By Moryt Milo When 988 goes live on July 16, a tsunami-size sea change will be felt in the mental health community. The new three-digit number for suicide prevention and mental health crisis services will shift the country away from calling 911 and triggering a police response. The new number, which replaces the National Suicide…
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By Moryt Milo When Eastern Connecticut State University Assistant Professor Dr. Isabel Logan teamed up with Willimantic Police Lt. Matthew Solak to create a police social work model, neither imagined the project would spread beyond the city’s 4.5- mile borders to become a national model. Timing and circumstances were on their side. In the aftermath…
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Ellen Cookman is an attorney whose practice specializes in Estate Planning and helping families set up Special Needs Trusts. Five years ago, Cookman’s profession touched her directly when her older son, now nine, was diagnosed with autism. “I went from being an advocate to a parent,” said Cookman, who gravitated toward the field of special…
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The Social Work Law Enforcement (SWLE) Project, a pilot program launched in August 2020, was created by Dr. Isabel Logan, an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Eastern Connecticut State University, and Lt. Matthew Solak of the Willimantic (Connecticut) Police Department. The Project has evolved into a statewide collaboration that may serve as a national…
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In a world bombarded by wars, pandemics and civil unrest, how do individuals dealing with traumatic experiences make it through? How do they overcome the pain? There is a way through because people are resilient, and it starts with the right strategies, one called Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), where a positive change can occur in people…
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When sorting out public benefits for your loved one with mental health challenges, there are plenty of barriers and landmines. It is essential to have a basic understanding of the “alphabet soup” of public benefits to maximize the available benefits. For instance, how do you define “disability” for public benefits purposes? What is the…
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Stanford University research group is conducting a teen health study that is investigating factors that predict healthy adolescent development and eating behaviors. The results of the study will be used to inform future eating disorder prevention programs. To participate in the study, you must be: The parent of a daughter 13 – 15…
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Positive psychology is the scientific study of what enables individuals, organizations, and societies to best develop and flourish. The focus of research is on psychological well-being, cultivation of best practices and resources, and applying the potential of people for a best possible life. Research suggests that between 30-70% of individuals who experienced trauma also report…
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“I think it will grow,” retired State Sen. Beall said optimistically. “My perception is throughout the mental health community we will have boots on the ground for mental health services, and an army of peer support that is trained.” For the first time in the state’s history, parents, peers, caregivers, and family members are being…
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How Do Different Types of Stressful Experiences Affect Brain Development and Mental Health in Teenagers Dr. Rajpreet Chahal is interested in understanding the roles of specific forms of stress (e.g., abuse and economic disadvantage) on brain development and mental health. In her research study, she describes how the brain develops when faced with different types…
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