State Senator Tony Hwang will moderate an expert panel titled “Youth in Crisis: A Community Conversation on Children’s and Teen’s Mental Health in the Age of COVID-19.” The free event will be held at Sacred Heart University’s Community Theatre at 1420 Post Road, Fairfield, CT on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Teens, young adults, parents and community leaders are encouraged to attend.
Panelists include and subject to change:
- Cay White, MD, Medical Director of The Child & Family Guidance Center (CFGC)
- Jeffrey Vanderploeg, PhD, President of the Child Health & Development Institute of Connecticut
- Tim Marshall, LCSW, Director, Office of Community Health, Connecticut Department of Children & Families
- Giovanna Mozzo, MSW, Executive Director, The Hub, Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization (RBHAO)
- James Geisler, PhD, NCC, LPC, Director of Counseling and Student Wellness, Sacred Heart University
“This forum is a rare and timely opportunity to bring key experts to the table and go beyond rhetoric,” Hwang said. “These panelists are leaders of agencies and organizations on the front lines of this. Their experience and insight is key to finding solutions and supporting our children and their families.”
One of the organizations involved in the panel, The Child & Family Guidance Center (CFGC), has shared with Hwang the struggles many families have been facing in the last two years, in particular. CFGC is a nonprofit that provides mental health and substance use treatment and support services to children and families, regardless of their ability to pay.
“We’re grateful to be part of a conversation, as it impacts each one of us living in Connecticut and Fairfield County,” said CFGC President & CEO Michael Patota. “When our children and youth are supported and receive the services and treatment they need, our communities get stronger as a whole.”
Per Covid Requirements – Required EventBrite Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-mental-health-crisis-a-community-conversation-tickets-199516548367
Any questions about this forum, please contact Hwang via email at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov or call his office 860-240-8805.
