Family Support & Resources

Research has shown that individuals who have supportive family members involved in their treatment have a better prognosis, become involved in social activities, and seek employment more easily than those who do not have family available. BHcare encourages and promotes involvement of significant others in all aspects of care. Bound by federal and state laws, this must be done only with the permission of the identified client, except in the case of emergency situations. Often clients are unwilling to grant permission for staff to communicate with significant others, which can be a great source of concern and frustration for those involved.

In these circumstances, while a staff member is unable to speak specifically about an individual’s condition, they may still assist family members by providing information about programming, medications, specific diagnoses, or other information that may help the family cope with the affected individual. By providing this information, staff may be able to direct a family on how to get assistance such as clinical help, benefits, housing or insurance.

Resources

Information, referral, and advocacy

Warmline: (203)732-2004 A supportive help line for mental health issues – Sunday-Thursday – 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Friday and Saturday – 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Alcoholics Anonymous Hotline: (888) 624-6063 Information and supportive help line for alcohol use issues

Narcotics Anonymous Hotline: (800) 627-3543 Information and referral for individuals with narcotic use

Al-ANON: (888) 825-2666 Strength and hope for friends and families of individuals with alcohol use disorder

Connecticut Quit Line: (800) QUIT-NOW Information, support & referral for individuals interested in quitting tobacco – 7 days/week: 8:00 am to 3:00 am

Poison Control: (800) 222-1222

Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services 24/7 Crisis Hotline number: (203) 736-9944 and (203) 789-8104. Toll-free 1-888-774-2900

NAMI: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms

Mental Health.gov: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members

Mental Health America: https://www.mhanational.org/recognizing-warning-signs

American Psychiatric Association: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/helping-a-loved-one-cope-with-a-mental-illness

Support Groups

BHcare Family Support Network meets the first Monday of the month on Zoom. The meeting is open to anyone with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

The NAMI-Shoreline is a self-help/mutual support group for family and friends of individuals diagnosed with mental illness. NamiShoreline.org