Mental Health Connecticut

September 18th from 2 to 3:30pm, immerse yourself in a harmonious blend of yoga and sound healing as we guide you on a transformative journey towards holistic well-being. Elevate your wellness and cultivate a deeper sense of balance and serenity.

This event will be at the Art of Well Being Studio within the Family Wellness Center, 590 Park St, Hartford, CT.

The host, Cyndi Aure Rodriguez, is a committed Holistic Practitioner driven by a deep passion for healing and wellbeing. Holding certifications as a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Sound Healer, Reiki Master, and Licensed Massage Therapist, Cyndi offers a comprehensive approach to wellness that nurtures the whole person. By recognizing the intricate connections between the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms, she empowers individuals to embark on a holistic journey of self-discovery and healing. Make sure you add this to your calendar!

For more information, please contact:
[email protected]

It's back to school season!

Parents and caregivers play a critical role in nurturing the mental well-being of children and teens. It’s important to create an environment where they feel safe to express their feelings and thoughts. Here are some helpful tips for having meaningful conversations about mental health with your children at home:

Show Willingness to Talk: Let your children know that you are always available to talk. You can initiate conversations by asking open-ended questions like, "How was your day today?" or "Is there something on your mind you'd like to share?" Ensure you listen actively and provide your full attention, which helps in building trust and comfort.

Validate Their Concerns: When your child shares their thoughts or worries, it's crucial to validate their feelings. Simple statements like, "I understand you're feeling anxious," or "It sounds like that was really tough for you," can make a significant difference. Validation doesn’t mean you always have to agree or even understand, but acknowledging their feelings is essential.

Set an Example: Discuss feelings regularly and practice healthy coping mechanisms together as a family. Techniques such as deep-breathing exercises, mindfulness, and engaging in hobbies can be beneficial ways of dealing with stress. Encouraging regular physical activity and a balanced routine can also promote mental wellbeing.

Educate on Supporting Friends: Children and teens often go to each other to talk about their struggles before going to anyone else, so it’s important to teach children how to support their friends who might be having a tough time. Encourage them to listen without judgment, offer a helping hand, and seek adult support if needed. You can role-play scenarios to help them understand how to respond empathetically.

By fostering open communication and supporting our children’s mental health, we can better help them navigate the challenges they face socially and academically.

View our CT resource page: https://www.mhconn.org/education/resources/

Here are additional hotlines
988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
Call/text 988
Available 24/7

Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741

With funding from Macy’s, we partnered with RiseUp Arts, Parkville Market, and muralist Lisa Marie to bring “The Love Mural” to Hartford and make Connecticut one of the first states on the 50-state tour. “The LOVE Mural”⁠
is designed to celebrate diversity, empower abundance, and share love.

Have you seen the mural in person? Comment below.

Take a moment for yourself today—a mental health check-in can be as simple as immersing yourself in art. Whether it's painting, drawing, writing, or dancing, it's important to express yourself and find hobbies you enjoy.

Which activity are you going to partake in today? Comment below.

Join us on August 30th for a vibrant Tie Dye Event at the Family Wellness Center in Hartford, CT! 🎨 From 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, enjoy the beats of a live DJ from Full Blast Booking while getting creative with tie-dye. Bring your own items like shirts, socks, or headbands, and we'll provide tote bags and dye supplies while they last. Plus, you'll gain information on mental health resources during the event. Mark your calendar and don't miss out!

Learn more about the Family Wellness Center:
https://hispanichealthcouncil.org/programs-services/family-wellness-center/

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC), in partnership with Homes for the Brave, presents the Art of Wellbeing for Veterans and Their Families. MHC’s Art of Wellbeing is an evidence-based and award-winning program that weaves together introductions to both art and mental health.

We will offer two 8-week trauma-informed workshops to veterans and their families ages 16+ at the Homes for the Brave Annex located at One Lafayette Circle, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Tuesdays 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Fall: September 17th - November 5th 2024
Spring: March 4th - April 22nd 2025

Over the course of the workshop, individuals will draw, write, explore movement and dance, drum, and paint. Individuals will find healing as they explore how creative expression leads to good health and how the act of being well is a form of art in itself.

Register: https://www.mhconn.org/uncategorized/aow-veterans/

Lace up your shoes for the 6th annual Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness (CCR)! In this group running challenge, you will traverse the state of Connecticut north to south along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (FCT) and raise funds in support of Mental Health Connecticut. The CCR will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, starting at 4:00 am.

Can't join us? Visit this link (https://shorturl.at/qL9V4) and make a donation in support of the run!

Join our team at MHC, we have 18 roles available! Site locations include Waterbury, Torrington, Stamford, Danbury, Bridgeport, West Hartford, and Farmington.

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is a statewide not for profit provider agency that partners with individuals, their families, and the surrounding communities to create environments that support long-term health and wellness. We want to see your applications come through if you align with our mission.

Find the role descriptions and applications here:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/c2918b58-128d-4723-90ef-a37d1dc781fb/Mental-Health-Connecticut-Inc

Elevate your workplace with our 6-step approach to fostering mental health and inclusivity. The MHC Collaborative provides tailored workshops and certified training on key topics like mental health first aid, DEI, LGBTQ+ inclusion, burnout prevention, stress management, and more. Together, we can build a supportive and thriving work environment for all. ⁠
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Email us at [email protected] for more information and ask us about our community education catalogue.

August 30th we will host our Tie Dye Event at the Family Wellness Center in Hartford, CT! Mark your calendars 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm. There will be a live DJ from Full Blast Booking. You may bring items to dye like t-shirts, pants, socks, or headbands. We will supply tote bags and the tie dye materials until supplies last. Resources for mental health will be shared at the event.

Learn more about the Family Wellness Center:
https://hispanichealthcouncil.org/programs-services/family-wellness-center/

A heartfelt thank you to all participants and organizers for making our six-week virtual workshop, Write-On, a success! Your creativity and dedication have truly ignited the spark of storytelling within our community.⁠
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This workshop series fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ youth, guiding young writers on their journey of self-discovery and skill development. From crafting compelling narratives to honing writing routines, we are proud of the growth and authentic expression we've witnessed.⁠

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Stressed about the upcoming election? 🗳️ You’re not alone.

A recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association shows that 73% of people are feeling anxious about the 2024 election. Our latest blog post explores how to protect your mental health during this high-stress season. From limiting media consumption to staying active, we've got tips to help you stay grounded before you cast your vote on November 5th.

Read our full blog post here: https://www.mhconn.org/blog/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-this-election-season/

Are you familiar with the Independence Center (IC)? ⁠
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Located at 21 Church Street, Waterbury CT 06702, the Independence Center is MHC’s social and community center. ⁠
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The IC provides an environment for individuals with mental health conditions to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their goals and recovery. Our offerings include complimentary meals once a day, a food pantry, art activities, technology classes, care coordination, and more. The IC has about 400 members. We encourage interested parties to fill out our request for service form and the release of information form.

Both of these can be found here: https://www.mhconn.org/service/

We are honored and excited to announce that MHC has been named a 2024 by the ! Our workplace culture prioritizes mental health, fosters positive workplace relationships, and amplifies the talents of our incredible team.

Read more: https://www.mhconn.org/news/hartford-courant-names-mental-health-connecticut-a-winner-of-the-hartford-middlesex-tolland-new-london-and-windham-county-top-workplaces-2024-award/

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC), in partnership with Homes for the Brave, presents the Art of Wellbeing for Veterans and Their Families. MHC’s Art of Wellbeing is an evidence-based and award-winning program that weaves together introductions to both art and mental health. Over the course of the workshops, individuals will draw, write, explore movement and dance, drum, and paint. Individuals will find healing as they explore how creative expression leads to good health and how the act of being well is a form of art in itself.

Register here: https://www.mhconn.org/uncategorized/aow-veterans/

Did you know that you can leave a lasting impact by including gifts to charity in your will?

Legacy bequests allow you to support causes you care about beyond your lifetime. They can take various forms, such as a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or assets like property or stocks. Plus, they offer tax benefits! 📜💡

Consult a legal or financial advisor to structure your bequest. You can create a lasting legacy that supports mental health advocacy, education, and resources in Connecticut.

For more info, contact: [email protected] or visit https://www.mhconn.org/donate/

National mental health data is vital for our organization here in Connecticut. It helps us understand the overarching barriers for care, allows us to allocate resources wisely, and advocate for effective policies. By seeing the bigger picture, we can ensure we are moving in the right direction and positively impacting our local community.

Read more:https://mhanational.org/sites/default/files/2024-State-of-Mental-Health-in-America-Report.pdf

Source: Reinert, M, Fritze, D & Nguyen, T (July 2024). “The State of Mental Health in America 2024.” Mental Health America, Alexandria VA.

We want to give a HUGE shoutout to Full Blast Booking's Tour For Life! They put together amazing hip hop shows in CT, NY, NH, and RI. The proceeds of the Tour For Life shows are dedicated to Mental Health Connecticut in support of our mission. Each show has on-site therapists, live artists and paintings, and mental health resource pamphlets. Together we want to end the stigmas that surround mental health and save lives.

Check out their upcoming Tour For Life shows:

August 15th: 6-11:59 pm
The Shaskeen on 909 Elm St, Manchester, NH

August 16th: 6-11:59 pm
Alchemy on 171 Chestnut St, Providence, RI

August 17th: 6-11:59 pm
The Cellar on Treadwell 295 Treadwell St, Hamden, CT

August 18th: 4:30-11:59 pm
The Brooklyn Monarch on 23 Meadow St, Brooklyn, NY

Thank you Full Blast Booking for your support to our organization and your commitment to creating mental health discussions. Your impact matters!

Join us for our "Creating and Planting" outdoor gardening event in Hartford! 🌿🥬🪴

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a newbie with a green thumb, this event is perfect for everyone. We'll provide all the materials and guidance you need to participate. Plus, it's a fantastic way to meet new friends and give back to our community.

Come grow with us!

We love our partnership with Yoga in Our City!

Meet Nora: Championing yoga and community in Willimantic!

We’re excited to introduce Nora, a passionate yoga instructor in our City Parks Program! Growing up just 15 minutes away in Mansfield, Nora has always been connected to Willimantic. For the past 8years, she’s been sharing her love for yoga, helping to build a vibrant and inclusive community.

Discover Nora's favorite spots in Willimantic, from Grounded Coffee's open-air seating to the weekly Willimantic Farmer's Market!

Explore the hidden gems she loves and learn how she's giving back to her community through yoga, and then join us for a class in Willimantic!

👉 https://yogainourcity.com/meet-nora-championing-willimantic-ct/

👕And don't forget to check out our City Edition merch, so you can show your Willimantic pride *and* support expanded community health and wellness programming!

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Month!

Bebe was a three-time New York Times best-selling author who wrote eight books and multiple short pieces. She was a mental health advocate, specifically for people of color.

One of her famous quotes was: "While everyone—of all colors—is affected by stigma, no one wants to say, 'I'm not in control of my mind.' No one wants to say, 'The person I love is not in control of [their] mind.'

But people of color really don't want to say it because we already feel stigmatized by virtue of skin color, eye shape, or accent, and we don't want any more reasons for anyone to say, 'You're not good enough.'"

—Bebe Moore Campbell

Read our blog post to learn more: https://www.mhconn.org/blog/july-is-bebe-moore-campbell-national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/

📸 Source: Tom Herde/The Boston Globe via Getty

Join over 200 organizations in telling all U.S. Senators to vote in favor of the Kids Online Safety Act when it comes before the full Senate.

Send a digital letter here: https://mhanational.salsalabs.org/KOSADayofActionJuly2024/index.html

We are so grateful for United Way of Greater Waterbury’s grant. Thank you for your support and all that you do for Connecticut.

On the road paying a visit to some of our partner agencies and programs who are vital to helping us create strategic impact in our focus areas of Education, Financial Stability, and Basic Needs.

Thank you to the countless hours committed by our Community Impact Council Volunteers and Board of Directors who approve investments such as this one, to help provide vital mental health services through Mental Health Connecticut!

Our Write On! Discover Your Inner Writer workshop series has started, but you can still register! Don't miss this free, virtual, 6-week workshop series for young adults ages 14-18 who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Register today to participate! Learn more at www.mhconn.org/writeon!⁠
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We are thrilled to introduce the MHC Collaborative's Quarterly Networking Series! Each quarter, join us for a FREE networking session and presentation by a community leader.

This July, we will hear from Sistah Iya Anyango, the founder and CEO of The FLYY Movement, LLC. The FLYY Movement has helped hundreds of women find community, explore their passion and purpose, and find their way to live their authentic selves.

Bring a friend and spend your lunch hour learning about FLYY and the freedom to love the you in you!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpf--pqDsqHNR-pb9pxOOh61-gHl0uGnKS #/registration

Don't Miss Moving Stories!

MHC, in partnership with the award-winning Justice Dance Performance Project, Inc. (JDPP), is offering Moving Stories, an arts workshop for young adults ages 16-25. Whether you couldn't make it to a workshop, attended one, or all, you are invited to join us for a celebration and showcase tomorrow, Thursday, June 27th at the Hispanic Health Council's Family Wellness Center!

https://www.mhconn.org/blog/wellness/

This July through August, we are offering a workshop series called Write On! Discover Your Inner Writer as part of our Art of Wellbeing program. It is a free, virtual, 6-week workshop for young adults ages 14-18 who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Register at https://www.mhconn.org/writeon
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