The resources below include helpful information for children, families, and adults impacted by mental illness or substance use. For more information about CHR and how we can help, call our Triage Center at 1.877.884.3571
Mental Health & Substance Use Resources:
CHR’s Adult Program Family Resources Guide: Resources and information for family members of a loved one with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. Click here to view CHR’s Adult Program Family Resources Guide.
Mental Health First Aid – Trainings Click here to learn more.
View the Mental Health Awareness Resource Manual here.
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. For further information or support, please reference the following contact information below.
NAMI Connecticut’s Information Line and Email
Phone: 860-882-0236 (not a crisis line)
Email Address: info@namict.org
NAMI Connecticut area crisis line
Crisis Line: 988
NAMI HelpLine (M – F, 10 a.m.–10 p.m., ET.)
800-950-NAMI (6264)
Click here for the NAMI National Website.
Click here for the NAMI CT Website.
Al-Anon: Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people who have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon provides people with the space to share common experiences and teaches Al-Anon principles that families and friends of alcoholics can apply to their daily lives. To find a meeting in CT, use the Meetings Tab at the top of the webpage to find a meeting that best suits your needs or call Al-Anon CT at 1-888-8AL-ANON (1-888-825-2666).
Click here for the Al-Anon Website.
Click here for the Al-Anon 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. NIMH 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): 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 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 impacted memory in a real way. Parents 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 took its toll on children’s mental health. Many kids are still 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.