News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
NYC Politics
Rebuilding Brooklyn

Brooklyn native using signs to break mental health stigma

Jose Cruz specifically chose the Brooklyn Bridge to show those battling mental health issues that he is the person you can turn to in a moment of crisis.

News 12 Staff

May 5, 2023, 10:26 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and News 12 is putting the spotlight on how one Brooklyn resident is using a sign to break the stigma around mental health.  

Jose Cruz can be spotted once a week on the Brooklyn Bridge standing by himself with a sign and a message to remind people they matter.  

“Mental health is so important, we’re all going through so many things,” said Cruz. “I want to continue doing this work so that every month is Mental Health Awareness Month, and that we can feel comfortable having these conversations and breaking the stigmas that’s around mental health.” 

Cruz specifically chose the bridge to show those battling mental health issues that he is the person you can turn to in a moment of crisis.  

"I want them to come here and also see that we have love here in Brooklyn, there's love here in New York City. I feel like me doing this brings people together, it makes community, I've made community with a lot of people up here as well,” said Cruz.  

Cruz and his sign have travelled to Charlotte, Miami, Philadelphia, and now the Brooklyn Bridge to share his message of hope. 



More Stories

Top Stories

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices