THE HEALING POWER OF 15 MINUTES

March 2026

Dear friends;

I often write about something I’m wrestling with—and this month is no exception.

I had the very special privilege of having my grandmother (my mom’s mom) as an additional caregiver in our home. She provided gentle wisdom and unconditional love to my siblings, my cousins, and me. My Gram was a deeply spiritual person with a quiet strength that brought her through untold heartbreaking challenges and grief.

I think of her guiding words almost daily. In my very early childhood, rest was part of our daily routine. I resisted it ferociously. I didn’t want to stop playing and miss out on a moment of the day.

Gram would suggest that I lie down for a couple of minutes and ‘stretch out’. She was right, of course. I needed to take that time to recharge, and I always felt refreshed afterwards. Later in my high school and college years, I’d be racing from one event to the next and often appeared harried. My grandmother would say; ‘if you have 15 minutes, take 15 minutes.” I knew she was right, but I’d often convince myself that I couldn’t slow down for even that brief break. I’ve always filled my days, packing more in than is reasonable. There are deep reasons for that.

Turns out, it’s not that unusual; relentless schedules, impossibly high standards, the inability to do just one thing at a time. On the surface, these look like productivity. Underneath, they are protection.

Perfectionism is not really about excellence. It's about controlling how others see us. If everything we produce is flawless, no one can criticize us. Chronic busyness works the same way. A packed calendar says I am needed, I matter—but it’s also something harder to admit: I don't trust that I have value if I am not doing something.

When we genuinely slow down, what surfaces first often isn't peace, but anxiety and guilt. The sense that rest must be earned. These feelings are information. Somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed the belief that our value is conditional, that belonging is something we have to keep performing our way into. The fear isn't just "what will others think?" It runs deeper: it’s a socially reinforced distraction from discomfort and fear. A fear of rejection, abandonment, and judgment.

My Gram would tell me that rest is not laziness. Rest is the practice of trusting that you are enough, not because of what you’ve done but because of who you are.

The nervous system cannot heal in a state of perpetual activation. Rest isn't a reward for when the to-do list is finished—it is where integration happens, where perspective returns, where we access the parts of ourselves that endless motion keeps out of reach.

My grandmother’s quiet, peaceful strength still serves as a powerful example for me. She demonstrated that it’s in the stillness that our experiences can be deeply processed.

My friends, we can cultivate the ability to be still with the fullness of our humanity, the tumult of the world, and the depth and breadth of our experiences. We are all deserving of rest.

My best to you always,

Maria

Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW

President and CEO

Every March, conversations about brackets, upsets, and last-second buzzer beaters take center stage. With March Madness energizing sports fans across the country, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on a topic that often lurks in the shadows: problem gambling. March is also Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a time that encourages us to not only recognize the risks around us but to pause and reflect on our own habits. What may begin as fun, social, and exciting can quickly shift into something much harder to control.

A hidden addiction.

Unlike substance use, problem gambling rarely announces itself through obvious physical symptoms. That’s why McCall Clinical Program Director Marybeth Tedesco, LPC-A, LADC, describes gambling as a “hidden addiction.”

“Gambling can profoundly affect someone’s life while remaining invisible to the people around them. And even though it often goes unseen, most of us know someone who has struggled with it, and it tends to stay on the down low.”

As losses increase, so does the shame and the fear that speaking up will lead to judgment. This often drives people further into silence, even as financial stress escalates, relationships begin to suffer, and the warning signs grow.

“People may spend more money than they intended, hide their gambling, or lie about losses. They might feel restless or irritable when attempting to cut back. Others use gambling as a way to escape stress, depression, or anxiety, only to find that the cycle leaves them feeling worse,” says Marybeth.

Struggles stay hidden while gambling is everywhere.

Gambling has never been more visible and accessible. Online platforms offer round-the-clock betting, while sports betting ads fill major events and often feature celebrities or star athletes. Even video games expose young people to chance-based rewards through loot boxes, blurring the line between play and gambling. All of this is delivered through the very devices used daily for communication, schoolwork, and social connection.

The scale of the industry reflects this shift. Last year, Americans wagered an astonishing $148 billion just on sports, a reminder of how deeply embedded betting has become in everyday life. At the same time, an estimated 2.5 million adults reported experiencing severe gambling problems.

Professional help can make a difference.

Many people assume they can stop gambling on their own, believing it’s simply a matter of willpower. But like substance use disorder, problem gambling affects the brain, emotions, and decision-making, making it extremely difficult to quit without support.

Marybeth adds, “There is often something deeper driving the addiction. Like any behavioral or substance-related issue, there are usually underlying root causes. That’s why McCall offers certified gambling counselors with specialized training, knowledge, and experience in understanding and treating gambling addiction.”

Reaching out is not a sign of failure—it’s an act of strength. Like many other challenges, those struggling with problem gambling deserve empathy and compassion. If gambling begins to feel more like a burden than a game, help is available. Call 860.496.2100 to take the first step toward healing.

Did you miss the interview?

Don't worry, we've got you covered! Marybeth Tedesco, LPC-A, LADC, Clinical Program Director, joined 97.3 WZBG to discuss this growing issue, driven in part by the rise of online gambling and affecting both adults and young people.

Listen to the full FM 97.3 WZBG interview.

Coming Soon: McCall’s Give Local Fundraiser!

Mark your calendars! Our 2026 Give Local fundraiser starts on Tuesday, April 21, and ends at midnight on Wednesday, April 22.

This year, we’re raising the roof on prevention and family support!

The McCall Behavioral Health Network is thrilled to announce that the Anne and Rollin Bates Family Wellness Center, located at 262 Migeon Avenue in Torrington, will be opening later this year. Every dollar raised during Give Local will help support the completion of this new home for our Prevention, Family, and Child & Adolescent Outpatient Services.

Stay tuned for more information on how you can help us make this Give Local the best yet!

New Wellness Van Schedule.

We’ve updated the times and locations for our Mobile Wellness Van. With no appointment or insurance required, and a weekly schedule in convenient locations, the Mobile Wellness Van makes it easier for individuals to access the recovery care and support they need.

We offer same-day, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder along with the following resources:

✅ Housing assistance

✅ Employment services

✅ Overdose prevention strategies

✅ Peer recovery support

For questions regarding our Mobile Wellness Van and outreach services, call 860.496.2100.

View the full schedule.

Maria Outlines Key Legislative Priorities for Northwest CT.

On March 13, the McCall Behavioral Health Network joined Community Health & Wellness, Brooker Memorial, and regional leaders for an important legislative roundtable on rural health in Northwest Connecticut.

Together with US Congresswoman Jahana Hayes and state legislators, we discussed the challenges facing our communities—from workforce shortages and Medicaid sustainability to protecting programs like the federal 340B drug pricing program that help ensure patients can access affordable care.

View the video of Maria's remarks.

Honoring Loved Ones:

The Memorial Quilt Square Project.

On March 7th, McCall partnered with TriCircle to host the Memorial Quilt Square Project, welcoming a thoughtful and caring group to The McCall Whole Health Center. Together, participants created personalized quilt squares in memory of loved ones and clients who have passed due to substance use, honoring their lives through art, reflection, and community connection.

Connecticut First Responders Unite

for Deflection Summit.

On March 12th, our Community Engagement Team hosted a Deflection Summit for first responders at CT State Community College Northwestern in Winsted, Connecticut.

The summit brought together more than 75 first responders, including EMS, fire, law enforcement, and community partners to showcase the outreach and deflection efforts underway in Connecticut and to strengthen the collaborations that make this work possible.

McCall Staff attend Connecticut Business Day.

Connecticut Business Day 2026, hosted by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, was held on March 18 in Hartford and brought together hundreds of business leaders and policymakers. The event centered on pressing discussions about economic recovery, affordability, rising healthcare costs, and workforce development, featuring remarks from Ned Lamont and other legislative leaders.

Three McCall staff members—participants in Leadership Northwest, an eight-month development program for emerging leaders offered by the Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce—attended the event alongside their fellow cohort members.

Pictured left to right are Rebecca Lee Rivera, Executive Assistant; Katherine Taylor-Klimkoski, BA, Employment Specialist; and Joshua Licursi, Digital Marketing Manager.

58 High St. Torrington, CT 06790

mccallbhn.org | 860.496.2100