Here’s What You Can Do In Just 5 Minutes
Every voice counts. We’ve heard the sentiment before, but here in New Canaan over 30 local organizations have come together to make it a reality. This month, the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance (NCBHA) is urging all residents to participate in an anonymous 5-minute Community Health & Well-being Survey, running from October 1st to 31st. It’s a critical survey for our town – with the potential to unlock both federal and state funding to support New Canaan’s health and well-being – but only if we all take the time to give our input.
The survey aims to gather anonymous insights from residents 18 years and older – from every household – that will ultimately guide the decisions and resources impacting our community’s physical and mental health.
Our community wants to support areas of greatest need, and to do so strategically. “Are we putting dollars and our time and energy into the things that matter? If there are gaps in services, can we strengthen those areas?” said Lauren Patterson, President & CEO of the New Canaan Community Foundation, a leader and member of the NCBHA.
The New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance was convened by the Town of New Canaan, Silver Hill Hospital, and New Canaan Community Foundation in 2022, concurrently with the launch of the New Canaan Urgent Assessment program. It has since gathered widespread support from over thirty organizations ranging from the town’s emergency services, public and private educational institutions, and dozens of nonprofit organizations. It’s an impressive alliance that shares a mission to prioritize, streamline, and to advocate for behavioral health needs.
The Community Health & Well-being Survey is the first collaborative project from the NCBHA. The goal? 100% town participation from residents over 18. It’s ambitious, but essential to ensure that all perspectives are included. The insights gathered will help New Canaan’s leaders determine the best ways to allocate resources and address any gaps in current services. “This survey is crucial in helping us better understand our residents’ knowledge of the services that already exist and identify the gaps where additional support is needed,” said Dr. Andrew Gerber, President & Medical Director at Silver Hill Hospital, a convener of the NCBHA. “The New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance is here for our community, but we can only be successful if we reach everyone—especially the most vulnerable. This collaborative approach ensures that every voice is heard and that our resources are directed where they are most needed.”
Colleen Prostor, Executive Director of New Canaan CARES and a member of the NCBHA, whose organization provides free programming and support to strengthen the community, sees the survey as a vital planning tool: “I’m eager to see the actual data from residents—from young adults up to senior citizens. The insights we gain will be instrumental in creating targeted programming where our community needs it most.”
By taking just 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey, residents can have an impact. For example, in other Fairfield County communities, survey data has allowed communities to be eligible for state and federal funding sources. In several cases, those communities have successfully secured funding and now have begun to positively impact the trends revealed in their periodic assessments.
While many other communities’ surveys specifically focus on youth, this one in New Canaan is for all ages. “We intentionally wanted to be holistic and think about the adults and parents in their lives and just how we as individuals in this town are faring,” Patterson said.
Participants will be asked anonymously about various aspects of their health and well-being, including: access to and knowledge of local health services, community involvement, barriers to accessing physical and mental health services, attitudes and concerns regarding well-being issues, including emotional health, discrimination, and substance use, and life satisfaction and financial stability. In addition, parents who have one or more children living at home will be asked additional questions about their children’s health and well-being.
For many, participating in the survey feels like a small but meaningful way to support this behavioral health movement in the community, “I took the survey. It was quick and easy,” said Michelle Riley, a supporter of the Survey through the NCBHA’s Adult Advocate group. “My hope is that friends will tell friends, and everyone takes a moment to share their experiences and insights. The time is now. It’s the only way we’ll build a clearer picture of our town’s overall health needs.”
The survey methodology and administration is in the experienced hands of Nina Chanana, who has administered similar surveys across Connecticut. “In my experience working with other communities, widespread participation in a community health & well-being survey not only leads to tangible, programmatic results but also opens the door for state and federal funding to support comprehensive behavioral health initiatives,” said Chanana. “In a town like New Canaan, where civic engagement runs deep, the potential impact of this survey could be profound, shaping the future of the community’s health and well-being resources.”
The survey is available online at NewCanaanBHA.org. Results will be posted on the same website over time, as well as released at public events where residents can engage in discussions about next steps. For those who prefer completing a paper copy of the survey, they will be available throughout October at the New Canaan Library, New Canaan YMCA, Lapham Center and Walter Stewart’s.
It takes an entire community to make meaningful change. “By taking just 5-10 minutes to participate in this survey, you will have an immense impact – directly guiding decisions around funding, services, and community planning, helping our town better respond to the evolving needs of its people,” said Patterson.
