Emotional and Mental Heatlh
Being mentally healthy means feeling reasonably good about yourself and others. It does not mean feeling good all of the time. No one does. Everyone has strong feelings, particularly about the emotional issues facing them.If the feelings begin to interfere with your normal activities, they may be WARNING SIGNS. These warnings signs include:
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior
- Depression, prolonged unhappiness, withdrawal from friends
- Anxiety, strong feelings of uneasiness, fear or imagined danger
- Unfounded physical complaints
- Not working up to potential in school or sports
- Frequent changes in friends
Talk to friends and relatives who are good listeners and can help you. Trust your feelings and find someone who makes you feel comfortable. Emotional problems are not hopeless or incurable. A troubled person can get help.
If your problems seem too difficult or personal to discuss with a friend or relative, then you may need professional counseling. Counseling is a confidential opportunity to discuss personal issues with someone you trust. You explain to the counselor how you are feelings and why you are feeling that way.
Discussing your feelings helps you to learn how to understand yourself better.
Mental health centers, youth and family service agencies, and other organizations provide counseling on issues such as:
- Drug or Alcohol misuse and abuse
- Sexuality
- Peer Pressure
- Depression or Anxiety
- Family Conflict
Some agencies help teenagers without parental permission. Call first and ask about services for teens, fees, and appointments. Remember, don’t let anything keep you from getting the help you deserve. If the first person you ask doesn’t help you out, ask someone else.
Family service agencies can provide individual and family counseling. Please ask a school counselor or psychologist or call for information and appointments:
- Housatonic Youth Services 860-824-4720
- New Milford Hospital Mental Health Clinic 860-354-3762
- New Milford Youth Agency 860-354-0047
- Mental Health Association of CT 800-842-1501
- Mobile Emergency Psychiatric Services 203-748-5689
866-543-2774
Mission Statement:
The New Milford Youth Agency coordinates and fosters programs which promote the protection, welfare and well-being of the youth of the Town of New Milford consistent with the needs of local youth and families and the Charter of the Town of New Milford.