Somerset County will host its 2026 Stigma Free Summit from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg. The event is being presented in collaboration with the Stigma Free Committee and will be held at the college’s campus at 118 Lamington Road. The free, in-person summit is open to all attendees.
This year’s theme is “Nourishment: Mind, Body, and Soul,” which the county said is meant to highlight self-care, destigmatizing substance use, and understanding the complexity of mental health with compassion. Commissioner Elizabeth Graner, liaison to the Human Services department, stated: “Seeking help takes tremendous courage and should not be associated with feelings of shame, guilt, or fear. This event is a safe place to find community support and life-saving resources to help someone on their recovery journey.”
The summit will include networking opportunities, open-forum panel discussions, access to service providers, and a keynote address by Mary Kindig, Clinical Director of Safe Place Counseling and Therapy Center. The keynote will focus on the underlying reasons some people may struggle with substance use, gambling, and other addictive behaviors. Participants will also learn about the eight dimensions of wellness and review coping mechanisms commonly used to manage stress and emotional pain.
Program Details
Lisa Federico, Director of the Division of Operations and Planning, noted that the theme reflects a broader view of wellness: “The theme this year reminds us that wellness is not one-dimensional. True healing and resilience come from caring for the whole person—mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially.” Lisette Turner, Mental Health Administrator/AFN Coordinator, emphasized that “participants will leave with greater understanding, empathy, and tools to promote resilience and compassion.” The deadline to register is Friday, May 22, with registration available at tinyurl.com/SCSFS26.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater/somerset-county-host-2026-stigma-free-summit