Find information on available behavioral health and family support services in Connecticut and learn about related initiatives contributing to children’s mental and emotional well-being.

Family Resources

Families looking for a mental health provider can start by talking with their pediatrician or calling 2-1-1 or visiting https://uwc.211ct.org/categorysearch/mental-health.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides rapid 24/7 access to trained staff who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use and other mental health crises, provide referrals to resources, and perform warm transfers to youth and adult mobile crisis services or emergency services.

United Way 211

2-1-1 is your one-stop connection to the Connecticut local services you need, from finding a mental health provider to getting help with utility assistance, food, housing, child care, and much more.

Mobile Crisis (formerly EMPS)

Free help for youth and children in crisis. A mental health professional can respond immediately by phone or face to face within 45 minutes when a child is experiencing an emotional or behavioral crisis.

Prevent Suicide CT

Suicide prevention resources, news, free print materials, promotional items, and ways to get involved in Connecticut.

CONNECT4Families Toolkit

The Connect4Families Toolkit helps families, providers, and schools collaborate and connect children to behavioral health services and supports in Connecticut.

Connect to Local Supports and Services

Find services and connect to a community collaborative near you.

Kids Mental Health Info

Information and resources for parents and caregivers to understand their child’s mental health issues and find selected evidence-based mental health treatments for children in Connecticut.

Turning Point CT

Information to guide your search for mental wellness developed by young people in Connecticut who are in recovery from mental health and substance use issues.

We Are CT
We Are CT

WeAreCT is a joint initiative between the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the CT Department of Children and Families to more easily connect residents to resources for prevention, mental health and substance use recovery.

CT Evidence-Based Practices Directory

This searchable directory lists providers of some evidence-based treatments available in Connecticut for children and families with behavioral health needs.

CT Connecting to Care

The Connecting to Care website is designed to help families understand care options, find local community collaboratives, and connect to care coordination and appropriate services.

FAVOR
FAVOR Connecticut

Information, assistance, and training for families with children who have medical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges.

CT Family Support Network

CTFSN helps families of individuals with disabilities and special health care needs find information, resources, and supports to improve their lives.

Assisted Intervention Matching Tool (AIM)

This tool will guide you through a series of questions to help you find the best-matched in-home service(s) for a family’s needs.

Get Crisis Help 24/7

When in Connecticut, CALL 988 or 211

From anywhere, CALL the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

From anywhere, TEXT the Crisis Text Line: 741741

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers across the country. Connecticut’s 988 Contact Center services include rapid 24/7 access to trained crisis contact center staff who can help adults and children experiencing suicidal, substance use and other mental health crises, provide referrals to resources, and perform warm transfers to mobile crisis services or emergency services as needed/desired. For more information about 988 visit: www.preventsuicidect.org/get-help/ct-988/.

Related Statewide Initiatives

The following examples of state-run initiatives are part of our collective effort to support the well-being of children, youth, and their families.

DCF Connecticut
Connecticut Family First

Connecticut’s Family First plan offers opportunities for the State to strengthen and expand prevention services, family supports, and evidence-based trauma treatments for children.

AccesS, Screening and Engagement, Recovery Support, and Treatment (ASSERT)

ASSERT focuses on improving treatment for adolescents and young adults (ages 12-21) with substance use disorders with or without co-occurring mental health disorders.

Connecticut Early Psychosis Learning Health Network

The Connecticut Early Psychosis Learning Health Network is a statewide initiative dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals and families impacted by recent onset psychosis.

CT Stay Strong

A state and municipal initiative to connect young adults who have or are at risk for significant behavioral health disorders to high-quality care through the use of Wraparound Services.

Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education)

Project AWARE utilizes a comprehensive, trauma-informed, multi-tiered system of supports to address mental and behavioral health in schools.

School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI)

SBDI is a school-based initiative that reduces arrests, suspensions and expulsions and connects students to behavioral health services and supports.

WrapCT

WrapCT is Connecticut’s “wraparound initiative” which uses a holistic approach to delivering care coordination and services to families with children experiencing mental health or behavioral health needs.

Urban Trauma Network Initiative

A partnership between CT DCF and Urban Trauma LLC to educate providers on the effects of racial trauma on children of color and how to support them in healing.

Publications & Materials