Official Site of The State of New Jersey
What’s New from the Council
• Save the date for the Sing! for Mental Health Live Concert: Exploring Dimensions of Wellness, to be held on May 13, 2026 at The College of New Jersey and submit videos of your artistic talents to be considered as performances at this inspiring event! Click here for details about the Sing! for Mental Health project and how to send your videos!
• The Council Mourns the Loss of Legendary Anti-Stigma Leader Dr. Patrick Corrigan
“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor and more unashamed conversation.”
— Glenn Close
“We know that mental illness is not something that happens to other people. It touches us all. Why then is mental illness met with so much misunderstanding and fear.”
— Tipper Gore
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are . They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain but you are not the rain.”
— Matt Haig
Stories Inspiring Progress
The best way to eliminate stigma is to educate individuals about mental health and mental illnesses, especially the fact that mental illnesses are real, just like physical health conditions, and should not incite any judgment or discrimination. Such education should include individuals’ success stories.
The New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma invites individuals to share their inspiring stories.
Here is one of many examples:
Kris
In 2022 I had a manic episode which landed me in the hospital. My whole life until that moment had been difficult, but I was now engaged to be married........
Upcoming Events
Bergen County Stigma-Free Sticker Contest Submissions Due
03/13/2026
The Bergen County Stigma-Free Initiative is a county-wide program that works to prevent and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness......
NAMI Free Signature Education Classes
02/13/2026
Gain strength, share hope, and find your community. Three free NAMI courses designed for your unique journey — whether supporting family, parenting, or personal healing. You are not alone. Sign up today.
Help Eliminate Stigma and Discover Mental Health Resources for First Responders
02/12/2026
The New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma invites you to join us on February 12, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Stronger than Stigma: Mental Health Resources for First Responders.
Council News
The Council Mourns the Loss of Legendary Anti-Stigma Leader Dr. Patrick Corrigan
02/04/2026
The New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Patrick Corrigan, PsyD., who was well known for his extensive and impactful stigma-related research, publications, teaching and other contributions to the behavioral healthcare community
Stigma Council Mourns the Passing of Gov. Richard Codey and Honors his Legacy
01/20/2026
Richard J. Codey, the 53rd governor of New Jersey and a lifelong public servant who had a remarkable gift for making complete strangers feel like the most important people in the world, died Sunday, January 11, 2026, at his home in Roseland, surrounded by family, after a brief illness. He was 79.
Stopping Stigma with Expert and Personal Insights in Time for Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 5-11, 2025)
10/03/2025
Council Publishes Stopping Stigma with Expert and Personal Insights in Time for Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 5-11, 2025) – Click here to read this publication.