Somerset County To Host 2026 Stigma Free Summit

BRANCHBURG, NJ — Somerset County will host its 2026 Stigma Free Summit from 5 to 9 p.m. 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.

"Seeking help takes tremendous courage and should not be associated with feelings of shame, guilt, or fear," said Commissioner Elizabeth Graner, liaison to the Human Services department. "This event is a safe place to find community support and life-saving resources to help someone on their recovery journey."

Lisa Federico, Director, Division of Operations and Planning, said 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," said Federico. "The Stigma Free Summit creates space for meaningful conversations, connection, and education that encourage our community to support one another with compassion and understanding. Somerset County remains committed to ensuring residents know they are not alone and that support, resources, and care are available to help them navigate life’s challenges. By reducing stigma, we help empower individuals and families to seek help and prioritize their wellbeing."

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, according to the county.

"The Summit offers attendees an opportunity to learn practical strategies for supporting whole-person wellness while engaging in meaningful conversations about mental health and stigma reduction," said Lisette Turner, Mental Health Administrator/AFN Coordinator. "Participants will leave with greater understanding, empathy, and tools to promote resilience and compassion."

The deadline to register is Friday, May 22. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/SCSFS26.

More information is available by email at stigmafree@somersetcountynj.gov or at somersetcountynj.gov/government/human-services/stigma-free.

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