• Call or text 988 for crisis support: Services include rapid 24/7 access to trained staff who can help students (and adults) experiencing suicidal, substance use and other mental health crises, provide referrals to resources, and perform warm transfers to Mobile Crisis or emergency services as needed/desired. 

• If you or someone you know are in danger and need immediate emergency assistance you should dial 911. 

• Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS):  2-1-1

• Urgent Crisis Centers - now available to families of children, 18 and under, who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis but do not require emergency department level of care 

• Danbury Hospital Crisis Intervention:  1-888-447-3339

• Kids in Crisis 24-hour Helpline: 203-661-1911

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-SUICIDE

• LGBTQ Youth Crisis/Suicide Hotline: (The Trevor Project) 1-866-488-7386 www.thetrevorproject.org

Financial Assistance to pay for mental health and/or substance use intervention, treatment, or medication for children 18 or under is available for those who qualify. Click here for information. Funding is available for a limited time.

Newtown Department of Human Services

Provided by the Town of Newtown, the Department of Human Services provides referrals to mental health providers and care navigation services for Newtown residents. Human Services has a referral base of community mental health providers. To speak with a clinician please contact 203-270-4612.  

Newtown Youth and Family Services

Newtown’s youth service bureau and mental health clinic. Accepts private insurance and financial assistance and sliding scale fees are available. www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org 203-270-4335 

Family and Children’s Aid (FCA)

Offers outpatient and in-home services to individual and families. They also have a Life is Good Playmakers program to help children heal from trauma. www.fcaweb.org  203-748-5689

Women’s Center of Greater Danbury

Provides prevention, crisis intervention, and support services with regard to domestic violence and sexual assault. Free and confidential services 24 hours a day. Also provides preventative education programs for schools, including NMS. http://www.wcogd.org Domestic violence hotline 203-731-5206. Sexual assault hotline 203-731-5204.

Connecting to Care: Click here for a list of mental health support & services.

School-Based Health Center (SBHC) at Newtown Middle School

SBHC provides medical and mental health services with no out of pocket cost to the family. 203-270-6114

Newtown Youth and Family Services Student Assistance Counselor at Newtown High School

Licensed Clinical Social Worker is available to talk with students on an informal, drop-in basis, and has a focus of substance use prevention. 203-426-7646 x6125

Kids in Crisis Teen Talk Counselor at Newtown High School

The Teen Talk Counselor provides confidential support to all students and families of Newtown High School. The counselor can help students struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss, and peer and family conflict. 203-426-7646 x6520

Connecticut Network of Care

A resource for individuals, families, and agencies concerned with mental health. It provides information about mental health services, health topics, laws, and related news. http://connecticut.networkofcare.org/mh/

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

A resource for families, professionals, and schools about childhood trauma. https://www.nctsn.org/

Connecticut Children and Families

Booklet on Suicide Prevention

Students and parents can anonymously submit any suspicious activity, bullying or other student-related issues to a school administrator(s). https://www.anonymousalerts.com/newtownps/default.aspx

Resources for Families and Students This resource document is being provided pursuant to Public Act 21-46: An Act Concerning Social Equity and the Health, Safety and Education of Children. This Act requires the Connecticut State Department of Education to develop, and annually update and distribute, a document for use by local and regional boards of education that provides information concerning educational, safety, mental health, and food security resources and programs available for students and their families. The Department will continue to update this document as additional resources are identified. 

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Act_21-46_Resources_for_Families_and_Students.pdf

This packet is designed to help families in crisis. This provides practical advice for parents of children who are depressed, anxious, suicidal and engaging in self-harm. This information highlights alternatives to the Emergency Department, how to locate counselors for your child, developing family plans, using school resources, etc.

Helping Our Children: Supporting Their Mental Health