April 10, 2017, Milford, CT – Bridges Healthcare, Inc. will honor Mental Health Awareness Month and the agency’s 60th anniversary this May with several events open to its clients and the community.

Tuesday, May 9Milford Library presentation by senior clinical team from Bridges’ Adult Outpatient Services will show a video about the importance of breaking through mental health stigma, followed by a discussion of when and how to access services at Bridges, including emergency/crisis services, types of mental health services and treatment available, and information about wraparound services. 7 p.m. Open to the public.

Wednesday, May 10: Bridges is sponsoring a free community forum, “Let’s Change the Story,” on opiate addiction and treatment. Addiction and psychiatric expert Dr, Petros Levounis will speak about the addiction process and new treatments available. There will be information tables staffed by local providers sharing resources available to fight this epidemic through prevention, harm reduction and treatment. The forum will be held at the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St., West Haven. Doors open at 5:30 and Dr. Levounis presentation will run from 6:00 to 7:30, including a question and answer period. Light refreshments will be available. Information tables will be open until 8 pm.

Thursday, May 11: Bridges Young Adult Services celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Low Key Café, an expressive arts event that takes place monthly at the Milford Christian Church.
Friday, May 12: Bridges sponsors Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, free to the public. The training takes place at the Woodbridge Town Library from 9 to 3 p.m. Youth Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour interactive training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Similar to CPR training, mental Health First Aid training helps an individual who doesn’t have clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. For more information or to register contact mjohnson@bridgesmilford.org

Thursday, June 1:  Health, Wellness and 60th Anniversary Celebration. Held at Bridges main site, 949 Bridgeport Avenue. 10 – 5. Activities include: Know Your Numbers health screenings, Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Therapy Dogs, chair massage and more. St. Vincent’s Hospital Mobile Mammography screenings available. For more information on mammograms please contact Trish Kramer, RN, Nurse Care Manager, (203) 878-6365 ext. 345.
The community is invited to celebrate Bridges’ 60th Anniversary with light refreshments and music from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.