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STIGMA FREE SOMERSET COUNTY

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Photos from the 2023 Somerset County Stigma Free Conference at Raritan Valley Community College

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Join us at our upcoming Stigma Free Meetings!

Jan 19th

March 15th

April 19th

June 28th (In observance of Juneteenth, June 21st)

September 20th

November 15th


12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/99911761556

Meeting ID: 999 1176 1556

One tap mobile: +1-929-205-6099

 

What is the Stigma Free Campaign?

Stigma Free Logo Rainbow

StigmaFree

The Stigma Free Campaign is an initiative of the Somerset County Department of Human Services to raise awareness about the tangible impact that mental health stigma has in the community. Stigma is the practice of associating negative stereotypes with certain memberships or characteristics, such as substance use disorders, race, social class, income, intellectual or developmental disability status. This can create barriers and challenges that could be eliminated in relationships, housing, employment, and education. Many are ostracized, isolated, and rejected based on perceived differences and societal values.

We are Stigma Free Somerset County. Some of our members live with mental health and/or substance use disorder and some do not, but we all believe that stigma is harmful. Through personal stories and testimonies, we show that a person with a condition is just as valid as someone without. Embracing a stigma free culture encourages dignity and respect for residents of Somerset County, reduces fear of judgment as a barrier, and celebrates the differences that make our community diverse and multi-faceted. 

Looking for help?

Connect with our Behavioral Health System Navigator

If you or a loved one are seeking help with connecting to substance use and/or mental health treatment, or support, please contact sbillitz@co.somerset.nj.us or 908-203-6130.

Click on the link to learn more: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/operations-planning/behavioral-health-system-navigator

What can you do to help?

The group looks for opportunities to engage the general public to spread awareness to those who do not know the real experiences of those living daily with a mental health condition or co-occurring mental health and addictions.

  • Educate yourself about stigma and how it affects our community 
  • Join us at the Stigma Free Zoom Meetings
  • Take the Pledge
  • Speak with others about normalizing the experiences of mental health and addiction
  • Download and share the toolkit, logos, and Words Matter language guide on social media 
  • For more information and access to a variety of resources please utilize our Somerset County Human Resource Guide
  • Request a training/event with any of our partners:
  • Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Training
  • Other training topics around mental health education and resources

                                            988 english  988 Spanish

Do you have feedback or ideas about the initiative? Think something is missing? This is a community initiative and should reflect our community. Please send comments and questions to stigmafree@co.somerset.nj.us 

Contact for more information: stigmafree@co.somerset.nj.us or 908-704-6300