Darien Forms Mental Health Task Force

DARIEN, CT — In the wake of two suicides of Darien High School students in recent months, the town has formed a mental health task force to help address the needs of the community.

First Selectman Monica McNally spoke about the task force while giving her updates during Monday's regularly scheduled board of selectmen meeting.

Establishing the group is "the first step in addressing the crisis we are experiencing in Darien," McNally said.

Currently, the task force consists of multiple town leaders, including McNally; the Darien Human Services and Health directors; Darien Chief of Police Donald Anderson; Superintendent of Darien Public Schools Dr. Alan Addley; board of education members; clergy; and mental health professionals from local agencies.

"We've been advised by experts from the Child Guidance Centers and members of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on the best way to assist our communty at this time," McNally said. "Darien is considered to be in an acute postvention phase following the recent deaths. The experts informed us that our priorities during this phase should be to communicate frequently with the public and provide resources of support."

Mental health resources can be found on the town's webpage, and will be updated on a weekly basis.

The longer term goal will be to provide education, suicide prevention strategies and to access the overall mental health needs of town residents, McNally said.

During the May 24 board of education meeting, Dr. Jessica Welt, CEO and clinical director of Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, recommended that the district prioritize providing structure and normalcy to students in the postvention phase for the end of the school year and into the summer, while initiating and planning for a more comprehensive suicide prevention program long-term.

Welt also suggested the creation of a "school-based health center," which would provide students with therapy services during their school day.