According to a recent New Haven Independent article, the Stop & Shop on Whalley Avenue in New Haven established the nation’s first community behavioral health “help desk” located in a grocery store. In addition to groceries, shoppers can also pick up free information on a variety of behavioral health services, such as stress reduction techniques and tips for improving communication between parents and children.
The helpdesk is one of 12 “hubs” (or “solution centers”) the MOMs Partnership plans to set up throughout the city. The partnership is a Yale School of Medicine program that works to provide supports and resources for mothers and their families to help reduce stress and increase their overall health and wellness. Hubs will be staffed by “Community Mental Health Ambassadors,” New Haven mothers who serve as liaisons between families and behavioral health resources.
The project was primarily funded from the Hurricane Sandy Supplemental Social Services Block grant to address behavioral health needs of those affected by the storm.
