We are thrilled to announce that TurningPointCT.org is now housed at Positive Directions! TurningPointCT.org is Connecticut's online mental wellness resource by and for young people. It's an amazing resource, created entirely by teens and young adults to provide information and support to guide their peers in the search for mental wellness. TurningPointCT.org offers: a place to realize that no matter what you may be dealing with, you're not alone a safe space for young people to share their struggles and journeys a Q&A guide to learn about pathways to wellness and how to navigate the behavioral health system a media room for young people to watch or share videos, art, or other creative expressions a resource map where people around the state have uploaded their recommendations for activities, supports and services near them a regular podcast multiple social media channels, including TikTok and Discord speakers and resource tables for campus events occasional online drop-in social events for young people, such as the 4 events over the December holidays ...and check out The TurningPointCT Collection -- the brand-new newsletter created by the current intern team! Meet Ella! Ella Moore is TurningPointCT's Peer Leader, who just received her Recovery Support Specialist certificate. (Congratulations, Ella!) She brings her personal lived experience with mental illness to the job as an advocate and peer supporter, along with her graphic design and communications skills. Ella works with a group of interns to develop new content, manage the website and social media, create podcasts, and participate in campus events. Other project staff include Eliza McNamara, the former project leader, who facilitates a weekly SMART Recovery teen support group online, and a new social media assistant. The young people involved with TurningPointCT use their personal experiences with mental illness and/or substance misuse to share ideas, resources, and positivity with their peers. All teens & young adults are welcome to visit the site and upload their stories, art, videos, and more!

Positive Directions was recently honored to host US Senator Chris Murphy, State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg (Westport), and Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe at our office, along with community partners Fairfield Public Schools, Kids in Crisis, Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance, NAMI, and Westport Human Services, for a roundtable on behavioral health needs during COVID and beyond. Mental health and substance use issues have increased during COVID, and we were grateful for the opportunity to discuss needs that may be able to be addressed through the federal COVID relief bill under development. See our recommendations & factsheet below.

We are so proud to partner with TurningPointCT in offering limited peer support hours with our specialist Ally Kernan. For more information: https://turningpointct.org/media/connect/?fbclid=IwAR3eLvoQ33MBVi8-Sh69MlQegYo2t9Ai-_qDmNuX31yv4R4P6chGDfnVg8A

With the Fourth of July coming up, people will be celebrating--and for the first time in CT, adults will be legally allowed to use not only alcohol but also marijuana. It’s an important time for adults to model responsible drinking and to be aware of the laws and risks of underage drinking and drug use. Although CT just legalized possession of marijuana for adults over age 21, it is illegal for minors to have or use marijuana, because it is very dangerous for the developing teen brain. Today’s marijuana is far more powerful than the natural plant, especially when vaped. Teens who use the new marijuana are at risk of IQ loss, addiction, and psychosis. It is illegal for adults to sell or provide marijuana to minors under age 21. Adults will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Marijuana can only be used in certain places. Marijuana, hemp, and vapes cannot be consumed anywhere that smoking was already illegal, including restaurants, healthcare institutions, and state or municipal buildings. Marijuana and cigarettes cannot be consumed in any area (inside or out) of a school, retail establishment, higher ed dorm, or building that is owned, operated or leased by the state or municipality. Marijuana cannot be used in state parks or waterways. Driving while impaired by alcohol or marijuana can be deadly. Impaired driving happens when someone operates a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, illicit drugs, some prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, or alcohol. Some teens think they drive better while under the influence of marijuana. That is false! Marijuana affects reflexes, concentration, judgment, reasoning--all of which are critical skills for safe driving. Adults are held liable if minors under the age of 21 consume alcohol on property they control. Connecticut’s Social Host law makes the property owner or tenant fully responsible for any underage drinking on property they control--even if they are unaware of it. Hosting underage drinking can result in a $2000 fine, court ordered evaluations, jail time, probation, or even criminal charges. Safer drinking habits to practice: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water. Water combats dehydration and keeps you from drinking more alcohol in the meantime. Pace yourself! Binge drinking is dangerous and can lead to alcohol poisoning. Binge drinking is defined as men having 5+ drinks or women having 4+ drinks within 2 hours. Find alternatives to impaired driving. Use Wheels 2 U, order an Uber or Lyft, or have a designated driver for the night. Lock your liquor! Keep your alcohol and medicine cabinets locked up so no one gets into your stash. Sober activities that are family friendly: https://safeandsoberparents.com/2018/07/03/fourth-of-july-things-to-do-with-everyone/ The Fourth of July is a time to be with family and friends and enjoy the summer. Please model safe and healthy behavior for your children, make sure they aren’t accessing liquor or drugs, and drive responsibly. We hope you have a safe, fun holiday weekend!

The Positive Directions Board of Directors is very pleased to announce that Vanessa Wilson, MA, LMFT has joined the organization as Executive Director, effective July 6, 2021. Vanessa brings a wealth of experience as a clinician and manager after ten years of work at YWCA Greenwich, Domestic Abuse Services, where most recently she was the Manager of Operations. In that role, Vanessa managed a team of professional counselors and ensured seamless delivery of high-quality services to victim-survivors of domestic violence. Vanessa holds an MA from Fairfield University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist trained in several models of family therapy such as structural, strategic, narrative and solution-focused. Gail Kelly, Positive Directions’ newly elected Board President, notes that “Vanessa’s background in mental health and domestic violence has helped shape her trauma-informed leadership style. We are thrilled that she will bring her expertise and collaborative leadership skills to our agency. She will lead our dedicated and experienced clinical and prevention teams as they fulfill our mission of providing comprehensive behavioral healthcare, treatment for addictive behaviors, and prevention leadership with the goal of improving the lives and mental health of individuals and families.” Vanessa is happy to be joining Positive Directions at this critical time. “The past 18 months has dramatically demonstrated the tremendous need for accessible and comprehensive mental health care. More than ever Positive Directions’ services are essential, and I look forward to helping the agency further meet the needs in our community. Whether through individual counseling services or through partnerships and collaborations with other members of the community, I’m excited to be part of this caring agency, dedicated to ensuring that individuals and families have the support, skills and resources they need to lead healthy lives. I look forward to meeting our community partners, donors and clients in the days ahead.” Please join us in welcoming Vanessa to our community! You can reach her at vwilson@positivedirections.org or 203-227-7644 extension 823. https://www.positivedirections.org/vanessa-wilson-ma-lmft

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