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It’s a new year, but don’t try to be a whole new you! Focus on improving your overall wellness instead. We all have enough on our plates right now. There is no sense in making grand resolutions that set you up for failure. Studies show that most people who make…

Many people are shrinking their holiday celebrations this year due to COVID. While it may be disappointing not to spend the holiday with extended family and friends, it does give us the opportunity to focus on those who are closest to us in our homes. Here are five ways to…

Anxiety levels are on the rise across the country and prescriptions for benzodiazepines, or benzos for short, are skyrocketing. This group of anti-anxiety medications include drugs such as Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin and Valium. A study conducted by Express Scripts of more than 3 million people found that prescriptions for benzos increased…

The holiday season is supposed to be a joyous time of year, however it brings a great deal of stress for many people for various reasons. This year, the COVID pandemic is further complicating things. As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, we are faced with tough decisions for how to celebrate and…

Do you have unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications sitting around your house? In addition to clogging your medicine cabinet, they pose a risk to your friends and family. Did you know that the majority of people who misuse prescription medications report getting them from a friend or family member?…

Every October we observe Emotional Wellness Month, but this year it seems more important than ever to take time out to examine our emotions and the impact they are having on our life. What is Emotional Wellness? The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines emotional wellness as “the ability to…

Events Flyers: More Events: First full coalition meeting of the 2020/2021 school year – by Fairfield CARES Community Coalition – September 23, 8:30 am – RSVP HERE COMMUNICATE DON’T ALIENATE: HOW TO DISCUSS WHAT REALLY MATTERS – by GOVERNOR'S PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP- September 24, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm- RSVP HERE Grant applications…

This year, Minority Mental Health Month occurs during a national dialog about racism and systemic oppression. One aspect of oppression is the use of power-based language such as "minority," rather than people-centered language such as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). That's why July is now renamed #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth. This…

Events Flyers: CEU training – by Continuum Recovery Services – RSVP is required by Friday, 7/24 – RSVP HERE More Events: Treating the Family in Addiction: The Forgotten Patient – by RCA Virtual Academy – July 14, 9am – 11am (2 CEUS) – RSVP HERE Widely Prescribed Stimulants and the…

Events Flyers: More Events: National Prevention Network Conference 2020 Scholarship Application – by TTASC – Submit by July 8 to Lisa Mason HERE Elevating Voices for Long-Lasting Change- by the AFSP – July 9, 3pm – Register HERE New Online Supports: Find other online support groups and virtual wellness activities…

Events Flyers: Watch the Documentary Angst from home, courtesy of Fairfield Cares (flyer below) – Available anytime between June 11 – June 17 – Email: fairfield@indieflix.com Password: fairfield – Register HERE with credentials More Events: Financial Literacy & Gambling- by YGAP – June 15, 1:30pm – 2:30pm – Register HERE…

Mental Health Awareness During COVID-19 "So far, 2020 has been marked by stress, isolation, and uncertainty, even for those lucky to have stayed healthy and financially stable. COVID-19 has changed how we recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is the first year that virtually everyone has experienced…

¿Sabes cómo obtener servicios de apoyo en estos momentos tan difíciles? Hay programas de ayuda para las necesidades básicas, salud mental y adicción, incluso apoyos a bajo costo y para indocumentados. Si tú o un ser querido necesita ayuda, no tardes en contactarte con una de las opciones a continuación.…

Preventing suicide is today's theme for #CTPreventionWeek and an important goal of Mental Health Awareness Month. We're sharing new resources for supporting mental health, coping with crisis, & finding behavioral health treatment. 1. Let's start with some facts about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline & Crisis Text Line, along with…

May 10-16 is National Prevention Week. At this time when we're all experiencing anxiety & quarantine fatigue, it's all too easy to cope by reaching for a bottle or pill. NPW is an opportunity to respond by educating our families and communities about preventing substance use and mental illness… and…

Mental Health Awareness Month starts today, and this year, it's personal. In the past couple of months, we've all been in this together: those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and those who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression for the first time. Now more than ever,…

The national Disaster Distress Helpline is getting up to 600 calls a day. The DDH is a free 24/7 hotline to support people struggling emotionally as the result of natural or human-made catastrophes. Call or text the DDH (English or Spanish) 24/7 for free crisis counseling from folks with expertise…

ALSO check out these events… "Connecting Paths: Foundations and Growth After Suicide Loss" the 32nd International Healing After Suicide Loss Conference, by AAS, AFSP, and TAPS – April 25, 9am-12:30pm. Register here NAMI SMARTS For Advocacy Trainings, by NAMI CT – April 25, 9am-1pm. Register here "What LPCs Should Know…

ALSO check out these webinars… "Can Traumatic Memories Be Erased?" – by Brain & Behavior Research Foundation- April 14, 2pm – 3pm – Register HERE CCAR Recovery Coach Academy™ : Online Edition- by CCAR – April 14, 2pm – 3pm – Register HERE Communicating about Developmental Relationships: What to Do…

Week 3 of the quarantine, we're all starting to feel the grind. Local mental health agencies note that "self-care is more important than ever" (see article in Good Morning Wilton). Today we share more ideas & resources for getting through this period and for helping our families. Create structure in…

In our 2nd Coping with Corona post, we are responding to Frequently Asked Questions from community members and providers: How can I manage my stress? Support my own or my loved one's recovery? Access and pay for therapy? Provide telehealth? Find support in Spanish? 1. What's available to help manage…

We're all feeling anxious about the coronavirus and concerned about isolation in the coming weeks. Just remember: Social distancing doesn't have to mean social isolation! In fact, staying engaged with others is the best way to manage the stress, focus on positives, and worry less–even while "hunkering down" at home.…

Give feedback on new healthcare cost estimator! ALSO check out these webinars… "Gambling" – Youth Gambling in video games – by the Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) – March 30, 11am – 12pm – Register HERE How to Stay Mentally Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic- by Brain & Behavior Research…

Planning to play a lot of games while you're home due to COVID-19? While family time is important, everyone should be aware of the relationship between gaming, gambling, and addiction! #Problem Gambling Awareness Month Check out this 4-min. video from "Early Show" anchors & guest on video gaming addiction among…

The Upstanders Documentary film + Q&A: Greenwich Bowtie Cinemas March 3rd and Ridgefield Playhouse March 10th. ALSO check out these events (no flyers)… Please note that the Adult Mental Health First Aid training at Burroughs Community Center on March 4th is FULL. Public testimony at Certificate of Need (CON) hearing…