Official Site of The State of New Jersey
What’s New from the Council
- Stopping Stigma Newsletter May 2026 Issue Volume 6
- Click here for highlights of Stronger than Stigma: Mental Health Resources for First Responders and to access the recording of this webinar.
“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
Save the Date-Standing Strong Together to Strengthen Behavioral Health
10/20/2026
New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies’ Fall Conference, Standing Strong Together to Strengthen Behavioral Health, October 20, 2026, at the APA Hotel Woodbridge, Iselin, NJ – Stay tuned for details on www.njamhaa.org.
2026 Suicide Prevention Conference - Save the Date
09/10/2026
Save the Date: New Jersey’s 11th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference
Thursday, September 10th
Mental Health First Aid Classes Summer 2026
07/08/2026
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges amongst adult or youth. You'll build the skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling.
Council News
Stronger than Stigma: Mental Health Resources for First Responders
02/12/2026
On February 12, 2026, the New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma hosted a webinar, Stronger than Stigma: Mental Health Resources for First Responders.
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.