Burlington County has a new tool to raise awareness about mental health and let residents suffering from conditions like anxiety, stress, depression and substance use disorder know they are not alone.
The Burlington County Commissioners and Burlington County Department of Human Services unveiled Burlington County’s first “Buddy Bench” on Friday during the Bring Health Home Resource Fair at the Burlington County Library and Burlington County Amphitheater. The bench is inscribed with the message: “You Are Not Alone. Call 988 Crisis Lifeline” and is intended to provide a safe space for visitors to relax and reflect while also encouraging those who may be struggling with a mental health condition to reach out for help.
In addition to the bench at the Human Services Building, the County has purchased 13 others to install in County parks.
“Mental health is an essential part of overall health, and Burlington County continues to go above and beyond to provide help, support and hope to anyone struggling with a mental health challenge,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson, the liaison to the Department of Human Services. “These benches are another step to help eliminate stigma and send a message to all residents struggling with mental health: You are not alone. Help is available and it is close.”
Burlington County’s 14 Buddy Benches are each about 6-feet long and made from recycled plastic. They were purchased with funds from a federal grant the County received to help improve mental health services.
The benches are based on the Buddy Bench concept that has become popular in schools and community playgrounds across the nation to encourage children to be kind and show support and empathy for other children who may be feeling sad, afraid, lonely or left out. When a child sits on the bench, it’s a signal to other kids to ask him or her to play.
The concept garnered more attention from the 2019 children’s book “The Buddy Bench” by Patty Brozo.
Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel said the County’s Buddy Benches are intended for both children and adults.
“Just as mental health conditions impact all ages, both children and adults can benefit from having Buddy Benches in our parks and other public spaces,” said Eckel, the liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “The benches remind us that we can all become impacted by mental health conditions and that no one should fear stigma or shame about reaching out for help and support.”
Burlington County has become a leader in improving access to mental health services and eliminating stigma.
In 2021, the Commissioners approved a resolution to make Burlington County a Stigma-free County and launched a campaign to dispel misconceptions about mental health and raise awareness about support programs.
Last year, Burlington County launched Hope One For Youth, a mobile outreach unit specializing in mental health education and support services for children and teens. Since that launch, the unit has gone to 51 community and school events and delivered services to more than 7,000 children, teens and adults.
Last November, the Commissioners and Department of Human Services also hosted suicide survivor Emma Benoit for a special discussion about mental health and free screening of the documentary film My Ascension about her life and inspiring recovery.
More recently, the Commissioners appropriated $200,000 from the County’s opioid settlement funds for evidence-based prevention programs in every Burlington County municipality. Each of Burlington County’s 40 towns is eligible to receive a $5,000 grant to either implement a local program or support an existing one in their town or school district.
New Jersey Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, who helped unveil the first bench on Friday with Commissioner Eckel and Easton Parker, the 8-year-old founder of a nonprofit group assisting the homeless, said Burlington County’s comprehensive approach to ending stigma and supporting residents is creating a model for other counties to emulate.
“Mental health is something we all need to prioritize,” Assemblywooman Katz said. “It’s gratifying to see Burlington County taking so many actions to raise awareness to let residents and families know that they’re not alone and that there are resources available to support them,”
If your life or someone else’s life is in imminent danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is in crisis and need immediate help, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help is also available online at www.nj.hopeline.com .