Discover How NCCF is Supporting Mental Health in New Canaan This May!
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.
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.
Here Are 5 Ways To See NCCF's "Community Behavioral Health Fund" in Action
1. Launch of New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance
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.
2. New Canaan Goes Green Downtown
From May 6 to 19, residents and visitors to New Canaan’s downtown will see a visual symbol of this launch of the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance, 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.
We invite you to spread the word and join us in going green. On May 16, we will celebrate Mental Health Action Day, where organizations across the US will encourage our culture from awareness to action on mental health. Just like our physical health, we can take action to improve our mental health.
3. SHE CARES By LiveGirl Public Art Installation Pop-Up Event
This month, NCCF also supports the "She Cares" program by Live Girl, 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.
4. New Canaan Urgent Assessment
Last summer, the Community Behavioral Health 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.
5. New Canaan Unites for Mental Health Awareness Month
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.
Launch of New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance
Date/Time: May 1, 2024
Location: Online at newcanaanbha.org
Description: The New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance 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 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 a key supporter, NCCF has played a crucial role in the establishment and strategic direction of the Alliance.
New Canaan Goes Green in May
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.
NCCF Involvement: NCCF has orchestrated this campaign, planning and implementing the logistics to ensure the town is visually unified in support of mental health.
From Loneliness to Connection: Learning & Healing with Experts from Silver Hill
Date/Time: Monday, May 6, 2024, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Jim & Dede Bartlett Auditorium + Community Room + Kend Kitchen
Description: This event addresses the modern epidemic of loneliness, exploring its various forms and impacts on physical and mental health, emotional well-being, and life achievement. Experts from Silver Hill Hospital, including Jeff Katzman, MD, Ben Bernstein, PhD, and Cheryl Bundy, D.Min, will offer a deep dive into the causes of widespread loneliness and share practical strategies for fostering a meaningful and connected life.
Unraveling Anxiety: Building Resilience and Healthy Coping Skills
Date/Time: May 13, 2024, at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Waveny House
Description: This event features a panel of experts–including New Canaan’s very own Kimberly Morgan, APRN and Devon Suozzi, LCSW, of The Mindwell Center–to discuss the challenges and solutions related to children's anxiety in today's digital age. The session aims to empower parents and educators with strategies to help children build resilience and develop healthy coping mechanisms in an increasingly connected world. A light brunch will be provided by NCCF.
NCCF Involvement: NCCF is a sponsor of this event, providing a platform for local experts to share their insights.
SHE CARES by Live Girl Public Art Installation Pop-Up Event
Date/Time: May 14, 2024, 5-7 p.m. Installation will be up May 14 through May 31, 2024
Location: New Canaan Public Library, outside the Children’s Room
Description: This engaging event, supported by NCCF, features interactive art installations and yoga sessions led by high school leaders from the She Cares program. The event aims to raise awareness about mental health issues among young women and provide a space for creative expression and physical wellness.
NCCF Involvement: NCCF funded this pop-up by Live Girl’s SHE CARES program, aiding in public engagement
New Canaan Support Group's Pathway Session: Financial Safety Net for your Loved One
Date/Time: May 15, 2024, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Library Room
Description: As part of New Canaan Support Group's monthly Pathway Sessions, they will host an informative session led by Jim Funnell, a Trust & Estates lawyer specializing in assisting families with special needs. This discussion will focus on creating a financial safety net for children disabled due to mental health conditions. Explore various financial strategies and learn how you can secure your loved one's future. The session is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Library Room at St. Mark's, accessible through the door nearest to the flagpole.
NCCF Involvement: NCCF is the proud fiscal sponsor of the New Canaan Parent Support Group, housing their charitable fund.
Preschool Parenting: How do I help my child manage their behavior?
Date/Time: Thursday, May 16, 2024, 9:30am - 10:30am
Location: New Canaan Public Library, Craig B. Tate Conference Room
Description: Join New Canaan CARES and Dr. Evelyn Bilias Lolis from Fairfield University's School of Education & Human Development for a practical workshop on fostering positive behavior in young children. Discover research-based strategies for nurturing compassion, setting healthy boundaries, and enhancing self-esteem and connectedness in preschoolers. Dr. Evelyn will provide actionable advice on how the language and actions of parents can shape their child's behavior and self-talk, using a foundation of positive psychology
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 and the New Canaan Library, 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
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: 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.
NCCF Involvement: NCCF helped make this event possible through its financial support.
For more details on these events and other mental health initiatives supported by NCCF, to sign up for the newsletter, or to donate to the Community Behavioral Health Fund to support this strategic work.