As Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds, the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) and many partner organizations collaborate to bolster mental health awareness and support throughout the community. A new resource website, outreach in the town’s downtown area, and several new events hope to help increase access for individuals and families in our community.
NCCF, the Town of New Canaan, and Silver Hill Hospital help coordinate the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance (NCBHA), a coalition of more than 30 local organizations that work together to encourage, develop and support a greater community awareness of behavioral health issues and resources in our area. On May 1, the Alliance launched its new website, www.newcanaanbha.org, as a simple page to streamline access to resources. Finding the right behavioral health support for yourself, a family member or a friend can feel overwhelming and this tool is a direct response to this identified issue.
From May 6 to 19, residents and visitors to New Canaan’s downtown will see a visual symbol of this launch, as NCCF will adorn downtown New Canaan’s lamp posts with green ribbons and information about the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance. Additionally, this initiative showcases New Canaan’s commitment to participating in the broader nationwide observance of Mental Health Awareness Month.
This month, NCCF also supports the “She Cares” program by LiveGirl, which offers year-round, free mentorship for girls. On May 14, the She Cares Circle will present “A Garden of Stories” at the New Canaan Library, an interactive public art installation that invites community members to share what helps them grow. This installation will foster a participative dialogue on mental health and is accessible outside the Children’s Room through May 31.
Many of these initiatives are being supported through NCCF’s “Community Behavioral Health Fund,” launched in May of last year as a next phase in NCCF’s six years of work on the issue. Taking a holistic approach to well-being, the Fund strives for a healthy and connected community that embraces all aspects of mental health. It aims to break down barriers to mental health care by ensuring better access to vital services, reducing stigma, tracking and understanding local data, measuring the impact of interventions, and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders. Last summer, the Fund allocated $50,000 to support the second year of the New Canaan Urgent Assessment Program at Silver Hill Hospital. This program connects those in urgent need of mental health treatment with timely psychiatric assessments and tailored referrals for ongoing care, serving children, adolescents, and adults at no out-of-pocket cost to residents.
NCCF has compiled a list of community events in May during Mental Health Awareness Month and will continue to share these resources and upcoming events in its monthly newsletter. These events, supported collectively by NCCF, aim to enhance understanding, reduce stigma, and provide practical support for mental health in our community.
For more details on these events and other mental health initiatives supported by NCCF, to sign up for their newsletter or to donate to the Community Behavioral Health Fund and support this strategic work, please visit www.newcanaancf.org
New Canaan Unites for Mental Health Awareness Month
Launch of New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance Website
Location: Online at newcanaanbha.org
Description: The New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance’s new website is a new initiative aimed at enhancing the accessibility and awareness of behavioral health resources in the community. This launch represents a major step in consolidating local efforts and resources under one umbrella to better serve the residents of New Canaan with easier access to more cohesive and comprehensive mental health services.
Participation: For more details on how to get involved or benefit from the Alliance, visit New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance.
NCCF Involvement: As co-founder and key organizer, NCCF has played a crucial role in the establishment and strategic direction of the Alliance.
Awareness Campaign: New Canaan Goes Green in May
Date/Time: May 6-19, 2024
Location: Downtown New Canaan
Description: The lamp posts in downtown New Canaan will be adorned with green ribbons, symbolizing community support for mental health awareness. Informational flyers will provide valuable resources from the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance.
Participation: Residents and visitors are encouraged to walk through the town, observe the decorations, and read the informational flyers to learn more about local mental health resources.
Suicide Prevention Training: Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR)
Date/Time: May 17, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: New Canaan Library McLaughlin Meeting Room
Description: In partnership with the Health Department of New Canaan, this training session offers the QPR approach to suicide prevention. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. The class is designed to teach individuals how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
RSVP: https://www.newcanaanlibrary.org/
S.T.A.R & Silver Hill Hospital Present: Social Media, Loneliness, & Mental Health
Date/Time: May 21, 2024, at 7 pm
Location: The Martin Center, Silver Hill Hospital, New Canaan, CT
Description: In partnership with the Health Department of New Canaan and the New Canaan Library, this event will provide insights into the complexities of social media usage and its linkage to feelings of isolation and loneliness, highlighting both the challenges and actionable solutions. Experts in psychology, social behavior, and digital media will share their perspectives, offering strategies for developing healthier digital habits and fostering more meaningful personal connections. Engage in meaningful conversations with professionals and community members alike, and leave with practical tips for managing your relationship with social media to enhance your overall well-being.
RSVP: www.STAR-CT.org
