"What's the healthy way to talk about mental health?"

"What's the healthy way to talk about mental health?"

Pictured: (Left to Right) Cathy Zeiner, Luis Perez, Patricia Rehmer, Renee DiNino, Kathy Flaherty, and Paul Gionfriddo

"What's the healthy way to talk about mental health?" 

On Tuesday April 10th, we facilitated a podcast "What's the healthy way to talk about mental health?" which included mental health professionals from all over CT. There is a current stigma and discrimination of how mental illness is talked about and perceived and their main goal was to have a platform to discuss the appropriate way to speak about mental health. They discussed the appropriate terms and remarks that should be used in order for people to feel comfortable enough to talk to professionals about their condition. Listen below so you can join in on the conversation and help us reach a mutual understanding of Mental Health. 

Our guest speakers included: 

Patricia Rehmer, former Commissioner of DMHAS and SVP of Behavioral Health at Hartford HealthCare

Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of Mental Health America and former CT legislator

Luis Perez, President and CEO of Mental Health Connecticut

Kathy Flaherty, Executive Director of CT Legal Rights Project and a person in recovery

Cathy Zeiner, COO, YWCA Hartford region and board member of CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Patricia Rehmer, former Commissioner of DMHAS and SVP of Behavioral Health at Hartford HealthCare

Hartford HealthCare is creating a better future for healthcare in Connecticut and beyond. We are a community of caregivers engaged in developing a coordinated, consistently high standard of care, using research and education as part of care delivery. We create and engage in meaningful alliances to enhance access to services and invest in technology and training to develop new pathways to improve the timeliness, effectiveness and accuracy of our services.

CLICK HERE to visit their website

Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of Mental Health America and former CT legislator

Mental Health America (MHA) - founded in 1909 - is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.

CLICK HERE to visit their website

Luis Perez, President and CEO of Mental Health Connecticut

MHC strives to expand the breadth of and access to community-based services at the federal and state levels enabling people with mental health conditions to engage with the types of services they need when they need them. MHC also advocates on behalf of people with mental health conditions to ensure they are provided the same rights as people without mental health conditions and that they are not discriminated against as a result of their mental health diagnosis.

CLICK HERE to visit their website

Kathy Flaherty, Executive Director of CT Legal Rights Project and a person in recovery

Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc., (CLRP) is a statewide non-profit agency which provides legal services to low income individuals with mental health conditions, who reside in hospitals or the community, on matters related to their treatment, recovery, and civil rights. CLRP represents clients in accordance with their expressed preferences in administrative, judicial, and legislative venues to enforce their legal rights and assure that personal choices are respected and individual self-determination is protected. CLRP develops and supports initiatives to promote full community integration which maximizes opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency.

CLICK HERE to visit their website

Cathy Zeiner, COO, YWCA Hartford region and board member of CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence

YWCA Hartford Region is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.We promote change at a systemic level and through improved lives for individuals and families in our community. Increasingly, the paramount theme is for every woman to achieve economic security.

CLICK HERE to visit their website