Healthy Minds Alliance

05/23/2023

Mental Health Monday! 🌟

As Mental Health Monday continues, remember to practice self care and self compassion. You cannot be optimal if self care is optional, and your body and mind will thank you for it.

To our Healthy Minds Alliance Members that serve tirelessly, thank you 💚

04/13/2022

Last week, HealthForward Members Nikaash and Roula from Southwestern AHEC hosted a Collegiate Health Service Corps health fair at Fairfield University.

Check them out in their community! 🤗

06/02/2021

Throughout the past year, Health360 has connected Quinnipiac students with local senior citizens who have been feeling isolated throughout the pandemic. One of these students was Allie Lonstein, a Quinnipiac medical student who found that the outreach she participated in expanded upon her medical training. She shared the following anecdote with us: “There was one evening in particular where I ended up answering an unexpected call from one of my seniors. It occurred to me after the fact that those conversations with the seniors were teaching me the deeper meaning behind many lectures I attended this year on health disparities and instilling in me the importance of listening and presencing as a major step towards helping. I know as future providers we will be limited with time, but I hope we will all find a way to see through the outer presentations of illness and listen with curiosity to the journeys and the hearts of those who are coming to us for help.”

05/25/2021

The month of May is a healing month which highlights the importance of our mental health. It feels so rewarding to have a month dedicated to something that once was a hushed topic. Slowly but surely we are breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health and opening doors to new possibilities. Thank you to everyone who continues to support what we do through the Healthy Minds Alliance. 😁💕

04/06/2021

Our April Spotlight comes from a HealthForward AmeriCorps member Alumni, Meghan Hamel! Here is what she has been up to since AmeriCorps! “I’m currently attending Aspen University for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The summer after my AmeriCorps term, I became a certified nurse aide (CNA), and 6 months later I got a job at St. Mary’s Hospital. AmeriCorps was one of the most life changing experiences for me. I loved working with the middle and high school students and getting them interested in community service and health careers. I grew up in Waterbury, but I felt that I learned so much more about our city and that I was more of a community member after serving at Northwest CT AHEC for 2 years. When I became interested in nursing as a possible career, I chose to volunteer in an inpatient hospice unit which confirmed that nursing was what I wanted to do with my life. The education award at the end of my service went directly toward nursing school.” - Meghan Hamel, HealthForward AmeriCorps Member Alumni

03/24/2021

"I am serving my Americorps term with Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare in Portland Oregon as a facilitator for adult MHFA trainings. During my service term I have had many opportunities to focus on my professional development and leadership skills. On top of leading the MHFA trainings, I have also completed a Leadership Strengths Based Learning program where I was able to discover and hone some of my strengths in the workplace. Additionally, I am the host and co-founder of Cascadia’s Mind & Matter podcast, where we explore the relationship between mindfulness, spirituality, and mental health. It has been a great honor being able to connect with local and international “experts” in the field of mindfulness practice. Currently, I am also working on developing a training that focuses on mental health, reducing stigma, and de-escalating crisis situations related to mental health with another local non-profit here in Portland. On top of all of the work I have been doing with Cascadia, I have also enjoyed exploring this beautiful city and experiencing all of the different nature areas and parks here with my pup, Pico." - Ali Fitch, Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps Member

03/09/2021

"AmeriCorps has granted me the opportunity to expand my knowledge in the Mental Health field. As a Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps member, I have become an instructor in Adult Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR). Through my training sessions I have been able to network with universities in Connecticut, provide local mental health resources to college students and become an advocate for mental health and su***de prevention. I am grateful for my AmeriCorps experience!" - Taylor Corazzo, Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps Member

03/06/2021

03/02/2021

Are you curious on how to observe world teen mental wellness day? "Hollister encourages teens around the world to use March 2nd as an opportunity to practice self-care, be kind to themselves and remember that, while social media might portray a different story, it’s okay to not be okay. To help disrupt the teen mental wellness stigma, share your story or how you’re recharging on Instagram and Twitter with ." 🧠💕

02/22/2021

Today is the start of National Eating Disorders Awareness week! Did you know that over 70% of people who suffer with an eating disorders will not seek treatment (due to stigma, misconceptions, lack of education, diagnosis, and lack of access to care). Eating disorders are complex and it's important that we spread awareness. For more information eating disorders, visit this link: https://buff.ly/3svfldN

01/27/2021

A little motivation for your Wednesday 💭😌

01/21/2021

Our Healthy Minds Alliance Member Spotlight for this month 🥁🥁🥁 is Samuel Gazecki who is serving at Maine AHEC!

"Since starting my service as an Americorps member, I have had the great privilege of teaching both the youth and adult mental health first aid courses to organizations that serve a variety of different communities, which include rural Mainers, African immigrants of Maine, as well as youth who have unstable living circumstances. This experience has increased my interest in working with communities that are medically underserved, especially as it relates to mental health, and I look forward to continuing to serve these communities as I begin medical school next year and beyond as a physician."

Thank you Samuel for everything you do to help serve your community!