New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma

Anxiety, depression, substance use and other mental health disorders have been highly prevalent and continue to increase, especially during traumatic situations, such as natural and manmade disasters. However, many people do not seek help for mental illnesses or substance use disorders because of stigma, whether that is felt by the individuals themselves or expressed by other people in their lives.

Never has there been a better and more necessary time for the New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma to forge ahead with its vitally important work to end stigma and discrimination and ensure health equity for all.

Combating stigma starts with education. This website has many resources to make people aware of the myths and the realities. To access resources, click on any of the categories in the Resources menu above.

What’s New From the Council

New Issue of Stopping Stigma as Part of Mental Health Awareness Month – Click here Stigma Council Newsletter to read this publication.
Roundtable Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis: Fostering Understanding and Partnerships to Further Support the Younger Generations- Free virtual event May 22, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Click here for details and to register to attend.

“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.”

— Bill Clinton

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor and more unashamed conversation.”

— Glenn Close

Two girls having coffee outside the cafe

“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:

There is hope for you as there was for me

by Emily

Emily: Grossman, MA, CPRP, a member of the Council, Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at Rutgers School of Health Professions, and author of Unlocked: 25 Keys to Recovering from Depression, Anxiety or Bipolar Disorder

Click here to see video

Opioid Summit 2023: Healing Together From the Opioid Crisis-Replay

06/30/2024

The Replay of this Conference will be available until June 30, 2024

Virtual All-day Conference, CME and CEU Credits Available, Panels, Workshops, Keynote.

American Mental Health Counselors Association Annual Conference 2024

06/10/2024

The American Mental Health Counselors Association is holding its annual conference June 10-12 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit https://www.amhca.org/conference for more information.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Annual Conference 2024 "Elevating Mental Health"

06/04/2024

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is holding its annual conference, NAMICON, "Elevating Mental Health," June 4-6 in Denver. For more information, visit NAMICon 2024.

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Council News

Youth Roundtable Inspires All with Compelling Perspectives from Teens, Young Adults and Community Leaders

05/24/2024

On May 22, 2024, the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma hosted a Youth Roundtable, Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis: Fostering Understanding and Partnerships to Further Support the Younger Generations. “While the staggering statistics about mental health disorders and suicide thoughts and actions certainly reinforce the urgent need to eliminate stigma and ensure access to treatment and support services, individuals’ experiences are even more compelling. I am tremendously grateful to the youth who participated in this event, as the mental health challenges and stigma they endured give them a perspective that all of us can and must learn from in order to provide the most meaningful support for children, teens and young adults,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, Chair of the Council; President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies; and Executive Director of the New Jersey Mental Health Institute.

The event featured opening remarks by Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Children and Families; a keynote presentation, Why There Is an Ongoing Mental Health Crisis among Children and Youth, by Shavonda Sumter, MBA, President and CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services, Member of the New Jersey General Assembly and New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Chair; and two panel discussions: Telling it Like it Is: Youth with Lived Experience and Family, Faith-based and Community Resources that Help.

Please click here to watch the recording of this event.

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

05/02/2024

Council Publishes New Issue of Stopping Stigma, Highlighting May 22^nd Youth Roundtable, Inspiring Successes and Valuable Resources

Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma Member Emily Grossman Publishes Book, Unlocked: From Psych Hospital to Higher Self, Hosts Book Launch Oct. 21st

10/21/2023

Emily Grossman, MA, CPRP, NYCPS-P, a member of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma and Founder of Emily Grossman Peer Life Coaching and Training Services, wrote an inspiring book, Unlocked: From Psych Hospital to Higher Self – 25 Keys to Recovering from Depression, Anxiety, or Bipolar Disorder, which will be published on October 17, 2023.

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