Want a Healthier Family? Try Saying “No” More Often.

We can’t do it all and we’re harming our mental health trying.

Life can be busy and overwhelming for almost everyone in the family these days. Many parents and caretakers, whether single or in a partnership, find themselves juggling full-time work (or more!) outside the home, in addition to managing relationships, and taking care of their families. It’s no wonder 1 in 4 Americans claim they are so stressed they can’t function.

Kids and teens aren’t immune to the stress of schedule overload. In addition to the demands of schoolwork, children and adolescents are busier than ever, with after-school activities, sports, volunteering and finding critical time to socialize with friends. Some kids may actually be driving the busy schedule for fear of being left out by their peers, while many teens feel pressured to stack their schedules with the hope of impressing potential colleges. On top of that, many parents have the desire to keep kids productive and provide them with enriching experiences. While all parties may have good intentions, it leaves everyone’s calendar bursting at the seams.

Surveys Show Our Kids are Stressed

Finding the right balance between outside obligations and a healthy family life is more important than ever. While there may be some benefits to keeping kids busy, the constantly hectic schedules can have serious mental health consequences for both parents and kids. Surveys in some towns in Southwest CT show that 27.1% of youth in grades 7-12 reported feeling anxiety in the past year “almost always,” and 27.4% feel their anxiety makes their lives difficult “nearly all the time”. When asked what the source of this stress or worry is, most adolescents in grades 7-12 reported that it stems from academics and post-high school plans. For middle schoolers, stress from peers is also a big concern, while the overloaded schedules cause additional worry for high school students. Youth across all grades frequently admit to feeling “a lot of stress” from measures of academic performance and from parental expectations.

Read our latest blog for tips to help you find balance in your life.

Important News

Below are examples of illegal cannabis products purchased by the Office of the Attorney General as part of an investigation.

Attorney General Tong Announces Crackdown on Illegal Sale of Delta8 THC

(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today sued five Connecticut retailers for alleged violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act over the sale of illegal delta-8 THC products mimicking popular youth-oriented snacks and candies. Attorney General Tong is additionally in the process of sending warning letters to all Connecticut licensed retailers of electronic vaping products.

Events from The Hub

Check out all of The Hub's upcoming events HERE

Other Community Events

Disclaimer: The Hub shares information and resources on a variety of behavioral health topics. We do not endorse specific events, policies or agencies.

Looking for a Training or Presentation from The Hub?

You can now request one on our website! Visit thehubct.org/training.

Opportunities & Resources

Alternatives to Suicide:

Free Support Group

Please note new contact information.

Alternatives to Suicide is a free peer-led support group where people can talk openly about suicide thoughts, attempts, or experiences like self-harm. It's a safe, non-clinical space where people ages 18+ come together to talk about their experiences and emotional distress without judgement or fear of unwanted interventions.

Every Tuesday from 7-8:30pm

At Positive Directions

90 Post Road West, Westport, CT

Feel free to just show up to a meeting.

For more information call 203-227-7644 or email Ally Kernan at Alt2Su@positivedirections.org

20-Minute Survey: Substance Use Disorder and/or Mental Health

This survey will assist in learning more about challenges and strategies that might work in New England regarding recruitment and retention. Survey data from New England organizations who provide substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment services will be collected. We hope you, or the most appropriate person on your staff, will take the time to complete this survey. The survey will only take about 20 minutes. Information learned will be used to provide both training and technical assistance in the future. Please complete and submit by: February 15, 2023.

Take Survey Now

5-Minute Survey: Share Your Thoughts

This survey is for adults ages 18 and older who live in Connecticut. Please take 5 minutes to share your thoughts and experiences with gambling, gaming, substance use, and mental health. Take survey now.

Training Events, Videos, and Reference Materials for Applicants and Grantees

This page contains training announcements and resources for SAMHSA applicants and grantees on accessing and utilizing the eRA online interface to share administrative grant management information with SAMHSA federal staff.

Public Safety-led Community-oriented Overdose Prevention Efforts (PS-COPE) - National Council for Mental Wellbeing

The Public Safety-led Community-oriented Overdose Prevention Efforts (PS-COPE) Toolkit is a new approach to overdose prevention and response for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. It combines three proven models to enhance overdose prevention and response: trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented systems of care and procedural justice.

Interested in learning more? Join us on Mar. 8, 2-3 p.m. ET, for a webinar session where we dive deeper into the new framework and resources.

Download Toolkit Here

Advocacy Corner

The Bills We Are Watching

The Hub is part of CT Prevention Network and actively tracks the status of bills related to mental health and substance use disorders. Here is the current list of bills we are watching. They are updated on a regular basis since things change often.

Photo: Jessica Hill/Associated Press

Visit thehubct.org/advocacy for more information.

Lawmakers Look at New Ways To Tackle Opioid Epidemic | CT News Junkie

The opioid epidemic shows no signs of stopping, as new substances continue to be introduced to enhance drug effects, and state legislators are trying to find ways to combat the problem. One idea that is being kicked around is establishing overdose prevention centers, an initiative that is already showing success at curbing overdose deaths in New York City.

Children in CT 16 and younger would need parental consent for social media under proposal

Connecticut lawmakers are trying again this year to pass legislation requiring social media companies to get parental consent before allowing anyone 16 or younger to use their platforms. The bill, HB 5025, is an effort to support children's mental health, sponsors said, and follows promises from lawmakers that they would focus on youth mental health this session.

CDC says teen girls are caught in an extreme wave of sadness and violence

Indeed, a dramatic rise in violent behavior, targeting girls in particular, was a stark finding in the CDC report. One such assault received national attention this month when Adriana Kuch, 14, was attacked as she walked down a high school hallway in New Jersey.