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
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Dial 988 from any phone, any time.
Live Another Day – Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mental health and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available for BIPOC students.
Support for BIPOC Parents – An extensive resource list curated for BIPOC parents. This guide was put together by the experts at Louisville Addiction Center
Resources for Latinx Students – Extensive resources for Latinx students and their allies, but together by Tulip Hill Recovery
Resources for AAPI Students – 28 mental health and substance use resources for Asian American students, carefully curated by experts at Lexington Addiction Center
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
