Mental Health
Catchment Area Councils (CACs)
Region 5 is served by 3 Catchment Area Councils (CACs).
The mission of these groups is to assess mental health needs at the town level and across region 5, to promote mental health and wellness through education and awareness, and to help connect those in need to resources.
Membership consists of stakeholders from various sectors including healthcare, behavioral health treatment, law enforcement, parents, town government, prevention, and other community members with a vested interest in mental health.
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CAC 20 meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at
15 Boyden St. Waterbury, CT
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Contact: Mary Ann Broomhead mabroom@gmail.com
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Towns served: Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Cheshire, MIddlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury
CAC 21
meets the
4th Thursday
of the month
at 3:00 p.m.
on Zoom
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Contact: Kate Travis
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Towns served: Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, and Sherman
CAC 22 meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. on Zoom
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Contact: Jennifer Hale
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Towns served: Barkhamsted, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Washington, and Wichester/Winsted
In the News
The Educator is published by our Drug Free Schools Committee and shared throughout the region. See our latest edition on Youth Mental Health.
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Download and share. We have translations as well:
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U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Youth Mental Health Crisis
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The Surgeon General’s advisory calls for a swift and coordinated response to this crisis. It provides recommendations that individuals, families, community organizations, technology companies, governments, and others can take to improve the mental health of children, adolescents and young adults.
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Read full comprehensive report here. It includes actions steps every member of the community can take.
May 2022
Global Conference
Mental Health in ESG: Increasing Employer Value and Impact
Moderated by Elizabeth Vargas, Journalist and Author
Supporting employees' mental health could help organizations retain talent, increase economic impact, and bolster performance while keeping the workforce healthier and more satisfied.
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Child Mind Institute- Media Guidelines for Kids of All Ages
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Common Sense Media- Parent's Guides to the Internet, Gaming, and Social Media
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American Academy of Pediatrics- Healthychildren.org. Parenting tips and other resources
From NAMI
Seize the Awkward
Guides and tips on how to have a conversation about mental health.
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Learn the signs of when help is needed
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Suggestions for starting the conversation
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Tips on how to make that conversation meaningful and productive
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How to continue the conversation, build trust, and refer them to professional help if needed
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Mental Health Promotion
Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. Staying physically healthy requires some effort- eating right, exercising, and brushing our teeth are examples of preventative measures. We can do the same for our mental health by learning to recognize difficult feelings like stress, anxiety and anger, how to cope in healthy ways and to know when to seek help.
Self-Help Tools from Mental Health America
-downloadable fact sheets and worksheets
More Self-Help Tools including
"31 Tips to Boost your Mental Health"
5 Things You Should Know About Stress
from the National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Health Wellness for Youth
The book Gizmo's Pawesome Guide to Mental Health was developed by the CT Suicide Advisory Board. Visit gizmo4mentalhealth.org to learn more.
Youth voices are essential to addressing the current mental health crisis, yet young people’s perspectives and ideas are often dismissed. Youth leadership programs can address this barrier and engage new advocates and empower current leaders.
In this YMHLC Annual Report, recommendations at each of the levels of power are identified. Authors draw on the collective wisdom of members to point out opportunities for growth and success in youth mental health leadership and organizing programs that can be used by other youth and adult allies to make inclusive and empowering environments.
Steps to Take If You are Concerned
About Your Mental Health
Mental Illness and Getting Help
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts or Repetitive Behaviors Take Over from The National Institute of Mental Health
Season Affective Disorder from National Institute of Mental Health
Let's Talk About Eating Disorders from National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Illness: Frequently Asked Questions from Mental Health America
Supporting a family member with serious mental illness from American Psychological Association
Dementia from Mental Health Foundation (UK)
Mental Health Resources
Behavioral health children's resource links for region 5 compiled by WrapCT.
Download below
Crisis Services
Behavioral Health Services in Region 5 (downloadable resource sheets)
Greater Danbury
Greater Waterbury
Greater Torrington
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