Blog
This Giving Tuesday, support your local nonprofit
November 27, 2018 - Reliance Health provides support to over 1,000 individuals each year while leading the way in mental health education and advocacy. We are building a foundation of healthy emotional and mental well-being throughout Eastern Connecticut. With that well-being comes a stronger, healthier, more engaged community.
6th Annual Reliance Health Norwich WinterFest 5K
November 13, 2018 - The 6th Annual Reliance Health Norwich WinterFest 5K is just around the corner with a new date! Join us on December 1st at 10:30 at the Norwich Free Academy as we kick off another year of wellness. We have Matthew’s Catering providing 4 varieties of soups for participants and volunteers, Veggie Characters are ready to roll, and several sponsors have stepped up to support this community wellness event.
The Norwich WinterFest 5K is focused on promoting wellness and community spirit, while raising funds to support Reliance Health’s mission of enhancing health through mental wellness. Each year nearly 500 people participate in the event, bringing their friends and family along to cheer them on.
Moving People Toward Recovery
September 20, 2018 - There were over 1,000 opioid overdose deaths in the state of Connecticut last year, 82 in New London County alone. “I think with this epidemic, no matter where you’re at, what community you’re in, it can happen. I think it’s going to become more common place,” said Norwich city zoning enforcement officer Richard Shuck. Outreach efforts, access to treatment services, and stigma are just some of the many challenges individuals needing assistance face on a daily basis.
Reliance Health, Inc., in partnership with United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 services, is pleased to announce that as of July 30, 2018 Recovery Coach services are available throughout the greater Norwich community. This 6-month pilot project will provide motivational engagement, inspirational support, and connections and linkages to resources for individuals who experience problems or stressors in their day-to-day life due to their relationship with drugs and/or alcohol.
Auricular Acupuncture
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August 13, 2018 - Last week four Reliance Health clinicians were trained on how to provide auricular acupuncture as part of a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ initiative to implement the treatment into clinical services. So, what it auricular acupuncture, and how does it help those with mental health diagnoses?
Moving Day
July 16, 2018 – We’ve come a long way. Almost 42 years ago we occupied a small space in the Shannon Building in downtown Norwich. As a single-staffed drop-in center, we didn’t need much more than a room or two to operate. To say we’ve grown would be an understatement. Today, we serve over 1,000 people a year through 30+ programs scattered throughout Norwich and the surrounding towns. For years, Reliance Health members have diligently traveled between office locations to receive services. If they were seeking employment they went to 40 Broadway, to get to the clubhouse they hiked up Laurel Hill, shot over to Penobscot Street for recovery groups, and popped into Cliff Street to meet with their service coordinator. This week, that all changes.
Par 4 Charity Golf Tournament
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June 15, 2018 - Have you registered for the 2nd Annual Par 4 Charity Golf Tournament yet? If not, what are you waiting for?
Last year, the Reliance Health Leadership Academy hosted our first Par 4 Charity Golf Tournament, raising funds to support the education goals of those we serve. Over $4,000 was raised to support their cause! This year, the committee decided to raise funds to support the development of a teaching kitchen for our new building.
Property Tax Status
May 22, 2018 - The letter below was sent to our donors and e-newsletter subscribers. It outlines a situation we're currently facing regarding the loss of our property tax exemption, and our plans moving forward. As many know, Reliance Health was not the only non-profit to lose property tax exemption in Norwich. To read the news articles that have been following this story, visit our Press page.
May is Mental Health Month
May 1, 2018 - When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it’s a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally. That is why this year’s theme for “May is Mental Health Month” – Fitness #4Mind4Body – is a call to pay attention to both your physical health and your mental health, which can help achieve overall wellness and set you on a path to recovery. “May is Mental Health Month” was started 69 years ago by the national organization, Mental Health America (MHA), to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.
Help Us Build a Teaching Kitchen
March 8, 2018 – Last year our Leadership Academy chose to host a golf tournament to raise funds for members looking to further their education goals. The Par 4 Charity Golf Tournament was a huge success, and a lot of fun! The Leadership Academy graduates raised over $4,000 which has been used to assist 4 members in paying for education related expenses to date.
Leadership graduates were so encouraged that they’ve already started planning the 2nd Annual Par 4 Charity Golf Tournament! This year’s event will focus on raising funds to help build a teaching kitchen in our new building at 2 Cliff Street in Norwich. So, what exactly is a teaching kitchen, and what does it have to do with mental wellness?
All-Gender Restrooms - SmartSign
January 18, 2018 - In 2014, Reliance Health began an initiative to be more trauma-informed and gender-sensitive. Our goal was to improve the experience of members, from the moment they walked through our doors. Part of this initiative encouraged us to review our practices, policies, and physical layout to ensure a trauma and gender informed and responsive environment for all.
Omega Institute's Strengthening Communities Summit
December 12, 2017 - We were honored to be invited to the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY for their "Strengthening Communities Summit" in May. 18 individuals attended on behalf of Reliance Health, to strategize about our overall wellness plan. The time was spent strengthening relationships, discovering passions, and creating goals. One attendee stated "Omega was a powerful experience where we were graciously given the opportunity to work on our Reliance Health programming as it related to wellness, but also bettering ourselves during the process. Each day we were offered yoga, tai chi, or medication to start the day! Also, we were provided wonderful facilitators with various ‘wellness focused’ backgrounds to help guide us along our beautiful Omega adventure together".
Men's DBT Group starting in January
December 4, 2017 - Is DBT right for you?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can help you learn skills to improve your ability to manage emotions (anger, sadness, guilt, hopelessness, etc), maintain health relationships, as well as improve your ability to tolerate distressful situations and focus on the present.
New group starting in January!
Reliance Health Gets a New Home!
October 19 ,2017 - For years, Reliance Health has had a goal to own a space that would allow us to once again offer a variety of programs under one roof. We have drawn plans to build, we have explored vacant mills, we have toured offices for sale but we had yet to find the right space.
For the past year, discussions have been taking place to purchase a building that meets our many needs: keeps us in downtown Norwich, allows for synchronicity between programs, accommodates our growing square footage demands, is well maintained and accessible, offers parking, and provides flexibility for creative programmatic growth. That space is now ours.
2017 Top Workplace
September 25, 2017 - Reliance Health was honored, once again, to be nominated by it's employees as a Top Workplace! Not only did our employee survey result in a 2nd place ranking among mid-sized Connecticut companies, but we won the additional distinction of receiving top scores for "Direction" among ALL of the companies surveyed across the state. We had a fantastic evening celebrating, laughing, and mugging for the camera. The event, held at the Aqua Turf Club, was beautiful.
Norwich WinterFest 5K Updates
September 14, 2017 - Planning for our 5th Annual WinterFest 5K is coming along nicely! We have Matthew’s Catering providing 4 varieties of soups for participants and volunteers, Kelley’s Pace in the Mystic Village has donated a $25 gift card that we plan to raffle off, and several sponsors have stepped up to support this community wellness event. Have you started training yet? Be sure to train for hills, as this course has a tough one!
Rally at the Capitol
September 8, 2017 - Yesterday, Reliance Health staff and members joined with the non-profit community to advocate for our state legislatures to pass a budget and protect community services. We stood on the steps of our State Capitol to put faces to the numbers. We cannot allow our budget crisis to rest on the shoulders of the non-profit community. We need a responsible and moral budget and we need it now.
An Easy Way to Double Your Donation
September 1, 2017 - Through a variety of programs aimed at building skills and increasing independence, Reliance Health helps over 1,000 individuals with mental health barriers work toward realizing their dreams. Many of these dreams include returning to work, learning to use public transportation, getting connected to doctors, furthering education, and obtaining safe and affordable housing.
Finding Confidence on the Water
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August 24, 2017 - Members of our Teamworks Clubhouse have experienced substantial growth this summer. Each Monday, members have been given the opportunity to get out on the water in 5 kayaks purchased through a generous grant from Dime Bank's Dime Foundation. These adventures have been monumental in assisting members in gaining confidence, overcoming anxiety, developing leadership skills, and building connections with others.
We Need Your Help
August 1, 2017 - Friends, WE NEED YOUR HELP.
As you have no doubt heard, the State of Connecticut has not yet passed a budget. As a result, State Departments are asking non-profit providers like Reliance Health to submit plans reducing our annualized budgets by 2.5% and incraesing to 10% until a state budget is passed.
Thos numbers sound small, but we can assure you they are not.
5th Annual Norwich WinterFest 5K - Sponsors Needed!
July 20, 2017 - On November 25th, 2017, hundreds of runners and spectators will be gathering at Norwich Free Academy for the 5th annual Norwich WinterFest 5K. Will you join Reliance Health and the Hartford Marathon Foundation as we bring the crowds to Norwich for this feel good, community wellness event?
Norwich WinterFest 5K - November 26th
October 13, 2016 - Are you a runner, walker, or someone who values mental and physical wellness? Join us for the Norwich WinterFest 5K happening on Saturday, November 26th! We're gearing up for our 4th annual event featuring the Hartford Marathon Foundation, massage therapist, vendors, face painting, soup, and runners in costume. Not a runner or walker? That's OK! We love volunteers too!
Register to run, walk, or volunteer on the Harford Marathon Foundation's website. For up to date information on the event, visit our Facebook event site here.
Introducing Reliance Health...
October 13, 2016 - As you may have noticed, Reliance House is getting a new name, Reliance Health. For years we have been poorly served by the concept of the term “house”. With the recent addition of our outpatient clinic, we recognize the need to connect the agency’s name with our mission statement, “enhancing health through mental wellness”. The name Reliance Health better represents what we are, a multifaceted community mental health center.
Top Workplaces 2016
September 23, 2016 - Out of 975 companies surveyed by The Courant for Top Workplace standing, only 61 received Top Workplace recognition in 2016. We're proud to be ranked #2 in the mid-sized division! We also received a special award for having such amazing managers.
Mental Illness Feels Like...
June 8, 2016 - Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Month, a month dedicated to spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. This May, Mental Health America had established the theme "Life with a Mental Illness". They called on individuals to share what life with a mental illness feels like for them in words, pictures, and video by tagging their social media posts with #mentalillnessfeelslike.
Norwich Winterfest 5K
For the past three years, Reliance House has been partnering with the Hartford Marathon Foundation to bring mental wellness, fun, and physical activity to the Norwich community. We're excited to be doing it again on November 26th, 2016 as we prepare for our 4th annual Norwich Winterfest 5K road race!
Wellness at Work and Beyond
Sheila Lake, Service Director
Hi, I am Sheila Lake. I have worked at Reliance House for 20 years and am currently a Service Director for 6 different programs. As I have grown and learned from so many people, particularly our members and staff, I came to realize how closely our mental and physical health are entwined.
Rappelling for Recovery
Carrie Dyer, Chief Operating Officer
For me, Tuesday, July 29th was not an average day in the office. With the help of Cigna, I was able to represent Reliance House at the "Shatterproof Challenge" at the Hartford Hilton. The event consisted of rappelling down the 22 story Hilton Hartford and it was, simply put, AMAZING.