BHcare Kicks Off Mental Health Awareness Month With Conference, Proclamations & Community Wellness Fair

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — BHcare welcomed community members, partners and elected leaders to its Shoreline location for a kickoff event recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, followed by a free Community Wellness Fair connecting residents with local
resources and supports.

The program featured opening remarks from BHcare Chief Business Development Officer Emily Granelli and federal remarks from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. North Branford Mayor Rose Angeloni and Acting Town Manager Rory Burke delivered a municipal proclamation.

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During the event, a citation was presented by members of the shoreline delegation, including Sen. Paul Cicarella, Sen. Christine Cohen, Rep. Vincent Candelora, Rep. Robin Comey, Rep. John-Michael Parker, Rep. Moira Rader, Rep. David Yaccarino, and Rep. Joe Zullo, in recognition of BHcare’s continued commitment to advancing mental health services and support throughout the region.

The event also highlighted lived experience through a poem written and shared by Helen and concluded with a
performance of Lean on Me by the BHcare OPTIONS Choir.

"Dependable is BHcare Intensive Outpatient staff and vocational programs that carried me through my first winter. Cold, homeless, living in my car with no job and no money.
Dependable is the staff at BHcare who help keep you on track toward healing. Dependable is Options Social Club, offering hygiene supplies, food, kindness, and encouragement when you are a shell-shocked, depressed mess learning how to live again in the community. And dependable is me, still here, still alive, and able to help someone else walking into BHcare for the first time."

"Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reduce stigma and remind people that hope, health, and recovery are possible and that help is available close to home," said Emily Granelli, Chief Business Development Officer, BHcare. "We’re grateful to our elected leaders and community partners for standing with us and helping ensure individuals and families across the Shoreline can access the support they need."

Those gathered attended the Community Wellness Fair to connect with local organizations, explore resource tables, and learn more about services related to mental health, substance use, prevention, and overall well-being.

The kickoff also coincided with Prevention Week, highlighting the value of early intervention and community education. Through programs such as BHcare’s Alliance for Prevention and Wellness and federally funded school-based clinicians supported through the National Child Traumatic Stress
Initiative, BHcare helps connect children, families, and adults with support before challenges become crises.

"Mental Health Month is an opportunity to come together as a community to recognize the importance of mental health and ensure individuals and families know where to turn for support," said. "This event reflects our shared commitment to
building a healthier, more connected community."

The event took place at BHcare’s Shoreline location at 28 Branford Road in North Branford.

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme, “Hope. Health. Recovery.,” highlighted the importance of accessible care, recovery services, and continued investment in mental health resources for individuals and families across Connecticut.

BHcare also highlighted the expansion of its Parent Child Resource Center to the shoreline region and discussed ongoing efforts to improve access to mental health services, including support through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative grant program.

"Many people still struggle in silence when it comes to mental health," Cicarella said. "Making sure individuals and families know there are resources available and that they are not alone is incredibly important."

About BHcare

BHcare provides a comprehensive and integrated system of care with wrap-around services for adults, children and families struggling with mental health, substance use, domestic violence and other health-risk behaviors. Last year, BHcare provided services for more than 16,500 clients.