Connecticut Mental Health Center

Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

--SAMHSA's Working Definition of Recovery (2011)

At CMHC, we believe recovery is possible. We see it happening every day. We work with people to develop individualized recovery plans and to support them in pursuing their life goals.

We embrace SAMHSA’s guiding principles of recovery. Here are some of them:

• Recovery emerges from hope.
• Recovery occurs via many pathways.
• Recovery is person-driven and supported through relationships and social networks.
• Recovery is culturally-based and influenced.
• Recovery is supported by addressing trauma.
• Recovery is based on respect.

To learn more about recovery:

• SAMHSA—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Yale Program for Recovery & Community Health / SAMHSA Recovery to Practice Initiative

Continuing Treatment Services at CMHC

If you are on a recovery journey, you may wonder how to receive ongoing clinical services at CMHC. You may be eligible if you meet specific criteria:

• You must be age 18 or older.
• You must meet income and insurance eligibility requirements of the CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services..
• Priority is given to people living in New Haven, Hamden, Woodbridge or Bethany. If you do not live in one of these towns, please visit the CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services to learn about your treatment options.

Connecticut Mental Health Center serves people with mental illness and/or addictions. Throughout CMHC and its satellites, our highly experienced, compassionate clinical staff is dedicated to helping patients find and follow their own individual pathways to recovery.

If you are experiencing a mental health or trauma-related crisis and wish to see or speak with someone at CMHC, your first step is to call or visit our Mobile Crisis Intervention and Evaluation Unit.

This unit serves as the main portal of entry for the majority of outpatient services at CMHC. The goals of the unit are to provide comprehensive and efficient evaluation and referral services for individuals who present with major mental illness or who are in crisis and in need of immediate psychiatric services. The unit’s responsibilities include pre-admission screening, walk-in evaluations, telephone crisis and information services, mobile outreach, and time-limited therapy.

CMHC Non-Discrimination Policy

No one age 18 or older is denied screening, crisis intervention, or emergency care at CMHC. Individuals are not denied care based on race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:30 AM—5:00 PM (excluding State holidays)
Telephone: To reach out by telephone, please call (203) 974-7713.
Walk-In: Visit the first floor of CMHC’s main building at 34 Park Street, New Haven.

Evenings

The South Central Crisis Service is an evening and weekend telephone counseling and mobile crisis service, available to help you at the following times:

Monday through Friday - 5 PM—8:30 AM the following morning
Weekends and Holidays - 24 hours per day

To reach the Crisis Service: Please call CMHC at (203) 974-7300.

A Person to Talk With

If you are not experiencing a crisis or emergency but need someone to talk with, you may call the Safe Harbor Warm Line at 1-800-258-1528. The Warm Line is staffed by trained Peer Support Counselors.

Hours: Seven days per week, 365 days per year, between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Emergencies

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.