New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome Honored for Combating Mental Health Stigma

Somerville, NJ, November 22, 2008 --(PR.com)-- New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome is a recipient of the first annual New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma Ambassador Award for health care.

The Ambassador Award recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to reduce the stigma society attaches to mental health disorders. Celina Gray, executive director of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma, presented the award to NJCTS for its work in promoting “education, advocacy, research and creating new options for the treatment of Tourette Syndrome and associated disorders. NJCTS is empowering students and families across New Jersey to break down stigma.”

Established in 2000, the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders is a unique collaboration with the Rutgers University, healthcare professionals and educators. NJCTS and Rutgers University have established the world’s first and only TS genetics repository and are working to establish a core curriculum to train mental health workers to recognize and reach out to the TS community.

“We believe empowering children and families to advocate for themselves will help demystify this disorder and foster an environment of greater understanding, tolerance and action on behalf of the mental health community at large,” said NJCTS Executive Director Rice. For more information about NJCTS or the world's first TS DNA sharing repository visit tourettesyndromeresearch.org.

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