:::
:::
Resource Library
This section provides a wealth of information, references, and education on a variety of mental health related topics, skill builders, legal rights, and services.
············<§>············
- AAHD Scholarship Program
In 2009, the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) created the AAHD Scholarship Program, which will support students with disabilities who are pursuing higher education. Preference will be given to students who plan to pursue undergraduate/graduate studies in the field of public health, health promotion, disability studies, to include disability policy and disability research. See AAHD Scholarship Program for details and application form.
- Ability Beyond Disability
For over 55 years, Ability Beyond Disability has been the premiere resource helping individuals with disabilities pursue lives that most people take for granted. Finding homes where people can live, providing supports that they can count on, training them to work and then helping them to find jobs. And above all, teaching people the skills so that they can make friends, pursue their interests, feel good about themselves by volunteering, and in essence…have a life.
Ability Beyond Disability also specializes in creating employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities and the economically challenged. Are you someone with a disability who is looking for a job? Are you an agency, organization, corporation, or business looking to hire someone with a disability? Then check out Employment Resources available from Ability Beyond Disability.
- Advance Directives
Connecticut specific information regarding Advance Directives with links to other prominent Advance Directives resources.
- Anti-Stigma/Anti-Discrimination Resources
Links to resources dealing with anti-stigma and providing help and education about the myths, misconceptions, and bias surrounding mental illness.
Resources include the BringChangetoMind web resource created by Glenn Close, the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF), Fountain House, and Garen and Shari Staglin of the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO) for help in dealing with mental health stigma, misconceptions, and bias. The idea of a national anti-stigma campaign was born of a partnership between Glenn Close and Fountain House, where Glenn volunteered in order to learn about mental illness, which both her sister Jessie Close and nephew Calen Pick live with.
The national Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is now partnering with BringChangetoMind. DBSA is working with BringChange2Mind.org to provide additional resources for individuals seeking support and information regarding depression and bipolar disorder. Both Jessie Close and Calen Pick will be keynote speakers at the DBSA 2010 National Conference being held April 30 - May 2, 2010.
- Asian Family Services
Asian Family Services, a program of Community Renewal Team, Inc., helps the Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant community to address their mental, physical, social and emotional needs in a culturally competent, holistic, integrated environment. AFS is the only mental health agency in the state that concentrates on the growing Asian population of the region, providing services in the preferred language of the client. Clinicians, health educators and case managers help individuals and families deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of acculturation, family violence, compulsive gambling, job loss and poverty. In addition to individual, family, and group counseling, AFS provides citizenship classes, care coordination, advocacy, health education, and recreation.
- AU Newsletter
You can sign-up to receive our newsletter by email, or read it online!
- Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
This is a link to the CMHS website. CMHS is charged with leading the national system that delivers mental health services. The goal of this system is to provide the treatment and support services needed by adults with mental disorders and children with serious emotional problems.
- CMHS - Mental Health Block Grant
This is a link to the State Planning/Mental Health Block Grant section of the CMHS website. The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) State Planning Branch awards grants to states for providing mental health services to people with mental illnesses.
- CMHS - State Resource Guide for Connecticut
Part of the CMHS website, this resource guide provides contact information for mental health agencies and advocacy organizations in Connecticut, including the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Protection and Advocacy, the Health Care Financing Administration, National Mental Health Association, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and statewide consumer organizations.
- Connecticut Clubhouses and Social Clubs
Here you'll find a listing of Connecticut Clubhouses and Social Clubs. You can locate a club by either city or clubhouse name.
- Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
CCADV is comprised of 18 programs throughout Connecticut. These programs provide services to victims of domestic violence. Their services are confidential, and available to all individuals regardless of age, race, religion, sexual preference, class, or physical ability. They offer safety planning, advocacy, information, referrals, counseling, support groups and emergency shelter. You can be immediately connected with a program in your area by calling our toll free domestic violence toll free hotline 1-888-774-2900.
- Connecticut Crisis Services
This is a link to the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services' comprehensive list of crisis centers. Crisis centers are located throughout the state, and through the above link you can locate services by town or region.
For Crisis Intervention Services by Region, see:
Crisis Intervention Services Region One
Crisis Intervention Services Region Two
Crisis Intervention Services Region Three
Crisis Intervention Services Region Four
Crisis Intervention Services Region Five
- Connecticut General Assembly
This is a link to the Connecticut General Assembly website.
- Connecticut General Statutes
This is a link to the General Statutes of Connecticut. The first page provides information on the organization of the statutes and instructions on how to search or browse this information.
- Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc.
CLRP is a nonprofit agency providing legal services for individuals with or in recovery from psychiatric disabilities, whether they are in hospitals or in the community.
- Connecticut Legal Services
Connecticut Legal Services is a private, non-profit, civil law firm dedicated to helping low-income families and individuals obtain justice. The bulk of their work consists of providing civil law representation and counseling to thousands of low-income families and individuals each year.
- Connecticut Legislative Guide
This is a link to the 2010 Legislative Guide (.pdf document, opens in a new browser window) on the General Assembly website. Prior years can be linked to from here.
- Connecticut Office of Managed Care Ombudsman
Now called the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, the State of Connecticut's Office of Managed Care Ombudsman is a powerful Independent State Agency that Helps Connecticut's 1,700,000 managed care patients with their problems related to managed care. The toll free number in Connecticut is 866-HMO-4446 (1-866-466-4446). This independent agency was created by the Connecticut State Legislature and the Governor and has a broad base of powers.
- Connecticut's Network of Care for Behavioral Health
The Network of Care site is a resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental health. It provides information about mental health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features. Regardless of where you begin your search for assistance with mental health issues, the Network of Care helps you find what you need
- Connecticut Public Transportation Info
This is a complete directory of information about Connecticut's ridesharing, van pooling, and public transportation resources, including train and bus schedules, bus routes, Rideshare, Easy Street, etc.
- Connecticut Shelters
Links to contact info for food, homeless, and emergency shelters in Connecticut:
• HomelessShelterDirectory.org (Connecticut)
• Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC Charities)
• Connecticut Domestic Violence Shelters
- Connecticut Trauma Info and Help
Links to various trauma resources:
• Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Center for Trauma Response, Recovery and Preparedness
• DMHAS Trauma Initiative
• Trauma Matters
• Warm Lines and Crisis Lines
• Women and Children's Programs
Also see Trauma-Informed Care below for links to national trauma resources.
- Domestic Violence Resources
Resources that can provide help regarding domestic violence issues:
• Asian Family Services
• Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Connecticut Domestic Violence Shelters
- Driving Directions to Key Locations
Detailed driving directions to the AU Office and other locations frequently used for AU activities, meetings, classes, legislative activities, and other pertinent events.
- Drug Information from DrugWatch.com
DrugWatch.com is a comprehensive drug reference featuring extensive information about thousands of different medications and drugs currently on the market or previously available worldwide. This site includes up-to-date information about prescription and over-the-counter medications and details about associated drug side effects to aid in the protection of patients and consumers.
- Drug Interactions from DrugDigest.org
A very handy web page for checking drug interactions. This interactive tool from DrugDigest.com is driven by a database of more than 5,000 drugs, vitamins, and herbals and 11,500 potential interactions. If you or any of your friends or family members take prescription drugs, you should find this web page very useful (opens in a new browser window).
- General Assistance Recovery Supports Program (Formerly Basic Needs Program)
This is a link to the General Assistance Recovery Supports Program section of the DMHAS website, which contains complete information about the program. Formerly the Basic Needs Program, the General Assistance Recovery Supports Program (GA RSP) is a program administered by the State of Connecticut to assist eligible participants with basic living needs. The program is for SAGA recipients engaged in behavioral health treatment services who are temporarily unemployed and not receiving cash benefits. GA RSP is not an entitlement but rather is designed to provide temporary assistance to eligible participants when no other community resources are available.
- Greater Hartford Legal Aid
Greater Hartford Legal Aid is a not-for-profit legal services agency whose staff helps clients with civil legal issues. We are advocates -- primarily lawyers and paralegals -- who use our resources and know-how to help people who have little money. Since 1958, GHLA attorneys have represented thousands of people and won significant victories for our clients in the fight for justice.
- Housing and Mortgages for People with Disabilities
A comprehensive guide on housing and mortgages for people with disabilities covering everything from the process of buying a house to financial assistance and terminology.
- HUD - Housing for Persons with Disabilities
This is a link to the HUD website section for people with disabilities. It contains information from all parts of HUD's website and brings together everything pertaining to housing for persons with disabilities. Specific information that can assist advocates in finding affordable and accessible units is available at HUD's Subsidized Multifamily Units web page.
- Legal Services in Connecticut
A listing and map of legal service agencies in Connecticut for low-income and elderly individuals. Also see on this page:
Connecticut Legal Rights Project
Connecticut Legal Services
Greater Hartford Legal Aid
New Haven Legal Assistance Association
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut
- Local Mental Health Authorities
A listing of the primary Mental Health Authority in each region, along with a link to the DMHAS web page of all MHA's in the region.
- Malta House of Care
Malta House of Care provides free basic primary health care to the uninsured at various locations in the city of Hartford.
- Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy
The Low-Income Subsidy, also known as "Extra Help," provides financial assistance for some Medicare Part D beneficiaries who have limited income and resources. Those who are eligible for this low-income subsidy will get help paying for 75% or more of their monthly premium, yearly deductible, prescription co-insurance and co-payments and no gap in coverage. See Low Income Subsidy for complete info.
- NAMI Connecticut
NAMI-CT is the only Connecticut organization affiliated with NAMI, the nation's leading grassroots family and consumer organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with serious mental illnesses and their families. Founded in 1984 by a group of Connecticut families, NAMI-CT is now the strongest family and consumer organization in the state, serving thousands of people. NAMI-CT offers support, education, and advocacy to people living with psychiatric conditions, family members, friends, professionals and the public at large. Visit the NAMI-CT website.
- New Haven Legal Assistance Association
The New Haven Legal Assistance Association (LAA) provides high-quality legal services to individuals, families and groups in the greater New Haven area, including the lower Naugatuck Valley, who are unable to obtain legal services because of limited income, age, disability, discrimination and other barriers. LAA was one of the first legal services programs established and the federal government used it as a model for similar programs throughout the country. LAA continues to provide free legal services to eligible individuals and families in the greater New Haven area.
- Olmstead 10th Anniversary: Still waiting…the Unfulfilled Promise of Olmstead
On the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law issues this call to action to inform advocates, policymakers, and the public about the vital role the Supreme Court's landmark decision plays in enabling people with mental illnesses to benefit from community life. Too many people with mental illnesses remain segregated in board-and-care homes, nursing facilities, and other institutional placements at high cost to strapped state mental health systems, even though supportive community living is cost-effective–and the right thing to do. The time for action is long past! See the full article (.pdf document, opens in a new browser window).
- Patient's Rights
Information about patient's rights from the General Statutes of Connecticut, specifically Sections 17a, 540 - 550 which deal with Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities and their rights.
Also see The Rights of People with Mental Illness in Connecticut.
- Person-First Language
Person-First language - The Language Used to Describe Individuals With Disabilities, a resource from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (opens in a new browser window). Also see People First Language: Dignity, Not Semantics in the Featured Articles section.
- Prescription Drug Interactions
See Drug Interactions.
- Public Internet Access Sites in CT
Find public Internet access sites, either in specific towns or throughout Connecticut.
- Recovery Core Values
Recovery Basic Premises and Recovery Core Values for the Mental Health and Addictions Recovery System, as developed by Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. and The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR).
- Recovering Your Mental Health Self-Help Guides
SAMHSA's series of self-help guides providing facts, strategies, and ideas that consumers/survivors have found helpful in exercising best practices in promoting wellness and preventing illness. The information in this series supports recovery in conjunction with health care treatment.
- Regional Mental Health Boards
A listing of Connecticut's five Regional Mental Health Boards, along with a link to the Catchment Area Councils (CAC's) in each region.
- The Rights of People with Mental Illness in Connecticut
The complete and definitive booklet, written by Yale law student Carl Riehl with the assistance of Attorneys Edward Mattison and Thomas Behrendt, describing the legal rights of people with mental illness in Connecticut. Also see Patient's Rights.
- SafeLink Wireless - Free Cell Phones and Minutes
Lifeline Assistance is part of a program that was created by the government to provide discounted or free telephone service to income-eligible consumers. Over twenty years ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Lifeline Program to help guarantee Universal Service in the US. The Lifeline Program provides discounted telephone service to low-income families and individuals that otherwise would find it difficult to pay for telephone service. To help bring you this important benefit, SafeLink Wireless is pleased to offer Lifeline Service.
SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides free cell phones and airtime each month for income-eligible customers. Through SafeLink's Lifeline Service, you will receive FREE cellular service, a FREE cell phone, and FREE Minutes every month! SafeLink Wireless Service does not cost anything - there are no contracts, no recurring fees and no monthly charges.
See SafeLink Wireless for complete info and to begin the application process. You can see if you qualify here. También disponible en español.
Caution: SafeLink Wireless is completely free. There have been reports of companies not affiliated with Safelink who are offering to help consumers apply, but charge a fee. Apply for Safelink Wireless only through their official website - see the link above.
- Scholarships for Persons with Disabilities
• Governor's Coalition for Youth with Disabilities Scholarships - For high school students who graduating in June 2010 and planning to enter into post-secondary education or a training program in the fall of 2010, scholarship applications for the Governor's Coalition for Youth with Disabilities (GCYD) is now available. Complete information about the scholarships and the application can be found on the GCYD website. Last year $27,000 in scholarships were given out to students with disabilities.
Applications are due by February 15, 2010. Students should work with their high school's Guidance Dept or Special Education staff to complete the application. Students must be residents of CT and have a disabilities as defined by IDEA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Disability Scholarships - Many scholarships exist for people with disabilities, ranging from financial aid for students with learning disabilities to scholarships for disabled veterans to grants for students with vision loss, hearing loss, and mobility impairments, among others. Start your search at Disability Scholarships!
• AAHD Scholarship Program - In 2009, the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) created the AAHD Scholarship Program, which will support students with disabilities who are pursuing higher education. Preference will be given to students who plan to pursue undergraduate/graduate studies in the field of public health, health promotion, disability studies, to include disability policy and disability research.
- Self-Help Directory
Toll free hot lines and web addresses to assist you in finding help on several subjects.
- Shelters in Connecticut
See Connecticut Shelters.
- State, Local, and U.S. Legislators
A convenient link where you can find and write to your state, local, and U.S. Legislators and Congress Members.
- Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to helping as many low income people as possible to understand their civil (non-criminal) legal problems. We cooperate with other non-profit law firms and volunteer attorneys to provide a broad range of legal services to Connecticut's low income. Eligible clients can call us about any non-criminal legal issue, but we can be most helpful to people calling about housing (including evictions, public housing, repairs, and foreclosure), children and families (including divorce, child support, custody, guardianship, visitation, and restraining orders), benefits and work, consumer issues, elderly concerns, utilities and energy.
- STEP Program
The STEP Program (Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis) is an innovative and highly effective service in Connecticut where individuals who are in the early stages of a psychotic illness are offered a detailed evaluation and a package of enriched treatments. See the DMHAS "INFORMATION...Foundation for Good Policy" flyer for a more detailed overview.
For further information, visit STEP Study (opens in a new browser window) or contact Vinod Srihari, M.D. or Nicholas Breitborde, Ph.D. at Yale University.
- Tardive Dyskinesia Information and Resources
The following websites provide much information about Tardive Dyskinesia including what it is, typical causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and legal options.
Tardive Dyskinesia Center (www.tardivedyskinesia.com) - Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a result of damage to the bodily systems that process dopamine, and is typically caused by exposure to certain neurological medications - including Reglan. When a patient has been taking certain prescription drugs over a long period of time, often at high dosages, involuntary, repetitive tic-like movements can result, primarily in the facial muscles or (less commonly) the limbs, fingers and toes. The hips and torso may also be affected. The Tardive Dyskinesia Center offers the most up-to-date information on TD, its causes, and all known treatment options as well as legal options. Additionally, they distribute free wristbands to all visitors in hopes of raising TD awareness. Sign-up for your free wristband here.
Tardive-Dyskinesia (www.tardive-dyskinesia.com) - Tardive, meaning late, and dyskinesias being movement disorders, are neurological side effects of anti-psychotic medications that can be disabling and disfiguring. The Tardive-Dyskinesia website offers information on the symptoms, treatment, and side effects of Tardive Dyskinesia and information on the many anti-psychotic drugs utilized in the treatment of schizophrenia. Resources for contacting a lawyer and learning about legal rights regarding Tardive Dyskinesia are also available on the site.
- Teen Challenge New England (Residential drug recovery program)
Teen Challenge is a 15 to 21-month Christian residential drug recovery program with an incredible success rate for graduates. 86.6% of graduates after seven years remain drug and crime free, as opposed to 6-7% rate for secular programs. It is part of a network of 10 Teen Challenge centers across New England and New Jersey.
- Trauma-Informed Care
Links to trauma-informed care resources:
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC)
NCTIC's Trauma-Informed Facebook Group 
Witness Justice -- Help and healing for victims of violence
TrainingForums.org -- For trauma victim service providers
Also see:
Trauma-Informed Care on our Mental Health System Transformation page
Connecticut Trauma Info and Help above.
- True Acceptance
True Acceptance is a dating and friendship site for adults with mental illness. It was established by two social workers who have been personally affected by mental illness, have worked in the mental health field for many years, and/or have family histories. Launched in 2008, TrueAcceptance.com provides an online opportunity for adults experiencing any form of mental disability to meet other adults for dating and friendship without having to worry about being discriminated against.
Co-creators Liz and Mike care deeply for their members. They believe in recovery, change, and self-determination and are "committed to treating people in our community with dignity and respect."
Liz, originally from Detroit, Michigan, has been living in Albuquerque for about 7 years. She got her start in New Mexico participating in the Vista Americorps program working with spanish-speaking survivors of domestic violence. She went on to many other social work jobs including NM public defender, a psychiatric primary care clinic, and is now working mostly with Navajo students in rural New Mexico schools. She works from a strengths based and client centered philosophy and believes that true romance comes in all shapes and sizes. She loves approving True Acceptance profiles and seeing the positive connections being made in the TA community. She knows if she can get hold of Oprah, TrueAcceptance.com can change the world!
Mike was born in upstate New York and grew up outside of Houston. After serving in the military right after high school, he focused on a social work career. Mike quickly embraced the Recovery movement, and one of his highlights was being trained as a WRAP Facilitator in Vermont and taking what he had learned to start a peer support program. When he's not spending time at his day job or with his incredible wife and daughter, he can be found working on the True Acceptance site, reading, or dreaming about white water kayaking.
- Warm Lines / Suicide and Crisis Lines
As a valuable resource to AU Advocates and all Mindlink.org visitors, this page provides information for several Connecticut non-crisis Warm Lines as well as links to several Suicide and Crisis Help Lines.
- Work as a Priority: A Resource for Employing People Who Have Serious Mental Illnesses and Who Are Homeless
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Center for Mental Health Services, this new guidebook is designed to help service providers and others make informed decisions as they guide people who are experiencing homelessness and have mental illnesses into employment.
…return to Previous Page
