Special Event: “Mental Health Parity and Health Care Reform”
A Conversation with Connecticut’s State Health Care Advocate
Tuesday evening, January 8th, 7 PM
UUS:E Mental Health Ministry welcomes the state of Connecticut’s Health Care Advocate, Victoria Veltri. Vicki is a dynamic and energetic speaker who will talk about challenges and solutions for Connecticut when it comes to mental health services. This conversation has taken on all the more relevance in light of the December 14th shootings in Newtown, CT.
Mental illness is pervasive in the United States–far more than most people realize. In many faith communities, mental illness remains unspeakable. At UUS:E we are committed to ending the stigma surrounding mental illness. Most importantly, UUS:E’s mental health ministry seeks to make mental illness speakable. Having a culture and climate where we can talk about depression, or any other brain disorder, is of utmost importance. Somehow, we need to make a shift in our thinking to include brain disorders the same way we consider body disorders. Whether someone has cancer or depression, they don’t expect to be shunned because of either of them, but it happens. A lot of it has to do with how we name it, what language we use to describe it. We are dealing with people who are our friends or family members, people we love. We are looking at ways to show compassion for one another. We need to connect on a very human, heart-to-heart level.
UUS:E’s Mental Health Ministry provides support and recommends resources to people who have, or have had, a mental health diagnosis in their lives, as well as people who are caring for family members and friends who have, or have had, such a diagnosis.
The Mental Health Ministry Affinity Group meets as needs arise to discuss various aspects of mental health/mental illness/brain dis-ease and for fun social events. If you would like to get involved, have questions, or just want to talk, contact 860-646-5151 or uuse153@sbcglobal.net.
The Mental Health Ministry Caregivers Group meets as needs arise as a support group for people caring for family members and friends with mental illness and other mental health concerns. If you would like to get involved, have questions, or just want to talk, contact the office at 860-646-5151 or uuse153@sbcglobal.net.
Watch our Back to Adult Programs, Classes and Ongoing Groups pages for special events and classes.
Pastoral Care Ministries
Caring for each other in times of personal challenge or crisis is at the heart of our congregational culture and mission. In partnership with the minister, UUS:E’s Pastoral Care Committee helps us carry out this very important internal ministry. For more information, click here.
