

The event is entirely free to attend, and made possible by sponsors, partners and Union County law enforcement agencies.

According to the Union County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an event co-sponsor and community partner, one in four American adults shows signs of mental illness each year. Another four million children and adolescents in the United States suffer from serious disorders that cause functional impairments both at home and at school with family and friends. NAMI, with help from data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows that mental health disorders account for more disability than any other illness, including cancer and heart disease, in America.

"If you've never been to any of our previous events, I can assure you this will be an incredible event that exemplifies the community-based approach that makes Linden and Union County statewide leaders in mental health advocacy," adds Captain Christopher Guenther with the Linden Police Department. "Many of the staff and volunteers are CIT trained and work in the ARRIVE program."

The BBQ, first held in 2012, is part of a larger initiative county-wide to build relationships founded on understanding, respect, knowledge and skills to minimize the risk of any potential harm to oneself or others and connect patients to the right community-based services.

"These events have helped build a bridge for better communications and relationships between members of this community and police officers on a local level," says Linden Police Captain Abdul Williams. "The expansion of this program county-wide is an incredible opportunity to include new partners to better serve and deepen relationships with even more members of this community."

The family-friendly event features music, games, food trucks and other activities along with remarks from local dignitaries throughout the afternoon. More than a dozen other community partners, including the Union County Department of Human Services, RWJ Children's Specialized Hospital, and Alzheimer's New Jersey are also joining together to advance mental health advocacy at Thursday's festivities.

WHEN: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

LOCATION: Kean Hall at Kean University (1000 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083)

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