/

Resources

NAMI NATIONAL www.nami.org

This link is the best national resource for information on the latest Research, current Publications, and Advocacy activity.  If you have paid your dues and have joined NAMI Connecticut on its site (below), you can also join online Discussion Groups by registering with your own username and password.

 

NAMI CONNECTICUT   www.namict.org

By joining forces with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NAMI Connecticut has access to the most current information on mental health research, and the achievement of a shared vision to influence the overall climate regarding mental health.

On the left side of the home page you will find links for support and practical use in addition to “Resources”.  They include outreach programs, public policy, criminal justice, and programs for consumers.

 

United Way of Connecticut 211:

Infoline 2-1-1 is a partnership between Connecticut United Ways & the State of Connecticut

Mental Health

 

OCD Connecticut:

A local chapter of the International OCD Foundation
Check here for local support groups and helpful resources. [ocdct.org]

 

Region II Regional Mental Health Board

Resources include:

  • 24-hour Crisis Hotline
  • Outpatient Treatment
  • Homecare
  • Self Help/Support Groups
  • Spanish Speaking Services
  • Substance Abuse Services and Drug Prevention
  • Basic Services

Find out more here. www.southcentralhealth.org

There are five mental health regions in Connecticut and each region has a Regional Mental Health Board.  In addition, each region is divided into catchment areas which are represented by corresponding Catchment Area Councils (CACs).   These advisory councils and boards were established to ensure that citizens from every town in Connecticut will be actively involved in determining and monitoring the kind of mental health services that will be provided by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. To identify your area visit: Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

 

Area Mental Health Services

CT Mental Health Center P.O. Box 1842, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06519
(203) 974-7300   (203) 974-7295 (TTY)  The Connecticut Mental Health Center is a cooperative endeavor of the state of Connecticut, department of mental health and addiction services, Yale University schools of medicine and nursing, the Yale-New Haven hospital, Inc. CMHC treats individuals suffering from severe and persistent psychosis, depression, anxiety, addictions (including alcoholism, cocaine, and gambling) and those with co-existing mental health and addiction problems.  CMHC also operates outreach programs for individuals who are homeless, who are at serious risk for mental illness, or involved with the criminal justice system. CMHC is also responsible for a specialized clinical service for people whose primary language is Spanish.

BH Care Shoreline 203.483.2650 · 14 Sycamore Way, Branford, CT 06405; (203) 483-2630; BHcare is designated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as the Local Mental Health Authority for the following towns: Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Madison, North Branford, and North Haven.

River Valley Services: Leak Hall, Silver Street, PO Box 351, Middletown, CT  06457 860.262.5200 River Valley Services (RVS), a community mental health center serving Middlesex County and the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, is operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).  RVS’s goal is to provide the highest quality crisis intervention, case management, and residential and clinical services to adult citizens, 18 years of age and older, who suffer from serious mental disorders and who lack the financial means to secure such services in the private sector.

 

Connecticut Network of Care

CNC covers a variety of topics including housing, transportation, employment, etc. www.connecticut.networkofcare.org/mh/

Connecticut’s Network of Care for Behavioral Health is made possible through State and Private Partnerships committed to promoting access to behavioral health care information for all residents of Connecticut.  This Website is a resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental health. It provides information about mental health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features. Regardless of where you begin your search for assistance with mental health issues, the Network of Care helps you find what you need – it helps ensure that there is “No Wrong Door” for those who need services. This Website can greatly assist in our efforts to protect our greatest human asset – our beautiful minds.

 

 

Housing

www.artausa.org
www.csh.org/getting-started
www.pschousing.org
www.cceh.org

To read more about “Housing and Continuity of Care” click on the link below.
The article, written in 2010, is made available with permission by the NAMI Stamford/Greenwich
affiliate.

HOUSING AND CONTINUITY OF CARE

 

Employment

www.ct.gov/brs/site
www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/disability
www.dol.gov/elaws/fmla
www.dol.gov/dol/topic/disability/ada
Mental Health and Addiction Services – www.ct.gov/dmhas/

 

 

Helpful Websites for young people

Turning Point
The Mighty
ReachOutHere
OK2 TALK
Each mind matters

 

Helpful Facebook Pages

FACEBOOK:

@NAMI Shoreline Affiliate, Connecticut and

@Challenging Kids: Enlightened Parents

 

 

BREATHE EASY with NAMI Air APP

NAMI AIR (Anonymous. Inspiring. Relatable) is the new NAMI app, a free, mobile-based social network designed for individuals living with mental health conditions and their family members/caregivers.

NAMI AIR is intended to provide another way for people to find and give support, to connect with others through smart phone and computer tablet.

  • NAMI AIR encourages users to anonymously share their stories and receive feedback in the form of social interactions such as “like,” “hug” and “me too.”
  • Also allows users to access information on how to get help, learn more about NAMI and connect with the NAMI HelpLine.
  • NAMI AIRfacilitates personal connections with others who may be going through, or have been through, similar situations. Users are anonymous but not alone.

How do I start using NAMI AIR?  After NAMI AIR is downloaded through the Apple and Android App Stores, users will start by creating an account and selecting a group to join.

 

 

Helpful Readings suggested by NAMI Shoreline members

To read “Questions for the Pharmacist” click on the link below. The article, written in 2010, is made available with permission by the NAMI Stamford/Greenwich affiliate.

Questions for the pharmacist

The following article was published on February 25, 2013 in The Connecticut Mirror.

Intensive support for people with mental illness

 

Readings suggested by Professionals

Readings suggested by professionals

NAMI Family to Family Education Program: Basic References for Families, 2012

Basic_References_for_Families_2012

 

OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Prince William promotes Mental Health Awareness

Depression takes toll on some Greater New Haven Seniors

Risk of Adult Anxiety Seen in Children’s Stomachaches

How a Family Copes with Schizophrenia and Suicide

Living with OCD

Sibling Bullying Linked to Poor Mental Health

Confessions of a Depressed Comic

Manic And Depressed, ‘I Didn’t Like Who I Was,’ Says Comic Chris Gethard

Faith Net

Mental Health in Schools: A Role for School Resource Officers

Sen. Murphy’s Mental Health Reform Bill Passes Senate

Advocacy From the Edge: Carrie Fisher

 

NAMI’s signature Educational Program FAMILY TO FAMILY returns to Guilford this FALL!!!

 

 

NAMI Shoreline on Facebook

NAMI Shoreline Affiliate, Connecticut shared a post.

2 weeks ago

NAMI Shoreline Affiliate, Connecticut

The Power of Connection. Happy tears here, don't worry. 🙂“I used heroin for ten years. It wasn’t a very good life, as you’d expect. I had my son taken from me. I lost my job at the Fiat factory. I spent all my time trying to find money, find dealers, and stay away from police. I hated myself. I couldn’t face anyone. Then one day my friend’s dog had puppies. I’d never had a dog before, but I always liked animals-- so I told him to give me the smallest and ugliest one he had. The one nobody else wanted. And that’s how I got Joe. Joe was the angel of my life. We understood each other. There was no need for words. He followed me around all the time. He slept next to me on the street. The moment I opened my eyes in the morning he would lick my face. He gave me self-esteem. I was a complete loser but at least I could take care of Joe. I could bring him to the park. I could bring him to the vet. I could raise enough money to get his medication. He’s the reason I was finally able to quit heroin. Because if something happened to me, what would happen to him? So I got clean. It was hard but I got clean. Joe lived for another thirteen years. He got a tumor in 2012 and held on a few more months. I barely survived it. I was able to stay off drugs, but I promised myself that I’d never get another dog. It’s just too painful. But two years ago I found Leica beneath a mobile home. She was all skin and bones. She’d been abandoned. I didn’t have a choice. For the first few months I called her Joe. But I had to stop. Because Joe’s gone. And the name doesn’t really matter, anyway. It just matters that I love her.”

(Rome, Italy) ...

Photo

View on Facebook
·Share

NAMI Shoreline Affiliate, Connecticut

3 weeks ago

NAMI Shoreline Affiliate, Connecticut

From Celia Finkelstein, TV writer and actor:

"Here is your periodic reminder that depression is NOT A CHARACTER FLAW. IT IS NOT A WEAKNESS.

Sometimes depression means you can't answer emails or respond to texts or do your dishes.

Sometimes it means you are super funny and the life of the party, but you can't get out of bed in the mornings or you weep uncontrollably or you feel numb.

Sometimes you feel great so you go off your medicine and then you feel so low you want to die. Sometimes you wish this passively, like you want a truck to hit you. Sometimes, you make a plan to do it yourself.

Sometimes just breathing feels like climbing Mount Everest.

Everyone's depression is different. The answer is not that you are a fuck up or a loser or you need to cheer up or go to yoga.

You are not broken. You are not lazy.

You are ill.

You need help and care the way a diabetic needs help and care. Do not judge yourself and do not allow others to judge you.

Recovery is a constant process of self-care and patience and hard work. It will not always be easy, but it will not always be hard.

I see you. You are not alone. I am holding space for you. You are allowed to ask for help. You are not a burden and you do not have to carry this alone. People want you to reach out. They do. I promise.

Nothing is permanent." ...

Photo

View on Facebook
·Share

Emergency Contacts

911 - Ask the police dispatcher to send officers trained to respond to mental illness crisis (Crisis Intervention Team)
GO! - to the nearest hospital emergency room
203.483.2650 - BHCare, Mobile Crisis Team. (For adult crises/emergencies)
211 or 1.800.203.1234 - Infoline, a statewide resource available 24/7 211, press 1 - Child Guidance Centers' Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS). (For children's behavioral crises/emergencies.)

Not Alone