Mental Health Connecticut

Ever feel confused by the many terms used to describe mental health challenges—like mental illness, mental disorder, behavioral health issue, or mental health condition? They’re often used interchangeably, but do they really mean the same thing?

In our latest blog, Otto Wahl, Ph.D., a member of MHC’s Development Committee, breaks down the differences and clears up the confusion.

Read the full blog: https://www.mhconn.org/2025/06/16/mental-health-musings-mental-illness-terms/

Support is available. If you or someone you know is in crisis, you're not alone. This post shares LGBTQ+ affirming hotlines, crisis services, and su***de prevention resources. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to listen, support, and help.

View the full list: https://www.mhconn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/LGBTQ-Resources-in-CT-updated-June-2025.pdf?utm_campaign=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio

Please save and share this post. It may help someone when they need it most.

We’re excited to announce that, thanks to your generosity and dedication, we exceeded our Let's Face It fundraising goal!

We sincerely thank our sponsors, donors, supporters, and fundraisers; your support made this achievement possible. Your generosity drives our mission and inspires ongoing change.

If you haven’t already, we invite you to read this year’s compelling stories of lived experience, resilience, and hope.

https://www.mhconn.org/education/lets-face-it-2/

Join us on Thursday, July 10, 2025 for HRACC's HR Wellness Toolkit: Strategies for You and Your Staff event. This in-person session will provide practical tools to support a healthier workplace for both staff and leadership.

Our Director of Learning & Workforce Development, Jacquilyn Davis, CDP®, brings over 16 years of experience in mental health education. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, known for leading engaging trainings that foster environments supporting long-term health and wellness.

🕔 Doors open at 5:00 PM
📍 Goodwin University Community Room,
1 Riverside Drive, East Hartford, CT
🎓 Session submitted for HRCI and SHRM recertification credits
🔗 Online registration available until July 10
https://www.hracc.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1973344&group=

With recent changes to 988’s LGBTQ+ crisis support options, we want our community to know: you are not alone, and local resources are available.⁠
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Swipe through to find:⁠
🏠 Community Centers⁠
🩺 Health Services⁠
💬 Support Groups⁠
🚨 Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Resources⁠
👨‍👩‍👧 PFLAG Chapters⁠
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📍All resources listed are based in Connecticut.⁠
Save these, share them, and reach out when you need support.⁠
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📣 Thank you to the many local organizations contributing to the wellness of Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ community.

View the full list:https://www.mhconn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/LGBTQ-Resources-in-CT-updated-June-2025.pdf

Feeling drained or unmotivated? You’re not alone. Let’s talk about it. 🧠💡⁠
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Join ADHD Coach Robyn Greenspan, MS, ACC on Wednesday, July 23 from 12 to 1 PM for a free Virtual Lunch & Learn where she will share practical dopamine-boosting strategies to help you reset your focus, energy, and mindset.⁠
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This session is based on her book Dopamine Hacks and is perfect for anyone feeling burnout or overwhelmed. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and connect with a supportive community.⁠
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📲 Register for free: mhconn.org/event/mhc-virtual-lunch-learn-dopamine-hacks-for-the-burnt-out-brain

Robyn Greenspan
ADHD Coach Near You

In the wake of the recent tragic violence in Minnesota, where Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed and Senator John Hoffman and his wife were injured, Mental Health Connecticut reflects on how such acts of political violence affect our collective mental health.

In our latest blog, we examine the human toll of these tragedies, the far-reaching impact on communities, and practical steps we can take to promote safety, foster dialogue, and cultivate hope.

Read the full blog post: https://www.mhconn.org/2025/06/18/the-rising-tide-of-political-violence-and-how-we-move-forward/

This Pride Month, Mental Health Connecticut honors the courage, resilience, and authenticity of transgender, gender-diverse, and LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout Connecticut. We reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive and access the mental health care they deserve.

We are proud to partner with OurTransLife, an organization dedicated to fostering fellowship among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals in the Greater Bridgeport region. Through peer-led groups, community education, and advocacy, OurTransLife works tirelessly to create environments of inclusivity and authenticity.

In April 2025, we joined together to offer a trauma-informed, arts-based mental health workshop series combining Mental Health Connecticut’s Art of Wellbeing with OurTransLife’s TRANScend Arts Programming. This initiative provided LGBTQIA+ youth and allies with creative tools to build resilience and connection.

Learn more about OurTransLife and their ongoing work at ourtranslife.org.

Feeling mentally drained? Struggling to stay motivated or focused? Join Certified ADHD Coach Near You Robyn Greenspan, MS on Wednesday, July 23 at 12:00 p.m. (EDT) for a dynamic, free virtual Lunch & Learn hosted by Mental Health Connecticut.

In this 45-minute session, Robyn will share simple, science-backed strategies to boost dopamine and re-energize your brain. Whether you're an overwhelmed professional, a caregiver or simply feeling stuck, you’ll walk away with practical tools to combat burnout and regain momentum.

What You'll Gain:
-A better understanding of the dopamine-burnout connection
-Easy, actionable hacks to reset your energy and motivation
-Hope and helpful support in a judgment-free space

Where: Online (Zoom – link provided upon registration)

🗓️ When: Wednesday, July 23 | 12:00–12:45 p.m. EDT
🎟️ How: Reserve your FREE spot now: https://www.mhconn.org/event/mhc-virtual-lunch-learn-dopamine-hacks-for-the-burnt-out-brain/

As July approaches, we honor Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, recognizing the lasting impact of Campbell’s advocacy and writing. A bestselling author, journalist, and co-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles, Campbell was a leading voice in raising awareness about the mental health needs of African Americans and other marginalized communities.

Her work broke silence and stigma, calling for access, equity, and culturally responsive care.

In that same spirit, we offer Mental Health First Aid which is a certified training that equips adults to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. Participants learn how to offer support, connect individuals with care, and promote wellness in their communities.

This training is open to employers, healthcare professionals, first responders, and anyone committed to building a more informed and compassionate community.

Learn more about our Mental Health Workshops: https://www.mhconn.org/education/mental-health-workshops/

🎉 That’s a wrap on MHC’s Discover Your Inner Writer Series at CREC Impact Academy! 📝✨

Over the past couple of months, students from CREC embraced their creativity, built their writing practice, and discovered the power of self-expression through storytelling with MHC’s Art of Wellbeing team. Through weekly workshops at our Art of Wellbeing Studio, participants explored connection, creativity, and confidence in a welcoming, inspiring space.

A huge thank you to Macy's for making this possible and for showing up in support of young writers in Hartford! 💚 Your generosity and partnership continue to make a real difference.

Here’s to the next generation of storytellers. We’re so proud of all that you’ve created!

💚 Thank you, Macy's, for helping us create something truly special. 💚⁠
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Together, Mental Health Connecticut and OurTransLife piloted a powerful workshop series at Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport. The curriculum combined art, identity, and mental health tools for Transgender, Non-Binary, Gender Diverse adolescents, and their allies. Every week, the group showed up with courage and creativity, and thanks to Macy’s, we ended the series with a showcase event they’ll never forget. Hosted at Macy’s in Trumbull, the final workshop included a wrap-up session as well as gift bags, gift cards, and gender-affirming clothing and beauty tutorials, all generously provided by Macy’s.⁠
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Macy’s support celebrated our students for exactly who they are. This is what inclusive mental health support looks like. 💫⁠
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