HAWORTH — Treating mental health disorders can be costly. In response, some borough residents have started the Haworth HOPE Fund to provide support for neighbors who find themselves in need.

To raise money and bring attention to this initiative, there will be an adults-only field day on Sept. 21 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Memorial Field, where adults will revert to their youth by competing in relay races, tug-of-war and other activities.

Councilwoman Heather Wasser, one of the creators of the independent non-profit fund with Moira Renke and Mala Dutta, said it was formed earlier this summer after they noticed people reaching out for financial help for medical expenses through crowdfunding platforms.

"People GoFundMe and they look to their communities to support either themselves or their family members, but people are not comfortable doing that when it comes to their mental and emotional health," Wasser said.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 5 adults in the United States, or 46.6 million people, experience mental illness in a given year, and serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year. That doesn't include the cost of treatment.

Wasser said the fund's formation was also a reaction to the deaths of two area residents, whom she declined to name, in the past year who were suffering from emotional and mental issues.

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She said Haworth has been proactive in dealing with mental and emotional health issues, and noted the formation of a mental health coalition, and the creation of a wellness room at Haworth Elementary School.

Wasser said borough residents can request help from the fund by reaching out by email and then filling out a confidential application.

"Based on how they fill out the form, we know if they need a referral or we have an idea how much funding they need based on what they are describing," Wasser said.

She said people are already signing up for the September event. Varsity House Gym in Old Tappan is a partner for the field day and will officiate the games and donate $15,000 in gym memberships to participants.

To sign up for event and learn about the fund, email: HaworthHopeFund@gmail.com.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com