Hewitt Foundation donates $1M for EmPATH unit at Griffin Hospital in Derby

An EmPATH unit that will offer a new approach in behavioral health is planned at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

DERBY - A $1 million gift from The Hewitt Foundation has enabled the establishment of Connecticut's first Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) Unit at Griffin Hospital.

This pioneering unit represents a bold step forward in addressing the growing demand for mental health crisis services, offering specialized help to Connecticut residents in desperate need of specialized care. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 41% of adults in Connecticut have experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression, while 121,000 adults are living with serious mental illness.

“The Hewitt Foundation is honored to support Griffin’s pioneering efforts in behavioral health crisis care,” said Harry P. DiAdamo, treasurer of the Hewitt Foundation. “We encourage individuals, foundations, and businesses to join us in making this vision a reality and in ensuring a healthier future for those desperately in need of focused and compassionate help.”

With a shortage of behavioral health services statewide, individuals in emotional crisis are often brought to hospital emergency departments (EDs) by crisis centers, law enforcement, and well-meaning family members. 

However, EDs are limited in their ability to provide the therapeutic care required, leaving many without the specialized support they urgently need.

“Over the past three years, mental health crisis cases at Griffin Hospital’s Emergency Department have surged by 50%, with one in seven patients seeking crisis care,” said Maria Dawe, MD, Chair of the Griffin Health Psychiatry Department. “This influx not only overwhelms our capacity - it delays care for all patients.

“The EmPATH Unit will expand services for community members in psychiatric crisis with a compassionate, dignified and patient-focused approach in a specially designed and reserved environment. This approach exclusively focuses on improving and expediting positive outcomes.”

An EmPATH Unit represents a new approach in behavioral healthcare, offering a calming therapeutic space for patients in emotional crisis. Unlike traditional EDs, this unit prioritizes rapid, personalized care in a soothing 4,300 square-foot environment that includes a large, open common space with high ceilings, natural light, exterior views, and soothing décor. 

Staffed by psychiatrists, social workers, and trained nurses, the EmPATH Unit will feature sensory rooms with patient-controlled lighting and music, which will act as a safe space to help regulate emotions, tables for socializing, a nourishment station for snacks, shower room, and physician consultation and family rooms for visitors.

The evidence for this approach is compelling. Similar pioneering units across the country have stabilized 75% of patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies in less than 24 hours, reducing the need for hospitalization, and decreased crisis readmissions by 25%, all while eliminating many of the traumatic aspects of traditional emergency psychiatric care.

Recognition opportunities for visionary donors 

Additional support is needed to fully realize Griffin’s transformative vision. 

By joining this effort, donors have a rare opportunity to be part of a revolutionary approach to mental health care that will serve as a model throughout Connecticut and beyond. Donors will also have a special opportunity to be recognized within this innovative space through naming options, including the main treatment area and individual healing rooms.

To view an insightful video and learn more about the EmPATH Unit as well as naming opportunities, visit griffinhealth.org/supportempath or contact Griffin Hospital Development Fund Executive Director Kristy Jelenik at kjelenik@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-7539.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Adam's House in Shelton to host session on supporting child through crisis

SHELTON -Caitlin Iannucci, LPC, and Jenny Noia-Gilson, LCSW, invite you to a free informational session at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Adam's House focused on supporting your child through recent traumatic events. 

In house attendance will be limited to 40. If needed, we will provide zoom link or add additional sessions.

Adam's House is located at 241 Coram Ave.

Register here:http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event...

This is shared from the organization's Facebook page.

Rochelle: FEMA approves funding for crisis counseling in CT

 

HARTFORD -The State of Connecticut has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide crisis counseling to those who have been impacted by COVID-19. 

The program will be administered by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in cooperation with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 
The $669,404 grant will provide the following services:

• Crisis counseling to persons experiencing homelessness who are in shelters, hotels, and in the community, as well as staff in these facilities;
• Crisis counseling to senior citizens in congregate care settings and the community; and
• Enhancement of crisis counseling call-line services provided through United Way 2-1-1.

This information is from a press release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia.

State troopers to host blood drive April 1 at CT Police Academy in Meriden

There is a severe blood shortage happening.

One of the most important things you can do to ensure that we do not have another health care crisis on top of COVID-19 is to give blood. 

There is currently a severe blood shortage. This blood shortage could impact patients who depend on lifesaving blood to survive.

In partnership with the American Red Cross the Connecticut State Police is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Connecticut Police Academy, 285 Preston Ave., Meriden.

Added precautions have been implemented to ensure that blood drives and donation centers are safe for donors and their staff.

You must make an appointment to donate blood at this drive.

Visit www.redcrossblood.org/give to make your appointment.

Info from the Connecticut United Way.

*Post shared from the Valley Independent Sentinel. Stay safe everyone!

Ansonia 'goes blue' to fight pandemic

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"Ansonia goes blue to fight Coronavirus"
"Lisa Nicolari, a health teacher at Ansonia Middle School, along with City Treasurer Judy Larkin Nicolari, came up with the idea for Ansonia to go blue for the fight of the Coronavirus. 
Coming together as a community, let's turn Ansonia blue with lights, blue ribbons, or any idea you may have, as we get through this current health crisis."

This is a great idea! Thanks go to Lisa and her mom for getting us all together as a community. 

Mayor Dziekan signs emergency declaration for City of Derby

Richard Dziekan

DERBY - With all of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, earlier today I signed an emergency declaration for the City of Derby. 

This move loosens some constraints in the City Charter and allows us to react quickly to any issues that may arise over the coming weeks. I want to make it clear that we do not have any confirmed cases of Coronavirus here in Derby, but we are following the recommendation of the city attorney, our local emergency management department, and other professionals who have advised me to take this step.

The main reason for doing so is to open up access to state and federal funding that would not otherwise be available. 

With this declaration, I also have certain latitude to manage this crisis I would normally not have, including the ability to make emergency purchases of equipment to support critical functions like the PD and other first responders.

Our main priority is the safety of our staff and residents. We understand that some actions that have been taken thus far may cause hardship for our residents. Please know that we do not make these difficult decisions lightly and we ask for your continued patience and understanding as we work through this difficult period.

As the home to Griffin Hospital and its Cancer Center, we wish to protect all our residents and patients of the Hospital during this difficult time. 
We have been in contact with Griffin Hospital and the Naugatuck Valley Health District to keep the lines of communication open and transparent. Together we will work to reduce the exposure of our citizens and guests.

Derby City Hall, the Veterans Community Center, the Senior Center, and Derby Public Library will remain closed as announced last week and our schools will be closed until at least March 27, 2020. All in person, board and commission meetings will be cancelled until the end of March and updates on meeting schedules for April will be announced at a later date. Certain meetings will take place via the Zoom application and will be posted to the city website. All other city events are cancelled and will be rescheduled if possible.

I ask that all residents continue to be vigilant about protecting themselves and each other from the virus. Most importantly, please avoid all unnecessary gatherings. If you must go out in public, use social distancing to limit your contact with others and wash your hands frequently. If you are feeling sick, it is highly recommended that you remain home to avoid spreading the illness. Please reach out via phone, text or email to family and friends who may live alone to make sure they are feeling ok. 

If you believe you or someone in your family has contracted COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider or emergency room rather than going to the emergency room to seek testing.

We’re all in this together so it is important that we make a collective effort to protect the vulnerable in our community. 

A copy of the Emergency Declaration is attached to this document.

We would like to direct our residents to the following resources to familiarize themselves with the facts about the virus and precautions that should be taken:

Naugatuck Valley Health District - http://www.nvhd.org/coronaviruses/COVID-19/ 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html 

Dial 2-1-1 or text CTCOVID to 898211 with questions or concerns.

We are acting out of an abundance of caution and have no reason to believe that there is currently any immediate cause for concern in Derby. 

It is important that we do everything in our power to keep it that way. We encourage our residents to approach this virus with caution and to follow the steps recommended by public health officials to reduce unnecessary contact and slow the spread. 
I understand many residents may disagree with this decision, but we ask for patience and understanding as we work through this together. This situation is very fluid and we are following the most current directives of our local health department and the state and federal governments. We will continue to update you in the coming days as more information becomes available.

If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 203.736.1450 Extension 221 or www.derbyct.gov.

Echo Hose in Shelton to host training in Psychological First Aid