While the nation and our own communities struggle with the senseless loss of lives, it's easy to forget about the good in the world. This week and next, we will be highlighting some of the ways communities in our region have been making a difference this month. If your town hosted any events that you'd like us to highlight, please email them to us. Stay tuned next week for highlights from other towns and a look at some legislation successes. We thank everyone who works every day to improve the lives of our residents. 

The Teen Awareness Group (aka TAG) presented “Get Real Day” on May 11, 2022. The annual mental health and substance abuse awareness day at Staples High School aims to reduce the stigma of mental health and encourage healthy discussions and decisions. The goal of the fair is to reinforce our messages of personal and shared responsibility and to assist kids in managing the lures of unhealthy or risky behaviors – such as substance use and abuse, the pressures of social media and the overall challenges of making healthy choices.

The Hub focused on mental health promotion and education about substances. We featured many different mini activities, including Mental Health Jeopardy with questions on mental health wellness, facts on substances & substance use and more. We also had "Trash Your Insecurity" "Motivational Quotes" "Acts of Kindness" and "How do you self care?"

Norwalk held a press conference on May 12th where Mayor Rilling read a proclamation and declared it Mental Health Month in Norwalk. The conference also featured the following speakers: Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Dr. Thomas McBryde, Deputy Superintendent of Excellence, Equity and Inclusion, Denique Weidema-Lewis, Director of Equity and Collaboration Action at Norwalk ACTS and Norwalk resident and mental health advocate, Katie Gallo, who shared her personal mental health journey. Read more here. 

A week later, on Saturday, May 21, The Norwalk Partnership, Norwalk ACTS and Norwalk Community College hosted the first annual NorWALK for Mental Health Walk & Wellness Fair that drew about 200 participants of all ages to the Norwalk Green. The event featured live music from the band, Mental Health, art activities with Rene Soto Art Gallery and Ase Kreationz, free wellness screenings from clinicians and close to 30 providers who had activities and resources for attendees. You can read more about the event and look at more photos here.

Photos by Hector Pachas Photography and Courtney Henry Photography.

The Hub and a number of other local agencies and providers took part in the National Prevention Week event at the Discovery Museum and Science Center on May 14th. Prevention mascot, Stella Starfish was there and CT Senator, Tony Hwang stopped by.

Thank you to everyone who came out!

June 3rd from 10 AM - 12 PM

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Is there a person in your organization or in your community who you feel is making a difference in the prevention world? We'd love to hear from you! Please email us the person's name, title and a brief description about whey they are a prevention champion. If you have a photo to include, please send that too. We will feature these nominations in upcoming issues. 

The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT

A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP) 

Visit us online at thehubct.org

Newsletter designed and created in collaboration with Daydream Communications, LLC