Connecticut Resources
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) prevention system is designed to promote the overall health and wellness of individuals and communities by preventing or delaying substance use. Prevention services are comprised of six key strategies including information dissemination, education, alternative activities, strengthening communities, promoting positive values, and problem identification & referral to services. DMHAS funds statewide, regional and local prevention programs.
The Center for Prevention Evaluations and Statistics collects, interprets and disseminates data pertaining to substance abuse prevention, mental health, and health disparities. The CPES convenes, supports and chairs the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) and provides the online portal to Connecticut's epidemiological data in support of a comprehensive public health approach to substance abuse prevention and health promotion.
The Connecticut Clearinghouse, a program of the Wheeler Clinic's Connecticut Center for Prevention, Wellness and Recovery, is a statewide library and resource center for information on substance use and mental health disorders, prevention and health topics. The CT Clearinghouse also coordinates and distributes the Change the Script awareness campaign and coordinates drugfreect.org.
The Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB) is the single state-level advisory board in Connecticut that addresses suicide prevention, intervention and response across the lifespan. It is tri-chaired by the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Children and Families, and CT Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The One Voice, One Word, One Life awareness campaign can be found at this website.
The Governor’s Prevention Program (GPP) equips, empowers, and connects organizations, communities, and families to prevent substance misuse, underage drinking, and violence among youth and promotes positive outcomes for all young people in Connecticut. The GPP promotes safe school environments and healthy communities, increases positive connections between youth and adults through mentoring, and builds partnerships between business, organizations and communities.
Drug Free CT provides prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery information and awareness materials including Change the Script campaign, the Memorial Quilt, the Recovery Friendly Workplaces toolkit, and naloxone (Narcan) distribution.
The Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals (CAPP) is a statewide membership organization of prevention advocates that identifies and spreads awareness of behavioral health trends while ensuring growth of the field and providing resources across the state.
The five Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations (RBHAOs) provide assessment, planning, education, and advocacy of behavioral health needs and services for children and adults. RBHAOs administer the Local Prevention Council grant program, provide naloxone (Narcan) training and distribution, and build capacity of local communities to address problem gambling. Click here for more information on the RBHAO in your region.