Recap of Dopamine Hacks for the Burnt Out Brain
If you’ve been feeling stuck, scattered, or just plain exhausted, you’re not alone, and you’re not lazy. On July 23, 2025, Mental Health Connecticut hosted a powerful Virtual Lunch & Learn session with certified ADHD Coach Robyn Greenspan, MS, who helped us unpack how burnout can deplete dopamine, our brain’s motivation and reward chemical. In […]
Minority Mental Health Month: Why Representation and Person-Centered Care Matter
July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to emphasize the unique mental health challenges faced by minority communities. Established in 2008 in honor of mental health advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, this national observance promotes a more person-centered approach to mental health care, one that acknowledges the intersection of culture, […]
The Rising Tide of Political Violence and How We Move Forward
This past weekend, a shocking act of violence in Minnesota added to the growing list of politically targeted crimes when Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were killed, and Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot. Luis B. Pérez, LCSW, President & CEO of Mental Health Connecticut, reached out to […]
Mental Health Musings: Mental Illness Terms
CBS’s 60 Minutes used to conclude each program with random observations from resident curmudgeon Andy Rooney, who often began his remarks with ”Did you ever wonder…?” I always enjoyed his recitations (yes, I am dating myself again), and, although I know I cannot match his wit or gravitas, I thought I would nevertheless steal the […]
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 […]
