Support Resources

Educational, Safety, Mental Health and Food Insecurity Resources

As required under Public Act 21-46, the CSDE has updated Educational, Safety, Mental Health and Food Insecurity Resources for Families and Students. This resource also includes Support & Services | Wrap CT (connectingtocarect.org) developed by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF).  

Please note:  Public Act 21-116 requires each local and regional board of education to distribute the Support & Services information at least semi-annually, in September and May, to the parents and guardians of each student in the school district and to any student taking a course in health and safety, and make the link available on its website.

 

Parent and Student Resources for crisis intervention, outpatient counseling, grief and loss support, and more.

Crisis Intervention

Emergency Mobile Psych Services (EMPS): Dial 211 (24/7 support)

Mobile Outreach (DMHAS): (860)886-9302 (24/7 support)

The Trevor Project Helpline (LGBTQ+ support): (866)488-7386 (24/7 support)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 or 1(800)273-8255 (24/7 support)

Suicide Prevention in Connecticut "Did you know?" Flyer 

Mental Health or Suicide Crisis National and CT Hotlines PDF (English y Español)

Department of Children and Families

Urgent Crisis Center New London website

 

 

Outpatient Counseling

Outpatient Counseling tends to have long waiting lists. Based on your insurance provider, placing your name on multiple lists will expedite the process of seeing a therapist. We encourage you to reach out to your primary care physician for more information and referrals.

 

Grief and Loss

The Cove Center for Grieving Children in Cheshire, CT: 
The mission at The Cove Center for Grieving Children is to provide hope and healing for grieving children/teens and their families, as well as training for the professionals who work with them. The Cove provides telehealth/virtual peer support groups for teens, school resources, camps, and other opportunities.

 

Additional Resources

Contact 211 for additional resources

Griswold PRIDE (Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone)

Griswold PRIDE's mission is to unite the citizens of Griswold in a partnership to create and foster a safe, drug-free environment for the entire community by preventing youth substance use and reducing adult substance abuse.

• Griswold PRIDE Facebook Page
• Resources:
  • Urgent Crisis Centers Flier
  • New London Urgent Crisis Center Contact Card
  • Help is 3 numbers away flier: 9-1-1, 9-8-8, 2-1-1
  • Parent Resource Library Link
  • Local Training Catalog for Schools & Youth Organizations
  • School Resource Center Link (curricula, webinar, and toolkits)

Additional Emotional Well-being Resources

• Mental Health Help Guide
  HelpGuide.org is an independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s leading mental health websites. Browse information on various categories, including ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Grief & Loss, Stress, and more.
   
• Parenting a Child with ADHD
  Kidshealth.org provides dependable information on children's health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.
   
• Supporting Your Child with Anxiety

  Youngminds.org is a support network for children and young people's mental health. Their goal is to create a resource so no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
   

• Children and Divorce Guide

---

 

Griswold Public Schools, Griswold PRIDE, and the GMS Parent Coalition presented a free program, "How to Raise Children Who Can Navigate their Stress and Anxiety with Grit and Resilience" with Cognitive Psychologist Dr. Alicia Farrell on March 15, 2023, at Griswold Middle School.

Watch the recording and learn more below:

Presentation description: Are you confused about how to raise emotionally healthy, confident, and self-sufficient children in this crazy, mixed-up world? Are your children stressed and anxious? This talk is designed to provide you with practical guidance and tools you can apply immediately to parent through these difficult times with confidence and conviction.

Specifically, you will learn:

• To recognize the difference between stress and anxiety in your children, why that distinction is important, how you can help, and when to get professional support
• Your role as a parent and how to build/maintain a quality relationship with your children
• How the Pandemic has affected your children’s development and how you can parent around these changes
• Additional cultural variables, like technology, that are breaking down your children’s social and emotional wellness and what you can do about it
• Many practical tools to improve communication, connection, and conflict resolution

The presentation is relevant for families with children of any age, as well as teachers, administrators, counselors, mental health professionals, and community leaders. 

The presenter, Dr. Alicia Farrell is an accomplished Cognitive Psychologist, former University Professor, Fellowship Award Recipient, Published Research Scientist, National Keynote Speaker and Founder of Clearview Consulting with over 35 years of expertise. In her private practice, Dr. Farrell has counseled hundreds of clients, ages 13 to 98, on how to get back to basics to achieve their life goals and personal well-being. Dr. Farrell is a gifted trainer and speaker who delivers dynamic keynotes/workshops on a wide range of topics related to personal well-being and parenting. To learn more visit her website at aliciafarrellphd.com.

• Mental Health Help Guide
  HelpGuide.org is an independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s leading mental health websites. Browse information on various categories, including ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Grief & Loss, Stress, and more.
   
• Parenting a Child with ADHD
  Kidshealth.org provides dependable information on children's health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.
   
• Supporting Your Child with Anxiety

  Youngminds.org is a support network for children and young people's mental health. Their goal is to create a resource so no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

• Attendance Matters!
  Attendance Works promotes equal opportunities to learn and advances student success by reducing chronic absence.
   
• GMS Cell Phone Policy

Social & Emotional Learning

More information to come!

 

CREW

Visit our CREW webpage to learn more about the GMS Advisory Program, CREW: Caring, Respectful Empowered Wolverines.