These resources are helpful information for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness or substance use:
Family Liaison Program: Do you have a loved one struggling with a mental illness and/or a substance use disorder? Do you feel alone and overwhelmed? Are you having trouble accessing resources? Click here to learn more about CHR’s Family Liaison Program.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI provides support and education to the families of loved ones who have been diagnosed with a mental health and/or substance use issue. The website offers support group schedules, publications, reports, videos and online discussion groups. NAMI has local chapters in cities all over the country that also offer classes and support groups, local chapters are also listed on website. One recommended class is NAMI Family-to-Family, a free 8-session educational program for families and friends of people with mental illness. This is an interactive class taught by families who have been there and includes presentations and discussions. The class covers topics such as how to problem solve and communicate effectively, how to manage stress and take care of yourself and the impact of mental health conditions on the entire family. Check the website below to see if a Family-to-Family class is scheduled in your area.
Click here for the NAMI National Website.
Click here for the NAMI CT Website.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA): A federal agency with information and resources on mental health and substance abuse as well as information for families. Click here to learn more.
Mental Health Connecticut promotes mental health and works to improve care and treatment of persons with mental illness. The website has information on legislative advocacy and educational programs.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): The lead federal agency for research on mental illness and mental disorders. Also provides detailed information on specific mental illnesses. Click here to learn more.
NFSTAC (National Family Support and Technical Assistance Center): The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center (NFSTAC) is a SAMHSA funded Center of excellence focused on serving families whose children experience mental health and substance use challenges across the lifespan by providing resources. Also provides technical assistance and training to the workforce, organizations and communities that support them. Click here to learn more.
Connecticut’s Free Information and Referral Service-2-1-1 Infoline: 2-1-1 Provides Listings of Resources is a single integrated source of community resources, including entitlement and assistance programs and housing and transportation information. Calling 2-1-1 is also the way to access a shelter in Connecticut. Dial 2-1-1 or visit their website.
Keep the Promise Coalition (KTP) is a Connecticut Coalition of advocates (people living with mental illness, family members, mental health professionals and interested community members) dedicated to ensuring that a comprehensive, community mental health system is created and sustained across the lifespan (children, adolescents, emerging adults, adults, older adults) and families in Connecticut. Please see website for more information, legislative priorities and ways to get involved.
Social & Family Wellbeing Resources:
Why Kids Need Mental Health Days, too – Especially Right Now: The pandemic has created added anxiety and pressures on children. Although, we need to encourage our kids to persevere and persist, it’s also important to encourage balance. Here is how to ensure your kids get a beneficial break when they truly need one.
Why Your Brain Feels Broken: It’s not just you, pandemic stress and multitasking can affect memory in a real way. Parents have moved from having very well-defined areas of work, kids and activities to a place where everything is mixed. Stress plus this epic level of multitasking is putting a real strain on our cognitive abilities.
The Kids Aren’t Alright: The pandemic is taking its toll on children’s mental health. Many kids are struggling, and parents are struggling with knowing how to help them. In this incredibly helpful episode, child and family therapist, Jennifer Kolari, gives parents some important tips on how to soothe and comfort your kids while building your emotional resilience during these trying times. This advice applies across age groups.
How to Apologize to Your Kids: Raising your voice or losing your cool from time to time is inevitable, because we are human. It’s what you do after that counts.
For more information make one simple call to our Assessment Center at 1.877.884.3571.