The Mendhams Stigma Free Task Force will hold its fifth annual “Stomp Out the Stigma Walk” on Sunday, May 3, during Mental Health Awareness Month. The event aims to raise awareness and encourage open dialogue about mental health and substance use disorders while raising funds for local scholarships and community programs.
Check-in for the walk is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the walk starting at 1:30 p.m. after welcome remarks and intention-setting. Registration and the walk will begin at Grace Lutheran Church, located at 65 E. Main Street in Mendham, with the route traveling along Main Street to Mountain Avenue before ending at the Garabrant Center. After the walk, participants are invited to a community resource fair featuring free ice cream, door prizes, and children’s activities.
Proceeds from the 2026 walk will fund scholarships for qualifying West Morris Mendham High School seniors pursuing studies in mental health and substance use disorders. Additional funds will support senior activities and provide grants to local schools and organizations for programs focused on strengthening community mental health.
The Mendhams are proud members of the Morris County Stigma-Free Communities Initiative. Organizers and sponsors emphasized that the event’s goal is to create an environment where individuals are supported in their efforts to achieve wellness and recovery. Community leaders encouraged residents to join in solidarity, form teams, and help eliminate stigma so that individuals, especially young people, can access the support and treatment they deserve. The event reflects the broader stigma-free efforts being coordinated across Morris County.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://patch.com/new-jersey/mendham-chester/annual-mental-health-advocacy-walk-returns-mendhams