Supporting Our Community

by Jacquilyn Davis, CDP® Director of Workplace Mental Health & DEI

Since 1908, our organization made a commitment to advocate for and support the residents of Connecticut. Our mission of partnering with individuals, families, and communities to create environments that support long-term health and wellness is core to everything we do at MHC. We are grounded in our values of Safety, Respect, Accountability, Support, and Trust. We are one of the longest standing mental health organizations in the nation and as a pillar in our community, we maintain our commitment to supporting the residents of our state.

At MHC, our values are inclusive of all individuals, all families, and all communities. We strive for safe environments where everyone can find comfort. We respect all individuals as equals regardless of their diverse backgrounds, experiences, or diagnoses. We hold ourselves accountable to maintain our values, especially in the face of difficult times. We support our employees, our participants, and our communities across the state by meeting them where they are and working to understand their unique needs. Through this work, we build trust within these partnerships to create and sustain environments that aid in the wellbeing of our community.

While 2025 has just begun, many have shared the enormity of events and reactions they are experiencing. The shared sense of being overwhelmed with information and coping with what feels like constant change is a sentiment being echoed far beyond our state. We are feeling it too.

Finding a healthy outlet to process is important. Giving yourself the space and grace to collect your thoughts and unpack the proverbial baggage is deserved. Taking breaks from social media, from difficult conversations, and from absorbing the news is encouraged. Feeling overwhelmed is your mind telling you to pause and breathe. No matter your next steps, first take a moment to check in with yourself – mind, body, and spirit – as your wellbeing is important.

Tips for self-care:

• Get creative! Visual arts like drawing or painting can be a healthy outlet for expressing your thoughts and emotions. Writing, whether it’s a poem for yourself or a letter to your legislator can also help. Culinary arts, martial arts, dancing, photography… the list goes on for all the creative outlets you can consider.
• Connect. Who says self-care has to be done alone? Not me. Call, text, or visit a trusted person in your life. Talk or just share space together. If you have a pet, spend some quality time snuggling, playing, or taking a walk together.
• Be of service. If you feel the urge to help, connect with advocates or organizations that align with your values. Volunteering, donating, advocating, and being a willing ally can provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
• Find your joy. Ask yourself what brings you joy. If you are struggling to come up with an answer, think back to happy memories. Is there a place you’d visit, an activity you’d look forward to, a person you admire? Find ways to unapologetically recreate that feeling.
• Make a Self-Care Plan: MHC is hosting a special community workshop on March 20 entitled, “Self-Care: You Deserve it. You Don’t Need to Earn it.” Learn more and register to attend at https://www.mhconn.org/event/self-care-workshop-you-deserve-it-you-dont-need-to-earn-it/.

If you feel additional support is needed, or you witness others in need, there are resources available to help.

CRISIS LINES AND HOTLINES

Additional resources are available on our Directory at https://www.mhconn.org/resources