Mountainside Joins Regional “Paint the Town Green” Mental Health Awareness Month Kickoff

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — Residents traveling through Mountainside in May might notice green ribbons tied around town — a visible reminder that mental health matters and that awareness begins close to home.The ribbons will be officially tied on May 1st by members of Borough Council and staff as part of a kick-off, and the borough’s participation in both Mental Health Awareness Month and the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. Councilwoman Valerie Wass, Councilman Alex VanDeusen, and Recreation Assistant Alanna Moriak initiated the ribbon tying to help bring the initiative to life locally.The green ribbons are part of the regional “Paint the Town Green” effort, which brings together municipalities across Union, Morris, and Somerset Counties, to shine a light on mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage meaningful conversations around emotional well-being.In Mountainside, the effort connects directly to the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, a community health initiative focused on encouraging residents to prioritize wellness in everyday life — including mental health, connection, prevention, and access to resources.Following the ribbon tying, Mountainside will then join neighboring communities for a regional Mental Health Awareness Month kickoff event at 5 p.m. on the Village Green in Summit, organized by the NJ Cross-Town Mental Health Coalition. Mayor Paul Mirabelli, Councilwoman Valerie Wass and Alanna Moriak will attend the event in Summit. Participating towns include Berkeley Heights, Chatham, Fanwood, Florham Park, Long Hill, Madison, Mountainside, New Providence, Scotch Plains, Summit, and Westfield.A Regional Commitment to Mental HealthThe brief program will feature welcome remarks from Summit Mayor Elizabeth Fagan and Debbie Merrick, Chairman of the NJ Cross-Town Mental Health Coalition, followed by a Mayoral Banner Ceremony. Mayors from participating towns have been invited to attend and take part in a group photo and ceremony, which is expected to be completed by approximately 5:20 p.m.The event will also include light music, food trucks, and community resource tables, offering residents a chance to gather, connect, and learn about mental health resources available in the region.Organizers said the presence of local leaders is meant to send a strong message of support and help inspire communities to engage in open and meaningful dialogue around mental health.Why Mental Health Awareness Month MattersMental Health Awareness Month is recognized each May and serves as a reminder that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being. The month encourages communities to talk more openly about stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, and other mental health challenges that affect individuals and families of all ages.For many people, one of the greatest barriers to seeking help is stigma. Community events like “Paint the Town Green ” help normalize conversations around mental health and remind residents that no one should feel alone when facing emotional or psychological challenges.The color green is often associated with mental health awareness and is used to represent hope, support, and the importance of bringing mental health into the open.Bringing Communities TogetherBy joining together across town lines, the participating municipalities are emphasizing that mental health is not an issue isolated to one family, one school, one age group, or one community. It is a shared concern, and one that benefits from awareness, compassion, and connection.For Mountainside residents, today’s kickoff offers an opportunity to stand with neighboring towns and support a broader message: mental health matters, help is available, and conversations can make a difference.*Editors Note - correction has been made to include Somerset County.