The Medical Center in partnership with the County of Bergen, Alumni in Recovery, and The Black Poster Project hosted a remembrance as well as a celebration of recovery from addiction.
Black Balloon Day
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center hosted its fifth annual Black Balloon Day event which is a national observance, established to remember those lost to substance use disorder and raise awareness of opioid overdose deaths. Black Balloon Day also raises awareness of the importance of increasing access to treatment for substance use disorders as well as providing necessary support to those individuals and their loved ones.
“Addiction touches every community, every neighborhood, and every background. It asks us to look beyond stigma and see the humanity in each person’s journey,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “It challenges us to create spaces where people feel safe enough to ask for help and supported enough to believe that recovery is possible.”
“Black Balloon Day reminds us of the lives lost to opioid overdose and the families forever impacted by addiction,” said James J. Tedesco III., Bergen County Executive “It is also a call to action. Bergen County and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center are leading with real solutions — from Narcan deployment and Hope One to innovative programs like THRIVE for teens. We have made progress, but we remain committed to expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery services for all who need them.”
The Black Poster Project, founded by Dee Gillen after losing her son to an overdose, serves as a silent memorial to those who have died. Nearly 200 of the posters were displayed in the Medical Center’s Chapel and Auditorium and represent a small fraction of the more than 1,000 posters in the current collection.
The event ended on a note of hope, when attendees gathered to listen to the “Recovery Speaker Jam” which featured community members who are currently in recovery from their addictions.
The Medical Center’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Addiction Treatment program offers a full range of services across the entire continuum of care. Our programs provide a supportive environment to begin a journey towards recovery. If you or a loved one need help, call The Access Center at 1-833-219-9404.