The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Grant will fund mental health education
TORRINGTON — Prime Time House recently received a $5,000 grant to develop a new youth mental health educational program, Mental Wellness and You, which will “initiate the important conversation of mental health with school age children, in a familiar and educationally based setting,” according to a statement.
The grant comes from the Torrington Savings Foundation, an initiative of Torrington Savings .
“Our goal is to reach as many children in Litchfield County as possible and help provide the words needed to be able to talk about mental health” said Christina Emery, executive director of Prime Time House, in a statement. “It is important that children develop an understanding at a young age that their mental well-being is as important as their physical well-being.”
Emery said the grant will allow Prime Time House to develop a classroom program and distribute a coloring/activity book that describes different topics of mental wellness and mental illness in an age-appropriate manner. The program is expected to be ready to be presented in schools by spring.
“We believe that encouraging children to talk to a trusted adult about their emotions, feelings and what to do if those thoughts and feelings become overwhelming and don’t seem to go away will help them build life-long coping skills and self-awareness,” Emery said. “We have witnessed what ignoring and downplaying mental health concerns can do to a community and we will continue to fight against the stigma of mental illness and make talking about mental health as normal as talking about physical health.”
Those interested in bringing this free program to a local school can contact Christy Tellier at ctellier@primetimehouse.org or 860-6128983.
According to its mission statement, Prime Time House Inc. empowers local individuals with mental illness to lead productive and independent lives by providing opportunities for education, employment, friendship, housing and transportation. Members are treated with dignity, respect, and as equal partners in their recovery. Prime Time is dedicated to reducing stigma and finding meaningful ways for members to better themselves both as individuals and as part of a community. Learn more at www. primetimehouse.org.