Let's Get Real, Let's Talk Recovery

 While CMHA champions #Recovery all year long, we make a special effort during September: National Recovery Month.

Early in the day on August 31, CMHA was invited by Senator Richard Blumenthal to join the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance's 'call to action' overdose awareness event in Hartford.

Mary Gilhuly, Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President attended, as did Molly Satalino, Assistant Clinical Director who spoke at the event to highlight the importance of behavioral health services and community support in fighting back against the ongoing opioid epidemic. Thank you for speaking and representing the agency at this important event!

CMHA also participated in the Overdose Awareness Vigil in Walnut Hill Park, New Britain. The event, initiated and championed by Czes Dzierlatka, Lead Peer Recovery Coach reminded our community that you are not alone and Recovery is not only possible, it’s real.

Thank you to the event organizers, New Britain Parks and Recreation Department, NBRecovers, and all partner agencies for making the evening so impactful. We'd like to give a special thank you to Czes Dzierlatka, Lead Peer Recovery Coach for speaking at the event and leading his colleagues and community members in the memorial lantern release at the event's conclusion.

Also in September, Assistant Program Officer Chris Porcher facilitated a virtual panel discussion on "Faith Based Organizations' Impact on Recovery."

Porcher was joined by Michele Stewart-Copes of SEET Consultants, Pastor Sam Blanks from Spottswood AME Zion Church, Dr. Michael D. Bailey of The First Cathedral, and Tim Feeney, Certified Recovery Coach. Their discussion focused on the role faith-based organizations have in reducing the stigma surrounding behavioral health and addiction within our diverse communities.