What kinds of support services are there?
Personal support is available through friends, peer programs, and family support services, which can include home-based support and respite programs. In addition, other options like case management, community based services, and other support services provide “wraparound” care.
Case Management
A case manager helps you by coordinating the services you receive from a doctor or therapist, advocating for you, and helping you figure out if you are entitled to special programs or benefits. Your provider agency may assign you a case manager.
Community support programs
If you are eligible for state-funded services in Connecticut, intensive case management is available your community.
Also, Melissa’s Project (Guardian ad Litem Services) provides intensive case management and coordinates care across all Connecticut systems (mental health, housing, judicial system, etc.), for people with severe mental illness who have a conservator assigned to watch over them.
One option is the CSP/RP program, where your case manager will meet with you several times per month in a community setting like your apartment, job, or a park—even a donut shop!
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a more intensive program where a trained team of providers work together to directly provide everything a person with mental illness may need, rather than referring you to other agencies.
Wraparound care
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides “wraparound” services for people who have a mental health concern or are struggling with addiction. These services are free or low-cost. They definitely help you reduce the cost of your living expenses while giving you the support you may need if you are struggling with your mental health while working or studying.
Services available through DMHAS include:
Transportation: Travel vouchers, reduced fares, and other programs—including travel training—are available for people who have a mental disability.
Supportive housing: Different levels of care are available, from group homes with onsite 24/7 case workers to scattered-site apartments with staff who are on call. You may start in the hospital, go to a group home to build your skills, and later graduate to your own apartment.
Supported employment: You may receive job counseling, job training, work evaluations and job placement, supervision and support.
Supported education: Many of us have our education interrupted due to mental illness or addiction. Supported education programs offer coaching, support, and academic advising to help us complete our education.
Employment
Whether it’s through BRS (Bureau of Rehabilitation Services) or a clubhouse, you can get help finding, applying for, and keeping a job. Employment specialists help you advocate for accommodations if you need them because of your illness. This service is free through BRS and clubhouses.
“My main support was my education and job counselor at the social club. I would call her if I had any problems, and she would always encourage me, and we’d look for jobs together. She would always push me, push me, and motivate me.”
Transportation
If you use the bus to get around, you can go to www.cttransit.com and get an application for a reduced fare ID card. Your therapist or psychiatrist will need to fill this out for you, and you will need to submit a passport photo and $5.
Money Management
Food stamps, now called SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program) help pay for groceries. Cash Assistance can help with other household expenses. Be prepared to wait for your application to be processed.
“I wish I knew about food stamps back in the day, I wish I learned about cash. Everything I learned for the last 3 years here I wish I learned back then, because I’d be more ready.”