This month, our President and CEO, Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, is joyfully celebrating her daughter’s marriage with family and friends. In her absence, we are honored to share a message from our Director of Mental Health, John Fecteau, LCSW, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. We hope you enjoy his thoughtful reflections.
Dear friends;
As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month—and as I personally embrace this season of my life—I’ve taken a moment to reflect on how our collective understanding of mental health has evolved over the 32 years I’ve spent working in the field.
In 1993, I began working as a Counselor at McCall’s Glenlunan House, a group home for people healing from mental health disorders, which was opened by CNV Help, Inc. decades ago. I later worked in a variety of community mental health settings during Connecticut’s period of deinstitutionalization. This was a time marked by the closure of long-term institutions, followed by a community integration effort that, while well-intentioned, was often underfunded and insufficiently planned.
Stigma was rampant, and today, it is still a major obstacle to recovery and full community integration for many, but let’s take a moment here. Compared to the 1990s, we have come a long way, especially in more progressive attitudes related to depression, anxiety, and the effects of trauma. A study published in JAMA Network Open reported survey results in 1996, 2006, and 2018. From 1996 to 2006, “Americans reported increasing beliefs that mental health problems are caused by genetics or disruptions in the brain”, although “while these findings reflected a greater belief in scientific causes, they were not accompanied by any decrease in the public rejection of those with mental illness.” Then, in 2018, they “revealed a statistically significant drop in social rejection for people described as having major depression.”
I know, this doesn’t exactly sound like a cause for a parade, but when I first started, I met someone whose spouse was told by inpatient doctors to divorce them because they would likely never make it out of the institution. They had Major Depression. Can you imagine if someone said that today? It would be met with outrage—and rightfully so. That, my friends, is real change.
Now, the key seems to be, in part, due to increased education about the causes of mental health conditions and available treatment options, along with more opportunities to witness recovery firsthand. We see this in the lives of those we serve—individuals achieving independent living, meaningful employment, reconnection with family and friends, and engagement in social and recreational activities—you know, living a full and fulfilling life.
We seem to be witnessing positive change. Now we need to redouble efforts and use that momentum to increase the public’s knowledge about Schizophrenia, and other conditions where certain symptoms create barriers to really seeing those afflicted as the wonderful and endearing people they are. Recovery is possible, even if certain symptoms persist. We need to both embrace the science behind mental health disorders, as well as the people living with them.
And, by the way, the individual referenced above remarried their spouse, moved back in together, and took up their old career. Funny what some hope can do.
As we honor Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s continue to challenge outdated assumptions, celebrate the progress we’ve made, and remain steadfast in our belief that recovery from mental health disorders is not only possible—it’s happening every day.
With gratitude and hope,
John Fecteau, LCSW
Director of Mental Health
When it comes to recovery (and overall wellness), what’s best for one person may not be right for another. As McCall Family Recovery Coach Alicia Peterson, RSS, points out, “At McCall, we promote many different pathways to recovery, using different tools, from harm reduction to inpatient facilities. Our clients have the autonomy to try the pathway they feel most comfortable with.”
“It’s really about taking small steps that make you feel a little bit better, a little bit safer, a little bit healthier each day,” adds Lauren Pristo, MPH, Director of Community Engagement.
Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all.
In terms of finding the right pathway, Alicia draws on her personal experience. “I’m an alumnus of McCall Behavioral Health,” Alicia shares. “When I started on this journey, I didn’t know where to begin. I had to double back a couple of times. I find that there are always new things to try that help me stay on the path that I want to be on.”
Discovering what works best for each individual’s wellness journey is essential. And so is getting the word out about the various resources and activities that are available right now. That’s why McCall is so excited about the upcoming “Trails to Wellness” event from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on June 5 on the Winsted Green.
“It’s an awesome event that the Litchfield County Opiate Task Force has been putting on for the past three years,” Lauren notes. “It’s a really neat opportunity to come try different tools to help you on your wellness journey—things like yoga, qigong, nutrition, all sorts of different options.”
“That’s why we love Trails to Wellness,” adds Alicia. “We let everyone do the activities hands-on.”
Everybody is welcome.
Trails to Wellness is open to the general public, including children. “It’s a great family-friendly event,” says Lauren. The goal is to let everyone enjoy a variety of wellness activities. There’s no need to sign up or register—and the event is completely free. Just walk on in!
McCall makes healing and wellness a priority in everything we do. To learn more about our programs and services, please visit our website at mccallbhn.org.
Did you miss the interview?
Don't worry, we've got you covered! Visit our pressroom to hear McCall Family Recovery Coach Alicia Peterson, RSS, and Lauren Pristo, MPH, Director of Community Engagement, discuss pathways to wellness and the upcoming Trails to Wellness event, now on June 5 due to weather.
Mental Health Matters – This Month and Every Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to pause, reflect, and recommit to our emotional wellbeing. Whether it’s reducing substance use, practicing gratitude, or simply checking in with ourselves and others, small steps can lead to lasting change. But awareness alone isn’t enough—we must turn it into action. From overcoming stigma to advocating for support, there’s a role for everyone.
In this article, Andrew Lyon, MPH, CPS, McCall’s Director of Prevention Services shares how you can help make mental health a priority in your community.
Discover the quiet strength that carries us through recovery. In this heartfelt reflection, McCall Recovery Coach Alicia Peterson, RSS, shares how resilience helped her overcome setbacks, support her family, and stay present through life’s biggest challenges.
When a loved one is struggling with substance use, it’s easy to lose yourself in the role of a rescuer—but true healing requires the whole family to shift. In this month's Family in Recovery Newsletter, McCall Recovery Coach Alicia Peterson, RSS, shares how families can being to heal – together.
Thanks to you, our 2025 McCall Give Local campaign was a huge success! With support from 101 generous donors and bonus funds from the Connecticut Community Foundation, we raised an incredible $20,825—blowing past our goals and proving, once again, just how powerful our McCall community is.
A special shoutout to our amazing corporate sponsors, staff, and Board of Directors for your leadership, generosity, and for helping us unlock key matching funds.
Whether you donated, spread the word, created a fundraising page, or simply sent good vibes our way, you played a part in this victory. Every bit of support is bringing us closer to purchasing a much-needed passenger van for the women at the Hanson House.
Kelly Scherker, BA, Supervisor of Supported Employment and Integrative Therapies, is happy to announce that a new Reiki Instructor has joined McCall. Carlena McCord started weekly Reiki Sessions at Carnes Weeks Center and Hanson House. She also recently started teaching Yoga weekly at Rogers House and Dempsey Center.
Carlena is a dedicated Reiki Master. She completed her training with HD Reiki in Bristol. She is also a 200-hour certified yoga teacher, having studied at October Gardens under Vidhya in Harwinton. Passionate about holistic healing and community care, Carlena volunteers her time as a yoga instructor at CCAR in Torrington, sharing movement and mindfulness with those in recovery. Through her work, she aims to support others in reconnecting with their inner peace and power.
The McCall Funding Committee is excited to announce recent financial support extended to our organization. We’re extremely grateful for the generous gifts that will help further our mission.
Thank you to: The Cigna Group Foundation
Award amount: $101,200.
Funding will be used for: Expanding our Child & Adolescent Outpatient Services in Waterbury and Torrington! This support will allow us to add a new clinician and increase prescriber hours, giving more youth ages 8–17 access to timely, compassionate, and culturally responsive care when they need it most.
Thank you to: Foundation for Community Health
Award amount: $30,000.
Funding will be used for: Strategic planning and exploring sustainable payment models. These resources will also strengthen our internal capacity by supporting staff time, data infrastructure assessment, and the development of tools for long-term success.
Thank you to: Connecticut Community Foundation
Award amount: $9,560.
Funding will be used for: Providing video and over-the-phone interpretation services for individuals in the Greater Waterbury area who do not speak English.
Thank you to: Connecticut Community Foundation
Award amount: $7,500.
Funding will be used for: Supporting our Basic Needs for Vulnerable Older Adults Program that will help individuals ages 55 and older in Greater Waterbury receive direct, on-the-spot support for essentials (meals, personal care items, paperwork for employment, clothing).
Thank you to: Northwest Community Bank Foundation
Award amount: $1,750.
Funding will be used for: Procuring cameras that are compatible with our NextGen Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, enhancing client safety.
Thank you to: Civic Family Services
Award amount: $500.
Funding will be used for: Providing gas and grocery store gift cards to families of individuals in our Child & Adolescent Outpatient Services treatment program, helping to remove financial barriers that hinder their ability to fully engage in care.
Thank you to: Dr. Roger Coutant Charitable Fund
Four residents from Hotchkiss House recently enjoyed a very delicious and entertaining hibachi dinner at Fuji Restaurant in Torrington—thanks to the Dr. Roger Coutant Charitable Fund. “Some of the guys dressed up,” according to McCall’s Conrad Sienkiewicz, “and all of us enjoyed the various skills of the chef, such as juggling utensils, making the onion volcano, tossing veggies into our mouths, and cracking jokes as he cooked steak, salmon, shrimp, lobster, chicken, noodles, and rice to perfection! We also enjoyed some boba tea and dessert. It was a very memorable dinner!”
Listening to Lived Experience: CT State
Comptroller Visits McCall.
This month, the McCall Behavioral Health Network welcomed Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon for an open conversation with clients and staff about the state of behavioral healthcare—including mental health services. The Comptroller’s visit was part of his commitment to understanding the barriers Connecticut residents face in accessing treatment and how the state can better support lasting recovery and emotional well-being.
Clients and staff with lived experience shared honest and powerful insights. They highlighted critical topics, including the benefits of sustained treatment, benefit “cliffs” that force individuals off Husky and limit access to medications, and the impact of policies that restrict treatment duration or penalize those working toward stability. Many emphasized the mental health toll of navigating these systems, especially when basic needs—like housing, food, and employment—go unmet.
Participants also offered solutions:
Increase access to a full continuum of care that puts the needs of the client first and honors recommendations of their providers over insurance companies
Expand resources for harm reduction and gender-affirming care
Increase rates for Medicaid coverage to ensure access for all
Prioritize basic human needs like housing, food and safety as part of whole person healthcare
The conversation underscored a shared goal: properly resource behavioral healthcare – it is critical to safety and health. We thank the Comptroller for taking the time to listen and for recognizing the importance of the voices and experiences of those we serve.
Thank You to Main Street Foundation for
Their WOW Event!
Contributed by McCall Recovery Support Professional Michael Sweetman.
On Wednesday, April 30, current and former clients from McCall House attended the 24th Annual Wonder of Women WOW event at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. This year’s guest speaker was Donna Palomba, a sexual assault survivor, founder of Jane Doe No More, and an advocate who’s brought meaningful change to Connecticut state law regarding the statute of limitations for crimes involving sexual violence.
A few months ago, I had contacted Susan Sadecki, President of the Main Street Foundation (the community foundation that hosted the event and serves Bristol, Burlington, Plymouth, Plainville, Wolcott, and Southington). I asked Susan if the foundation would be willing to donate a table to McCall. The request was generously approved, and our clients were able to attend. McCall Recovery Support Professional Roxeanne Zamkovsky transported our clients and attended the event as well. I’m happy to report that everybody had a wonderful time and they were very glad to have attended. The message of the event certainly resonated with our clients. What’s more, I felt that our current clients were encouraged to see our former clients thriving. My sincere thanks to Susan and everyone at Main Street Foundation for making it all possible.
Firsthand Accounts of the Rally for Nonprofits.
A rally for nonprofits organized by The Alliance was held on May 20. McCall staff joined nonprofits from across Connecticut at the Capitol for the Nonprofit Rally. We stood united to advocate for increased investment in the essential services nonprofits provide—services that strengthen communities, support families, and change lives across the state. Thank you State Senator Julie Kushner for meeting with us!
Two McCall staff members who were in attendance shared their own personal accounts.
"Standing shoulder to shoulder with over 2,000 advocates reminded me that when we unite, our voices become impossible to ignore. I left the Capitol more inspired than ever." - Chyanna Jacobson-Bernier, Drug Checking Specialist
"Surrounded by a sea of green and united voices, I felt the power of our collective call for change. This rally was a reminder that the work we do isn’t just important—it’s lifesaving." - Farrah McCullough, Family Recovery Coach
Showing up for a good cause: McCall’s Farrah McCullough, Family Recovery Coach; Chyanna Jacobson-Bernier, Drug Checking Specialist; and Vicky Meaney, Harm Reduction volunteer.
Alicia Speaks, Connecticut Listens.
On May 1, a press briefing was held at the State Capitol to support Mental Health Awareness. Members of the McCall Family were on hand to see McCall Family Recovery Coach Alicia Peterson, RSS, deliver a personal, heartfelt message while sharing the stage with Connecticut community leaders, including Governor Ned Lamont. You can watch the briefing here. (Alicia is introduced at the 8:47 mark.)
Spring’s the thing at Carnes Weeks Center.
Creativity is blossoming at Carnes Weeks Center. McCall Clinical Program Director Teesha Huertas, LCSW, shares the accompanying photo of a spring-themed bulletin board designed and constructed by McCall Services Coordinator Danielle Verderame and McCall clients at Carnes Weeks. Talk about planting positive seeds!
Pitching for Mental Wellness with the Yard Goats.
Thursday, May 15 McCall staff attended the Mental Health Awareness Night with the Hartford Yard Goats! Check out this video to see what attendees had to say about how they care for their mental health!
Power in Numbers at Nonprofit Alliance Day.
McCall was at the Capitol for Nonprofit Alliance Day! We're proud to join The Alliance: The Voice of Community Nonprofits and 50+ organizations to spread the word about our services and advocate for increased support and funding for CT nonprofits. McCall met with legislators including State Senator Paul Honig pictured here on the left!
58 High St. Torrington, CT 06790
mccallbhn.org | 860.496.2100
McCall Behavioral Health Network, 58 High St., Torrington, CT 06790, 860.496.2100
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