Mental Health Connecticut

02/11/2026

There’s no “wrong” way to feel.

Explore our Winter Wellness Toolkit, filled with gentle resources and practical tools to support you, wherever you are emotionally this season.

https://www.mhconn.org/winter-wellness-with-mhc/

02/11/2026

In 2026 alone, at least eight people have died while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody: Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Víctor Manuel Díaz, Parady La, Renee Nicole Good, Luis Beltrán Yáñez–Cruz, Heber Sánchez Domínguez, and Alex Pretti.

We honor the lives of those lost and extend our deepest condolences and compassion to all those affected. We recognize that grief, shock, and concern often remain long term.

Regarding the impact on her community, Shannah Mulvihill, MA, CFRE, Executive Director & CEO of Mental Health Minnesota, shared: “In Minnesota right now, I see people fighting against hatred with love and support for our neighbors. I see them fighting against fear and intimidation with bravery and hope.”

Support is available and it can make a life-saving difference. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out:

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

Disaster Distress Hotline: Call 1-800-985-5990 for immediate counseling related to tragedy.

MHA Crisis Resource Center: Tools for navigating distress related to violence and discrimination.

Mental Health Minnesota Warmline: MN residents can call 855-WARMLINE or text “support” to 85511.

Read our full statement: https://www.mhconn.org/2026/01/29/honoring-lives-lost-and-supporting-community-healing/

#988

02/10/2026

Mental Health Connecticut is excited to share the 2026 International Recovery and Citizenship Collective (IRCC) Seminar Series hosted by Yale, CT DHMAS, and the IRCC. This free hybrid seminar series brings together healthcare providers, individuals with lived experience, advocates, researchers, and global stakeholders to explore how recovery, citizenship, and community engagement intersect to create a sense of belonging and social inclusion.⁠
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Through participatory processes, co-design, and collective action, participants will reflect on how holistic experiences shape well-being across personal, family, workplace, social, and community contexts. The seminars will highlight practices that promote sustainable change, informed by both local and international perspectives.⁠
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Series schedule:⁠
February 19, 2026 | 11 AM to 12 PM EST⁠
March 19, 2026 | 11 AM to 12 PM EST⁠
April 16, 2026 | 11 AM to 12 PM EST⁠
May 21, 2026 | 11 AM to 12 PM EST⁠
June 25, 2026 | 11 AM to 12 PM EST⁠
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Register here: https://yalesurvey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8nXO4h15Iu2vMAS

02/10/2026

The days are getting longer, and with the light comes a reminder: Hope isn't just a fleeting emotion, it’s a skill we can build.

According to research, hope is a stronger predictor of mental wellbeing than the absence of a mental health condition (Venning et al., International Journal of Mental Health Promotion). It acts as a cognitive tool that helps us navigate obstacles and see a path forward.

We invite you to find that path with us. You don't have to wait for the warmth to return; you can create it.

If hope feels out of reach right now, you don’t have to carry the weight alone. Support is available 24/7, ust call or text 988.

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233670844_Is_Hope_or_Mental_Illness_a_Stronger_Predictor_of_Mental_Health

#988

02/09/2026

Create something special this Valentine's season! ❤️⁠
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Join us for a FREE Candle Making Workshop hosted by the Hispanic Health Council and Mental Health Connecticut at the Art of Wellbeing studio. ⁠
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🗓 Feb 11, 2026 | 11 AM - 2 PM ⁠
📍 Family Wellness Center, 590 Park St, Hartford, CT ⁠
👉 To register, email: gcruz@mhconn.org⁠
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¡Crea algo especial esta temporada de San Valentín! ❤️⁠
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Únete a nosotros para un Taller de Creación de Velas gratuito, organizado por el Hispanic Health Council y Mental Health Connecticut en el estudio Art of Wellbeing. Ven a disfrutar de un momento relajante de bienestar con tu comunidad mientras aprendes y creas. ¡Todos los materiales están incluidos!⁠
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🗓 11 de feb. de 2026 | 11 AM - 2 PM ⁠
📍 590 Park St, Hartford, CT ⁠
👉 Para registrarse, envía un correo a: gcruz@mhconn.org

02/07/2026

Staying active in winter doesn’t mean pushing yourself to extremes. It means tuning in to what your body needs and finding joy in movement. ❄️

Some winter-friendly ways to get moving:
🧘 Gentle yoga or stretching at home
🚶‍♂️ Brisk walks bundled up in fresh air
💃 Dancing in your living room
⛸️ Ice skating, snowshoeing, or even shoveling (safely!)

Remember: it’s not about perfection; it’s about care. Move your body in ways that feel good, and honor where you’re at.

Check out our Winter Wellness Toolkit for more tips and resources!
https://www.mhconn.org/winter-wellness-with-mhc/

02/06/2026

Positive psychology is defined as the science of human flourishing. It is the evidence-based search for contentment that exists within everyone’s reach. While positive thinking is the act of reframing daily encounters, positive psychology goes deeper by focusing on three core pillars: connecting with others, savoring pleasure, and finding gratitude.⁠

Feelings of gratitude, a pillar of positive psychology, are one area where the power of positive thinking and positive psychology intersect.
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Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health demonstrates that mindset has tangible physical benefits. High levels of optimism are linked to a significantly reduced risk of mortality from heart disease, stroke, cancer, and infection. By practicing simple habits, such as writing down three things you are grateful for each night or making a list of kind things you've done for others, you can actively rewire your perspective and improve your long-term health outcomes.⁠
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Swipe through for mantras rooted in these pillars of positive psychology. These phrases are designed to help you savor the present and cultivate resilience during the winter months.⁠
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To explore the science of satisfaction and contentment, read the full Harvard Health article: https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/positive-psychology

02/06/2026

Our Winter Wellness Toolkit and Raffle continue to provide the community with ways to find joy in the colder months.

Last week's winner, Rachel Hamilton won four tickets to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Today, the SSO is the largest Massachusetts symphony outside of Boston. It consists of over 80 musicians from the NE region of the United States and Canada, and holds many performances in a given season as either the full orchestra or in ensemble formats.
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View the Winter Wellness Toolkit and scan the QR code on page two for your own chance to win another one of our prizes.

https://www.mhconn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Winter-Wellness-Toolkit-2025-2026-2nd-Edition.pdf

02/06/2026

❄️ From car repairs and high utility bills to medical needs, surprise winter costs can stretch tight budgets. Nutmeg has partnered with Mental Health Connecticut to share winter wellness resources, helping Connecticut residents find emergency financial assistance and plan ahead for unexpected expenses, all season long. Explore on our website today! https://bit.ly/nutmeg-financial-wellbeing

02/05/2026

Create something special this Valentine's season! ❤️

Join us for a FREE Candle Making Workshop hosted by the Hispanic Health Council and Mental Health Connecticut at the Art of Wellbeing studio.

🗓 Feb 11, 2026 | 11 AM - 2 PM
📍 Family Wellness Center, 590 Park St, Hartford, CT
👉 To register, email: gcruz@mhconn.org

¡Crea algo especial esta temporada de San Valentín! ❤️

Únete a nosotros para un Taller de Creación de Velas gratuito, organizado por el Hispanic Health Council y Mental Health Connecticut en el estudio Art of Wellbeing. Ven a disfrutar de un momento relajante de bienestar con tu comunidad mientras aprendes y creas. ¡Todos los materiales están incluidos!

🗓 11 de feb. de 2026 | 11 AM - 2 PM
📍 590 Park St, Hartford, CT
👉 Para registrarse, envía un correo a: gcruz@mhconn.org

02/05/2026

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than a seasonal dip in mood; it is a clinical subtype of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that SAD is diagnosed four times more often in women than in men. This disparity highlights the importance of targeted awareness and accessible clinical intervention during the winter months.⁠
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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms include:
-Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks
-Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
-Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
-Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
-Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
-Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down
-Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
-Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes
-Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment
-Thoughts of death or su***de or su***de attempts
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If the change in season is significantly impacting you, we encourage you to consult with a mental health professional.

Access our toolkit to learn more about SAD and enter the raffle:https://www.mhconn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Winter-Wellness-Toolkit-2025-2026-2nd-Edition.pdf

02/05/2026