Chamber hosts event at area middle school about mental health

TORRINGTON — The Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program hosted an event at Torrington Middle School to bring mental health awareness to the eighth-grade students.

“As part of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, we recognized a need for increased access to mental health services for kids. We wanted to create a connection between area schools and local providers who can give direct support and resources to the students in the school,” said Kelsey Dlugozima, a member of the chamber’s Leadership Northwest.

“This presentation was set up for eighth graders entering their high school career. We wanted students to feel supported and educated about mental health, and decrease stigma surrounding it,” said TMS social worker Kate Davis.

“For me, I have a nephew that is in the eighth grade, so I had a personal interest in the event,” said member Roderick Mickens. “It made me think about his transition to high school next year. Although he handled remote schooling at home due to COVID well and is doing fine, I am going to give him one of the bookmarks we created and have a conversation with him about mental health in general, ways to cope with emotions, and how his family is there for him, as well as additional resources, if needed.”

The event included a presentation from by Andrew Matusiak and his team of professionals at Challenging Minds, LLC, who presented a game of mental health jeopardy to the different houses of students at Torrington Middle School to engage the eighth graders in advocating for their own mental health and in discussions around education on mental health. The Torrington Middle School Social Workers support students throughout the school year and have “learned over the years how to stay regulated and in control of themselves,” and that showed at the event with how knowledgeable students were about mental health.

“We were especially impressed by the maturity of the students and their willingness to engage with the process. It brought us great joy to see their open mindedness to mental health issues and how important it is to reduce the stigmas that can be associated,” stated, Andrew Matusiak, LCSW, Owner and CEO of Challenging Minds LLC.

Students left the event with a bag of resources that included a bookmark made for the event with coping skills to use, and phone apps that support meditation and information on accessing resources from Challenging Minds, LLC.

“We hope our project expands past our cohort’s completion of the program and helps schools explore ways local community health providers can support students,” stated Kelsey Dlugozima, LCSW.

“Challenging Minds did a fantastic job with explaining different coping mechanisms, and creating a safe space where students felt comfortable enough to discuss some of the difficult topics in regards to mental health. The kids were engaged, actively participating, and full of life and energy, which was incredible to see and be a part of,” said member Andrew Laviero.

Leadership Northwest is a program designed to develop resourceful, motivated business leaders who are committed to making Northwest Connecticut a better place to live and work.

Participants meet between October and June on the third Wednesday of each month. Each session offers a full day of professional development, with workshop participation, panel discussions, and tours of state and local organizations. In addition, each participant works with a team to plan and complete a self-directed, community oriented service project.

Andrew Matusiak, LCSW is the owner and CEO of Challenging Minds, LLC. Challenging Minds, LLC provides holistic care with approaches to treatment that fit the individual. Located at 30 Peck Rd, Suite 2105, Torrington, CT and at 896 Bantam Rd, Bantam, Connecticut.