Member Spotlight: NFJC of WNY, Inc.

Nov 9, 2024

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The NFJC will uplift, support, and amplify our fellow organizations that are on the frontline of addressing mental wellness.

NFJC of WNY, Inc. is a human relations organization dedicated to bridging differences by building a just and inclusive community through education, advocacy, and engagement. We recently spoke with Rene Petties-Jones, president NFJC of WNY, Inc. about the stigma of mental illness.

Why did your organization become a member of The Anti-Stigma Coalition?

The NFJC of WNY was very fortunate to have stumbled upon literature about the Coalition and we immediately went to work trying to find out how we could also partner with this great group of organizations that support mental health and so much more. As an organization that works to bridge divides, we realize that this is a very sensitive area that creates the very systems and silos we want to bridge and break down including stereotypes and bullying, unfortunately something that is pervasive amongst all generations.

What is your organization doing to address stigma and enhance mental wellness for the community?

The NFJC will uplift, support, and amplify our fellow organizations that are on the frontline of addressing mental wellness. We have pledged to educate ourselves and our facilitators to identify signs of stress and more importantly to know where help is available. We readily keep the Anti-Stigma flyers handy for our sessions and will continue to promote the online opportunities to further the education and conversation. We take our anti-stigma pledge and our role, however large or small, to address it very seriously.