Wellness, mental health and stigma and providing programs aimed at underserved populations has been at the forefront as Hillsborough Township has been once again designated as a “Healthy Town.”
“Hillsborough Township is honored and excited to be recognized by the Quality Institute as a 2022 Healthy Town, the gold level designation,” Mayor Shawn Lipani said. “Our Mayors Wellness Committee’s mission is to improve the health and wellness of the community and it is through innovative programs and outreach that we continue to engage our residents.”
Hillsborough Township first joined the Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) in 2006, pledging to increase awareness about healthy living. In 2023, Hillsborough Township remains steadfast in that resolve with even more programs and initiatives encouraging and focusing on healthy alternatives for both employees and residents.
The Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) is a statewide community health initiative that provides evidence-based tools and strategies for mayors and community leaders to help their residents achieve healthier lifestyles and to improve overall health and wellness in their communities. The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute has been leading the Mayors Wellness Campaign in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities since 2006. The campaign includes over 400 participating communities, and is growing.
Each year, communities participate in the MWC by completing a comprehensive Healthy Town Application outlining the research they’ve done to identify their community health needs and explaining how they have organized their local MWC committee. The application also highlights the actions towns have taken to make their communities healthier places to live, work, and play.
Hillsborough’s Healthy Town designation is the result of programming that includes employee wellness activities, “Walk with the Mayor” events, education about mental health and stigma, and programs aimed at underserved populations.
Upcoming wellness events include a “Take care of your health” event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The next session, which includes COVID booster vaccines, blood pressure checks, and time to talk to a local pharmacist, is on Thursday, April 13 at the Hillsborough Municipal Building, 379 S. Branch Road.
On April 27, puppy yoga is back at the Hillsborough Municipal Center. The session begins at 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Bully Rescue Warriors as well as BoroSAFE.
BoroSAFE is a community collaborative with an aim to provide access to mental health resources, emotional well-being best practices and suicide prevention resources across the entire Hillsborough community.
Bully Rescue Warriors is a nonprofit focusing on rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs, mainly bully breeds.
