How the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness Is Impacting Lives
Loneliness isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s a growing public health crisis. In Connecticut and across the nation, an increasing number of people are reporting feelings of isolation, disconnection, and social emptiness. However, here in the Nutmeg State, a strong coalition is working to change that. While loneliness is often associated with aging or living […]
Let’s Face It: Meet Corey “Pheez” Lee
Corey’s story was recently highlighted by NBC. Watch the powerful feature on Instagram. Corey Lee, better known as Pheez, is a hip-hop artist, Navy veteran, father, husband, homeowner, podcast host, and advocate for people with disabilities. But behind that list of accomplishments is a journey marked by hardship, overcoming, and personal transformation. Born in Hartford […]
Let’s Face It: Meet Julia DiCola
At 68 years old, Julia DiCola is living proof that it’s never too late to become who you truly are. A proud transgender woman, community advocate, and founder of OurTransLife, Julia began her transition at 57, an age when many people are looking toward retirement, not reinvention. But for Julia, embracing her authentic identity wasn’t […]
Let’s Face It: Meet Evelyn Alejandro
For Evelyn Alejandro, mental health isn’t just a topic, it’s a journey she’s lived. A business owner based in Connecticut, Evelyn has experienced firsthand the ripple effects of silence and stigma within families. Today, she shares her story not to dwell on the past, but to help others see that healing is possible, and that […]
Let’s Face It: Meet David Haberfeld
A landlord by trade, David has witnessed a wide range of human experiences, including housing instability, addiction, loneliness, and hoarding, some of which he has also encountered within his own family. His father lived for decades with an undiagnosed hoarding disorder. “It’s something you don’t really notice all at once,” David says. “Looking back, the […]
Let’s Face It: Meet Mimi Gonzalez
An award-winning social impact strategist, mental health advocate, LinkedIn influencer, and founder of griefsense, Mimi Gonzalez is reshaping how we talk about grief and mental health, especially in the workplace. To get here, Mimi has gone through a deeply personal journey through grief, identity, and the radical act of living with intention. “I’ve lost 36 […]
Reflecting Back: SOGIEcon 2025
By: Jacquilyn Davis, CDP® On March 21, 2025, I walked into the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts at UCONN and took a seat near the front of the stage, unsure of what to expect from my first SOGIEcon. As the screens lit up and the opening ceremonies began, I knew this was special. The […]
Let’s Face It: Mental Health Awareness Isn’t at the Finish Line
By: Bethany Simmonds I hear it all the time: “People can talk about their mental health now.” “Mental health awareness has been achieved.” “We all have mental health problems.” But what do we really mean by talking? By awareness? By problem? And more importantly, is the current level of awareness truly enough? Yes, mental […]
Supporting the Mental Health of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals
Mental health is essential for everyone, but for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHOH) individuals, the journey toward wellness is often met with additional barriers. While society has made strides toward greater inclusivity and awareness, mental health care still falls short in providing equitable and accessible services for DHOH communities. As Deaf History Month draws to a […]
Mental Health Musings: Let’s Face It
WARNING: Some of the contents of this blog entry may be upsetting, as the blog includes information about the troubling phenomena of stigma. Truthfully, I think that any discussion of stigma should be upsetting, but I hope in a way that motivates rather than simply generates pain or discouragement. I hope, brave reader, that you […]
