Free Programs and Groups

Help for those who need it most

Carrier is pleased to offer a variety of FREE mental health and addiction groups and services throughout the year that include ongoing group meetings, special screening events plus educational seminars. 

To find out more information on these programs, please contact the Community Relations Department at 908.281.1513.

Bright Futures for Kids

The Bright Futures for Kids program serves children ages 4 through 12 who are affected by a family member's addiction. The program is designed to help children express their feelings while learning coping skills, instilling cooperation, responsibility, maintaining a drug-free lifestyle, resisting peer pressure, and encouraging positive communication. Program components include problem solving, decision-making, peer pressure and communication.

This group meets Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Classroom #3, Atkinson Amphitheatre at Carrier Clinic.

Mental Health Education Group

Led by a licensed social worker, this discussion group helps educate family and friends who have a loved one at Carrier Clinic.  Participants will learn more about psychiatric disorders and how to best support their family or friend who is ill. Group members will also become more familiar with Carrier Clinic, its philosophy of treatment, and aftercare options in the community.

Held the first Sunday of the month, 2:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m., Garden Cafe.

Weekend Codependency Program

Carrier Clinic provides a weekend therapeutic educational and guidance program for family members and friends whose lives are impacted by another's addiction. Recovering addicts may also attend. Components of the six-week series (though many come after that time as needed) include educational lectures, discussion groups (including a parent's group), informational videos, and the opportunity to meet with addiction treatment professionals.

Participants have a choice of attending Saturday or Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (registration begins at 9:30 a.m.), on Carrier Clinic's Belle Mead campus, in the Atkinson Amphitheatre. No pre-registration is required. For those who are visiting a loved one at Blake Recovery Center, the program runs until 2:30 p.m.

Parent Support Group

This confidential support group helps parents to understand and cope with their children's disease of addiction to drugs and alcohol. The support group is run by Parent Support Group of New Jersey Inc., which believes that addiction is an illness and that changed attitudes and responses by the parents can greatly help a child's recovery. Our mothers and fathers refer to their sons and daughters as children, even though they range in age from 18 to 40.

This group meets Mondays, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Conference Center at Carrier Clinic. This support group is facilitated by the Parent Support Groups of New Jersey Inc.
 For more information, please call (973) 736-3344.

Free Annual Depression & Anxiety Screenings

Carrier Clinic provides free, confidential Depression & Anxiety Screenings at our Belle Mead Campus in the main admissions area on a quarterly basis. Participants are able to complete assessment questionnaires, have an individual discussion with a mental health professional and receive informational literature. Walk-ins are welcome, no reservations necessary.

Free Depression Screenings will be available on the following dates in 2010:

Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2010 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The screening is not a substitute for a psychiatric evaluation since no direct clinical recommendation or diagnosis will be given. However, a follow-up evaluation may be encouraged.

Alcohol Screening Dates

These free, anonymous screenings at our Belle Mead campus are conducted by a clinician to identify possible alcohol use problems. Walk-ins are welcome, no pre-registration is necessary.

Alcohol Screening Dates for 2010 are:

Thursday, September 30, 2010 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Substance Recovery Center Alumni Meetings

Take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Blake Recovery Center (optional AA meeting at 8:00 p.m.). This alumni chapter supports graduates in making the transition from treatment into recovering life by providing fellowship and encouragement. Length of sobriety ranges from days to 30 years. This is not to replace a 12-Step program, but to enhance recovery.

Community Education Series

Throughout the year, Carrier provides free educational seminars on a variety of topics to the community. Recent topics have included: Latest Prescription Medications for Mental Health, Holiday Grief, Parenting issues, Stress, Anxiety, Identifying suicidal behavior, and more.

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Bright Futures for Kids Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Classroom #3, Atkinson Amphitheatre at Carrier Clinic Mental Health Education Group First Sunday of the month, 2:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m., Garden Cafe. Weekend Codependency Program Saturday or Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (registration begins at 9:30 a.m.), on Carrier Clinic's Belle Mead campus. Parent Support Group Mondays, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Conference Center at Carrier Clinic. Free Annual Depression & Anxiety Screenings Thursday, May 20, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 22,3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Alcohol Screening Dates Thursday, September 30, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Substance Recovery Center Alumni Meetings Third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.