Mental Health and Substance Abuse 24/7 Hotlines
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - call 988 or 1-800-273-8255The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in any kind of distress and provides prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved one. Available in 100+ languages including text, chat and American Sign Language (ASL) options. For more information please visit their website.
Crisis Text Line - Text HELLO to 741741
Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. For more information, please visit their website.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
This is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. For more information and for a list of their local treatment facilities please visit their website.
Disaster Distress Helpline - 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUS to 66746
This helpline provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. For more information please visit their website.
Veterans Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. For more information, please visit their website.
What is Substance Abuse and Mental Health?
Substance abuse, or also known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of a drug (alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, etc.) in which the user consumes the substance in amount or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others.
For information on opioids and the opioid epidemic, please visit this webpage.
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being which affects how we think, feel, and act. Includes health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, etc. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood.
Opioids
For information regarding the opioid epidemic and for resources, please visit our opioid page.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse General Resources
CredibleMind: The CredibleMind website has many self directed behavioral health resources and screening tools.Screening Tools - Get your check up from your neck up
Taking a screening test if one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition or substance use disorder. These screenings are quick, easy, completely anonymous, and will help you determine if your recent thoughts or behaviors may be associated with a common, treatable issue. Please visit Mental Health America's screening webpage for additional screening tools and more information on the screening tools below to get your check up from your neck up.
Anxiety Disorder - this screening should be taken if you are constantly worried and/or anxious.
Bipolar Disorder - this screening should be taken if you are experiencing mood swings from very high to very low.
Depression - this screening should be taken if you are feeling sad, down, or empty.
Eating Disorder - this screening can be taken if you are concerned about gaining weight or your eating habits.
Parent Test: Your Child's Mental Health - if you have concerns about your child's mental health
Postpartum Depression Test - for new and expecting parents.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - this screening should be taken if you are troubled by traumatic events.
Psychosis or Schizophrenia Test - take this screening if you are concerned you may have these conditions.
Substance Use - this screening should be taken if you have concerns about your alcohol or substance use.
Youth Mental Health Test - this screening should be taken if you are a youth concerned about your mental health.
Resources
Resources in Fairfield
Below are some resources in Fairfield. For more information and for a complete and comprehensive list of resources in Fairfield, please visit the Fairfield's Department of Human and Social Services webpage.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Fairfield - established in 2000, this group has the following purposes:
- To support families, friends & loved ones with brain disorders
- To educate families of services & available treatment options
- To eliminate the stigma of mental illness
- To use language of acceptance and inclusion
- To advocate for better services & treatment options, protect client rights, support research & enhance the public understanding of brain disorders
- To cooperate with other groups having goals in common with NAMI
LifeBridge/Fairfield Counseling - LifeBridge helps adults, youths, and families by providing the tools that strengthen their ability to cope, adapt, and overcome challenges. Their Fairfield facility is located at 125 Penfield Road, Fairfield, CT, their phone is: 203-255-5777 and office hours ate Monday and Wednesday 8am - 8pm, Tuesday and Thursday 8am - 9pm, and Friday 8am - 5pm.
TheHubCT - a regional resource supporting and coordinating mental health, suicide awareness, substance use prevention and problem gambling.
Veterans Resources and Support
Launched in 2011, MakeTheConnection.net connects Veterans, their family members and friends, and other supporters with mental health information, local resources, and Veterans’ own inspiring stories of recovery. Visitors can learn about the signs of mental health conditions or substance use problems and find sources of support. The site is free and accessible to everyone.
Other Resources
The Connecticut Clearing House has developed a comprehensive resource guide of behavioral health services throughout the state. The resource guide can be found here.
The Hub, which is the Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT, has a comprehensive list of mental health and substance abuse services in the Greater Bridgeport area which can be found here.
Below are outpatient and treatment centers for those who would like to get help with any substance abuse or mental health issues. The staff will be able to determine what course of treatment and services the person qualifies for, what would work best, and address insurance-related issues for anyone who is evaluated at one of the below centers.
| Town/City | Center |
|---|---|
| Bridgeport | Connecticut Renaissance Outpatient 1 Lafayette Circle Phone: 203-336-5225 Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm RNP/Kinsella Treatment Center 1862 Commerce Drive 203-335-2173 Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturdays - 6:30am - 10:30am |
| Norwalk | Connecticut Renaissance Outpatient 4 Byington Place Phone: 203-866-2541 Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm |
| Stamford | Connecticut Renaissance Outpatient 141 Franklin Street Phone: 203-325-4193 Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm |
| Stratford | Recovery Network of Programs/Center for Human Services 2 Research Drive Phone: 203-386-8802 Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 8:30pm Friday 8:30apm - 5pm |
For more information and substance abuse and mental health resources please visit The Hub's website.
For additional treatment centers and resources, please visit rehabs.org.
Programs
Smoking Cessation
For free support in quitting, including free coaching, a free quit plan, free educational materials, and referrals to local resources, call the Connecticut QuitLine at 800-QUIT-NOW, 1-800-784-8669, or, 855-DÉJELO-YA, 1-855-335-3569 (en Español).
FREE research programs/treatment at Center for Nicotine & Tobacco Use Research at Yale. For more information please contact: (203) 974-7588 or century@yale.edu
Visit the CDC website for tips for quitting from former smokers
Fairfield CARES
Fairfield Cares Community Coalition, established in 2009, is a town-wide organization including parents, school representatives, local business leaders, law enforcement personnel, clergy, counseling professionals and youth services organizations.
Fairfield Cares is dedicated to preventing underage drinking and substance abuse in Fairfield, increasing awareness of the risks of various forms of addiction, promoting healthy choices and behaviors to increase personal wellness, and strengthening community well-being and resilience.
For more information or how you can get involved, please visit their website.
Mental Health Webinars 2023
Starting in January 2023, Fairfield Health Department along with our partners in Region 1 will be hosting a series of Mental Health Webinars.
January 2023 Mental Health Webinar - General Population