McCall Behavioral Health Prevention Programs
Prevention Coalitions
Collaborating to create a better and safer place for young people
For more than a decade, McCall has brought stakeholders together to address issues affecting young people in our communities collaboratively. Through these efforts, our community prevention coalitions make a significant and measurable impact, ultimately changing lives.
School & Group Programs
Proactive behavioral health support to protect our youth, their families, and communities
Offered on site, in the community, and in area schools, our prevention programs are designed to educate the individuals, parents and children about the dangers of underage drinking, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Additionally, we provide training and support for youth and community mental health, and to prevent suicide and eliminate overdoses.
Mental Health Awareness Training
Made possible by a grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the mental health training program is designed to teach individuals how to identify and safely respond to mental health problems among their peers and, ultimately, help them get the support they need.
NCPN RESOURCE GUIDE
Local, regional and national resources for mental health, substance abuse and parenting support.
If You Need Help Right Now
If you or someone you know is in immediate distress:
Call or Text 988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7 support)
Text HOME to 741741 - Crisis Text line (24/7 text support)
Find Treatment: findtreatment.gov
SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) - YOU AREN'T ALONE!
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a public health crisis in the United States and in Connecticut. Every day is a new chance to overcome OUD, and there are resources that can help you stay safe and find the right paths forward. Join more than 23 million people who are in recovery from substance use.
*SOURCE: Liveloud.org
Change the Script
Resources to Prevent Substance Use and Support Recover
There are clear steps we can all take to reduce the impact of substance use and decrease the risks of overdoses. Access free resources in our updated digital toolkit. Find our mobile vans in your community, providing information and resources to all of Connecticut.
*SOURCE: drugfreect.org
Operation Parent: Free Parenting Webinars
Operation Parent is a national nonprofit that exists to empower parents (and caregivers) to fully engage in ongoing conversations with their K-12 children about technology, substance use, and mental health issues for purposes of prevention. Our evidence-based parent handbooks and free monthly webinars raise both the awareness and confidence needed to jumpstart these conversations. Click the button below to access past webinars and register for upcomimg ones.
We've also added these to our NCPN CALENDAR
The "Talk. They Hear You." Underage Drinking Prevention National Media Campaign empowers parents and caregivers to talk with children early about alcohol and other drug use. (source SAMHSA.gov)
Problem of Underage Drinking and Substance Use
High rates of youth alcohol use, shifting state laws regarding marijuana, and the nation’s opioid crisis are prevalent health concerns that affect America’s parents and caregivers. Preventing underage alcohol and substance use is critical for the following reasons:
- More than 178,000 individuals (of all ages) in the United States died per year from excessive alcohol use during 2020 to 2021, making it a leading preventable cause of death in the United States (CDC, 2024).
- An estimated 2.1 million people ages 12 or older had an opioid use disorder, and nearly 30 percent of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.
Talk. "They Hear You" Parent Resources
Click on links to access & download
Fact Sheets
- Talking to Kids About Alcohol and Other Drugs: 5 Conversation Goals
- Why You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Why Small Conversations Make a Big Impression
- Answering Your Child’s Tough Questions
- Impaired Driving: Talk With Your Kids
- Why Your Child Might Start Drinking Alcohol
- How To Tell If Your Child Is Drinking Alcohol
- What You Can Do To Prevent Your Child From Drinking Alcohol
- The Consequences of Underage Drinking
Brochures
- Talking With Teens About Alcohol and Other Drugs: 5 Conversation Goals
- Talking With Your Teen About Marijuana: Keeping Your Kids Safe
- Talking With Your Teen About Opioids: Keeping Your Kids Safe
- Talking With Your Teen About Vaping: Keeping Your Kids Safe
- Talking With Your Child About Marijuana: Keeping Your Kids Safe
- Talking With Your Child About Opioids: Keeping Your Kids Safe
Other Resources
The "Keepin' it REAL Program
The Keepin' it REAL curriculum represents over 20 years of research conducted by the Drug Resistance Strategies Project to understand more about how our youth make choices concerning alcohol and other drugs. Out of this research a school-based substance abuse prevention program, keepin' it REAL, was developed collaboratively by Penn State University, Arizona State University, and schools around the country. Grounded in cultural norms and values, the program teaches youth how to live drug-free lives confidently, drawing on their personal strengths and the strengths of their families and communities.
The acronym REAL is its central message and teaches four ways to refuse alcohol, tobacco and other drug offers - Refuse, Explain, Avoid, and Leave. The curriculum teaches students how to say no by presenting practical drug resistance strategies that are easy for them to remember and use. These strategies help youth stay away from drugs by preparing them to act decisively and comfortably in a difficult situation. Students also learn how to recognize risk, value their perceptions and feelings, and make choices that support their values.
This innovative, culturally-grounded curriculum was developed to allow students to recognize themselves in the prevention message. Instructors are trained to implement the curriculum effectively in their classrooms. The objective of the keepin' it REAL curriculum is to reduce substance abuse by teaching risk assessment, decision-making and valuable communication and life skills.
Let's make it REAL for your school or organization!
The Keepin' it REAL program has been done successfully at Sharon, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Kellogg grammar schools. If you would like more information about the program or scheduling it for your school or organization reach out to Emma Foster.
Region 1 Resources
Northwest Cares Resource Guide
General Information
Many towns have their own offerings such as food pantries, communal meals, funds for arts, education and camperships, and, occasionally, community funds for those in need. Contact your Town Hall or go to your town website for information. Residents of Connecticut can also contact the Department of Social Services.
Property Tax Relief
Real property tax relief may also be available for veterans, seniors and disabled individuals. See entries on Social Services and Support Groups.
INFOLINE: 211 (Directory of Community Services)
A free and confidential service that provides information on local services –everything from housing resources if you are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, utility and food assistance, child and elder care, after school programs, crisis intervention, how to contact your local legislator, what emergency rooms are open in the middle of the night and much more. Specialists assist with complex issues like financial problems, substance abuse and suicide prevention and with simpler issues such as finding volunteer opportunities and donation options. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Multilingual assistance and TDD access is also available. Call 211 or access the website: www.211ct.org.
IF AN EMERGENCY, dial 911
