After the tragedy in Sandy Hook, the federal government called for an open
dialogue on mental health to lift the silence and make it easier for people to
seek or provide support.
Margaret
Watt, MPH, MA, the new Executive Director of the Southwest Regional Mental
Health Board (SWRMHB), will discuss new mental health initiatives in our
region, including the Community
Conversations on Mental Health and the Young
Adult "E-Engagement" Project.
In Fairfield County, the Community Conversations provide an opportunity for concerned community members to
learn and talk about mental health, to identify barriers and gaps in their
community, and to make recommendations for local action. The goals are to
destigmatize mental health by fostering an open dialogue, and to empower
individuals to work toward "healthy minds, healthy communities."
The Young Adult E-Engagement Project is a
new project aimed at engaging young adults in mental health services through
technology. In the coming year the project will be gathering and using feedback
from young adult consumers to develop a web-based "user's guide to
navigating the system." The site will include online peer support, peer
stories, and a decision tree.
Find out what's happening in Stamfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
SWRMHB is
a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a high-quality mental health
system that promotes recovery and wellbeing for the residents of southwestern
CT. We promote awareness, evaluate programs and services, and represent the
needs of our region at the state level. Please visit www.healthymindsct.org.
Hosted by the Stamford/Greenwich affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI),
the event is open to the public and free of charge. Call 203-388-1603 for
information.
NAMI is a national, grassroots nonprofit organization
dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with mental illness and their
families. Check the website: www.namisg.info for more details.
