Social Emotional Health Day of Training in Norwalk Is Response to Youth Mental Health Challenges

Given the increased awareness surrounding mental health challenges throughout population demographics from youth to seniors, what would it look like if community organizations collaborated to respond?  Norwalk, Connecticut offers one approach, which will be visible throughout the city in the coming weeks and beyond. 

Norwalk ACTS inaugural Day of Training is a free, professional development opportunity for any adult working to support the varying mental health and wellness needs of Norwalk’s youth. The event will take place on June 21 from 9:00-3:30, through a partnership with Norwalk Public Schools.  (Jefferson Elementary School will be used as a training site.)

Norwalk ACTS is a non-profit, cross-sector, cradle to career partnership of over 200 civic leaders, educators, organizations, and individuals who want Norwalk to be a connected and equitable community where every child and young person thrives academically, physically, and socially-emotionally from cradle to career.

“The goal for the Day of Training is to build and reinforce skills to improve relationships for youth-serving adults, community-based organizations, and providers through training in developmental relationships, restorative practices, trauma informed care, and culture competency training as it pertains to at-risk groups,” said Norwalk ACTS Deputy Director Jesse Buccolo.

“90% of Norwalk students are engaged in some form of extracurricular activity, such as a sport or club. That type of positive engagement is good for their self-esteem, mental health, and connectedness with peers. It's also where students may meet an adult who could play a pivotal role in their lives, as a mentor or source of support,” said Margaret Watt, The Norwalk Partnership Director of Prevention and Norwalk ACTS Social Emotional Health Initiative Co-chair.

“That's why the Day of Training is so important. We want all youth-serving adults to have the core knowledge and skills to support kids around mental health, substance misuse, and general wellbeing. The training will provide information and resources so that all adults working with Norwalk youth know what issues to watch out for and how to help.  We designed the Day of Training to be responsive to what we were learning through the Norwalk Youth Survey Data,” Watt explained.

The pandemic took a harsh toll on youth mental health, particularly U.S. teen girls’ mental health according to CDC data, with almost 60% reporting feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness, the survey released earlier this year that bolsters previous data, according to an Associated Press article. The numbers show that 4 in 10 U.S. high schoolers experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021. Nearly a quarter seriously considered attempting suicide, NPR reported.

“Youth are in crisis,” Kathleen Ethier, director of the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health, said in March, according to published reports. “We must collectively come together to ensure that young people, particularly those who are marginalized, understand that struggling with their mental health does not mean that they are broken or that they did something wrong. We must actively engage young people and their families in conversations on mental health and reinforce that mental health challenges are real, common, and treatable.”

Community organizations and the city government in Norwalk appear to be in alignment on the initiative being launched.

“The City of Norwalk is invested in meeting the diverse needs of our Youth’s social and emotional well-being. We are happy to partner with Norwalk ACTS and several community-based organizations to offer a specialized Day of Training to youth-serving professionals.” AnaVivian Estrella, City of Norwalk Human Services Director and Norwalk ACTS Social Emotional Health Initiative Co-chair.

Participating providers are from the following organizations, according to officials:  Connecticut Network for Children and Youth, Courage to Speak Foundation, Family & Children’s Agency ASPIRE, High Focus Treatment Centers, Human Services Council, Horizons at New Canaan County School, Kumon Math and Reading Center of Norwalk, Mid Fairfield Community Care Center, Norwalk Housing Authority, Norwalk Public Library, Norwalk Public Schools, Serving All Vessels Equally Inc, The Norwalk Art Space and The Odyssey Family Executive Center.

“Unprecedented numbers of children and youth are experiencing serious and complex mental health needs that often result in devastating outcomes. We really have a unique opportunity to build upon the critical work already happening in our community and create a collaborative system that can quickly and effectively help our children and youth who struggle with their mental health,” said Marissa Mangone, Senior Officer, Development and Community Partnerships, Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center and Norwalk ACTS Social Emotional Health Initiative Co-chair.

The Day of Training will offer a mix of whole group and small group workshops, including a variety of workshops from which participants can choose from based on their interest and need. Topics will include Trauma Informed Care, Restorative Practices in Action, Social Emotional Learning 101, Inclusion is Healthy, Supporting Students in Mixed Status, and Infusing Prevention.

“Norwalk Housing Authority Learning Center staff are excited about this day of training! Trainings like these are crucial to staff growth and development, providing the necessary services and understanding needed to work with children,” said Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers, Norwalk Housing Authority and Norwalk ACTS Implementation Team Member.

Officials note that learnings from the inaugural Day of Training will inform future trainings throughout the school year. Registration is open until June 14, but space is limited and subject to change: https://bit.ly/NACTSTraining