Prevention Training and Technical Assistance Service Center

🏳️‍🌈 Mental health matters — especially during Pride Month, as we honor the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

LGBTQIA+ individuals are more likely to face mental health challenges due to discrimination, stigma, and lack of access to affirming care. 💬 But community connection, early intervention, and informed support can make all the difference.

Want to deepen your understanding? Check out our on-demand presentation: “Current Issues of Mental, Emotional, Behavioral Health” — available now on our website! This training explores emerging trends, warning signs, and effective strategies for promoting mental well-being across our communities.

🔗 Visit https://preventiontrainingcenter.org/tools/ to access the presentation and other mental health resources.

Today, we honor Juneteenth — a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the resilience, freedom, and power of Black Americans.

At TTASC, we recognize that true freedom includes freedom from health disparities. It includes equitable access to mental health resources, substance use prevention services, and affirming care for every community — especially those who have been historically excluded from those systems.
Prevention is not one-size-fits-all. When we center equity in our work, we build healthier communities for everyone.

On this Juneteenth, we commit to continuing that work — listening, learning, and showing up for all the communities we serve. 💛❤️🖤

🔗 Explore culturally responsive prevention resources: preventiontrainingcenter.org

🧠 : Substance use prevention must be intersectional.

Research shows that LGBTQIA+ adults are more than twice as likely as non-LGBTQIA+ adults to use illicit substances, largely due to minority stress — the chronic stress caused by stigma, discrimination, and the experience of marginalization.

Prevention strategies that address root causes — not just behaviors — are essential. This means:
✅ Creating affirming environments
✅ Addressing social determinants of health
✅ Training prevention professionals in cultural humility

When we reduce minority stress, we reduce risk. That's prevention at its most powerful.

Tip: Stay Safe During Summer Adventures!

Summer is the perfect time to soak up the sun and enjoy outdoor activities—but safety should always come first, especially around water. Whether you're on a lake, river, or the ocean, boating safety saves lives.

🛟 Boating Safety Tips:
✔️ Always wear a life jacket
✔️ Never operate a boat under the influence
✔️ Take a boating safety course
✔️ Keep an eye on the weather forecast
✔️ Ensure kids are supervised at all times

Safe fun is the best kind of fun. Let’s protect our families, friends, and communities this summer by making smart choices on and off the water! 🌊🌞

📣 Stay Tuned Tuesday! Did you know TTASC and The Hub CT partnered to create a recorded training specifically focused on LGBTQIA+ Youth and Prevention? 🏳️‍🌈

Whether you're a prevention professional, educator, or community member, this session equips you with foundational knowledge to better support LGBTQIA+ youth — covering inclusive vocabulary, CT-specific data, the SPF framework, and actionable prevention strategies.

🎥 Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2C24DUrXA

LGBTQIA+ Youth and Prevention, Part 1: Introduction to Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth, Oct.19, 2022. Presented by TTASC and The Hub. In session 1, participants will1....

🧠 : What does prevention look like for LGBTQIA+ youth?

Research consistently shows that LGBTQIA+ young people face elevated risk factors — including higher rates of bullying, family rejection, and mental health challenges. But here's what prevention science also tells us: PROTECTIVE FACTORS WORK.

✅ Supportive family members
✅ Affirming school environments
✅ Access to inclusive mental health resources
✅ Strong peer communities

When protective factors are present, outcomes improve dramatically. Prevention isn't just about reducing risk — it's about building the conditions where every young person can thrive.

🔗 Explore LGBTQIA+ resources at: preventiontrainingcenter.org/connecticut-partners

🌈This , we're celebrating the rainbow of self-care — because wellness looks different for everyone, and that's something to honor.

For LGBTQIA+ individuals, finding affirming spaces for wellness is especially important. This month, we encourage everyone to explore what rest, joy, and healing look like for you.

🌿 Wellness Tip: Identify one affirming person, space, or resource in your life today. Connection to supportive community is one of the strongest protective factors we know.

🏳️‍🌈🚭 This Pride Month, we're spotlighting a coalition that's doing powerful, community-centered prevention work right here in Connecticut — the True to You (T2U) Coalition.

T2U is a statewide effort dedicated to supporting Connecticut's LGBTQIA+ community in living to***co- and vape-free. Why does this matter so much? Research shows that LGBTQIA+ individuals use to***co at significantly higher rates than the general population — and minority stress plays a major role in that disparity.

True prevention means addressing the whole person, within their community, in culturally affirming ways. That's exactly what T2U does.

Whether you're thinking about quitting, looking for resources, or want to champion to***co-free living as the norm in your community — T2U has something for you:

🔗 Learn more & join the coalition: ctclearinghouse.org/true-to-you-coalition

True To You Coalition True To You Coalition

Know the Law. Protect Our Youth. 🏡

As prom and graduation season kicks off, it’s essential to understand Connecticut’s Social Host Laws. These laws make it illegal to knowingly permit underage drinking or cannabis use in your home—even if you didn’t provide it.

⚠️ Violations can lead to legal consequences, fines, and serious health risks for young people.
Hosting responsibly means creating a safe, substance-free environment for all.

Let’s celebrate safely and set the standard for healthy choices.
📚 Learn more and find prevention resources at preventiontrainingcenter.org

🌈 Connecticut is CELEBRATING this June! Pride Month events are happening all across the state — and we love seeing our communities come together in joy, solidarity, and love.

At TTASC, we know that community belonging is one of the most powerful protective factors there is. When LGBTQIA+ individuals feel seen, celebrated, and connected, it makes a real difference in mental health and well-being.

So whether you're attending a local pride parade, a community gathering, or simply showing up as an ally — know that your presence matters.

Check out Pride celebrations happening across Connecticut this month: ctvisit.com/articles/pride-month-celebrations

Pride Celebrations 2026 June is Pride Month, and there are LGBTQ celebrations and events planned for towns all over the state. Here are some of the happenings taking place in Connecticut.