Advocacy and Support
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is a recovery-oriented state and federally funded healthcare agency which promotes the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through a network of statewide services which foster dignity, respect and self-sufficiency.
As a federally funded healthcare provider, DMHAS complies with state statutes and federal civil rights law and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Section 1557).
Services are provided by DMHAS state-operated facilities and funded service providers. For services in your area, visit the DMHAS Finding Services page to locate your town and the community in which you reside.
State-Wide Advocacy Organizations:
DMHAS and DMHAS funded providers work with state-wide advocacy organizations which help people have their voices heard and their rights protected. Links to these organization’s websites are as follows:
- Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. (AU) AU is a statewide peer run organization which promotes people’s rights and recovery.
- The Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc (CLRP) CLRP is a statewide non-profit agency which provides legal services to low-income individuals with mental health conditions, who reside in hospitals or the community, on matters related to their treatment, recovery, and civil rights.
- Disability Rights Connecticut (DRCT) DRCT is Connecticut’s independent federally funded Protection and Advocacy system.
DMHAS Resources:
- DMHAS Office of the Commissioner:
- Advance Directives for Mental Health
- CT Military Support Program (MSP)
- Family Support Services
- Problem Gambling Services
- Social Clubs
- Statewide 800 #s
- Suicide Prevention Resources
- Warm Lines
Other Advocacy and Recovery Resources:
- Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (pdf)
- Alcoholics Anonymous (CT site)
- Autism Services and Resources
- Connecticut Association of Centers for Independent Living (CACIL)
- Connecticut Brain Injury Association
- Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
- Connecticut Region of Narcotics Anonymous
- CT Dept. of Social Services: Insurance and Entitlements
- INFOLINE 2-1-1
- Keep the Promise Coalition
- Mental Health Connecticut
- National Alliance on Mental Illness - Connecticut (NAMI-CT)
- New Life II
- Office of the Healthcare Advocate
- TOIVO by Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.
- Turning Point CT
- Western Connecticut Association for Human Rights (WeCAHR)
Other Resources:
- Consumer Toolkit for Navigating Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse Care Through Your Health Insurance Plan
- Connecticut Clearinghouse
- Connecticut Women's Consortium
- Courage to Speak Foundation, Inc.
- Governor's Prevention Partnership
- "You and Your Mental Wellness" by Victoria Molta (Cable Series)
- Psychedelic Peer Support Line (by phone or text) (Fireside Project) - Statewide - 6-2FIRESIDE; or (623-473-7433)
(2pm to 2am EST, 7 days a week)
Fireside Project’s Psychedelic Peer Support Line will offer free peer support by phone and text message to people in the midst of psychedelic experiences, people holding space for others who are in the midst of psychedelic experiences, and people integrating past psychedelic experiences.
Citizen Involvement:
Updated September 14, 2023