September at United Services: Breaking the Stigma, Building Connection

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, giving all of us an opportunity to talk more openly about mental health, suicide, and the importance of reaching out for help.



For too long, stigma has made conversations about mental health difficult. People may worry about being judged, misunderstood, or treated differently if they admit they are struggling. When it comes to suicide, that silence can be especially dangerous.

Breaking stigma starts with something very human: talking, listening, and making it okay to ask for help.

Mental health is part of overall health. Struggling emotionally does not define a person, and asking for support should be treated with the same respect as seeking help for a physical health concern. We can all contribute by choosing our words carefully, checking in with the people around us, listening without immediately trying to fix the problem, and taking someone seriously when they tell us they are struggling.

Sometimes the most important thing we can say is simply, “How are you really doing?”

When Someone Needs Help

If you are concerned that someone may be thinking about suicide, it is okay to ask them directly. Talking about suicide does not create suicidal thoughts, and an honest conversation can open the door to support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. United Services also provides crisis services throughout northeastern Connecticut.

If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911.

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Taking the Conversation into Our Community

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, United Services staff Kerri Durdan and Jennifer Johnson joined WINY for a conversation about overdose, substance use, prevention, and the importance of reducing the stigma that can prevent people and families from seeking help.

The discussion highlighted an important message: substance use and overdose affect individuals, families, and entire communities, and recovery is possible. Open conversations can help people better understand substance use, recognize when someone may need support, and become more comfortable reaching out for help. It also provides an opportunity to remember those whose lives have been lost to overdose while acknowledging the families and loved ones who continue to carry that loss.

Thank you to Kerri and Jennifer for representing United Services and to WINY for providing space for conversations that can sometimes be difficult to have. The more openly we talk about mental health, substance use, overdose, and recovery, the more we can replace stigma with understanding—and help people know that support is available and they do not have to face these challenges alone.

Community in Action 💙

There are many ways to build a healthier community, and this month we would like to recognize several people who are putting that idea into action.

Under the leadership of Ashley Guillet, case manager for USI's young adults, our YAS Community Counts group recently collected supplies and assembled 20 first-aid kits for Project Hope. A special thank-you goes to Stop & Shop and Big Y for donating gift cards that helped purchase supplies, as well as USI staff members Katherine Gavin, Kelly Kardys, Danielle Lonergan, Kristine Seifert, and Kaitlyn Bowyer for their generous contributions.

We also recognize community member Jessica Delany and her Shimmy Mob team for bringing their energy and community spirit to September's Willimantic Third Thursday.

Different people. Different projects. One important thing in common: showing up for our community and for one another.

What Can Each of Us Do?

We need you--our community! You don't have to be a mental health professional to help reduce stigma. Check in with someone you haven't heard from in a while. Listen without judgment when someone tells you they're having a difficult time. Pay attention to what helps that individual feel supported—whether that's a serious conversation, quiet companionship, practical help, or even shared humor to break the ice and shift a veteran's mindset into deeper conversation. What feels comforting to one person may not feel the same to another, so listen, ask, and meet people where they are.

Learn about the resources available in your community. And don't be afraid to ask someone if they need help.

Small moments of connection matter.

We may never know which conversation, phone call, invitation for coffee, or simple act of kindness arrives at exactly the right moment for someone.

Let's make it easier to talk about mental health—not harder.