Albertus Magnus College, The Connection Partner to Expand Mental Health Initiatives

New Haven/Middletown, Conn., January 17, 2023 – Albertus Magnus College and The Connection are pleased to announce a three-year partnership that provides in-person and on-demand training workshops for faculty, staff, and students – providing the Albertus community with more access to the information, tools, and strategies needed to better serve those with mental health questions or concerns.

With the approach of “there’s no wrong door you can walk through,” a mental health first aid workshop has already been held for a variety of student-serving staff, including public safety, student affairs, and members of the athletic department, who frequently interact with students and could be the first line of support for a student experiencing a mental health crisis.  Upcoming training opportunities will focus on suicide prevention, best practices for opioid treatment, and serving those who serve – a subject very important to Albertus, a Top 10 Military Friendly School.  Custom workshops on the topics of life skills, resiliency, and social connectedness will be built by The Connection and are slated for the Fall of 2023.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring invaluable resources and training opportunities to our Albertus community,” said Director of Health and Wellness Dr. Courtney Mattiace.  “Albertus is known for its values and liberal arts-based education with a strong focus on experiential learning.  Providing this kind of access to information regarding mental health to our entire campus community will help further our mental health initiatives, reduce stigma, and connect those in need to resources.  Students and staff get to learn directly from experts at The Connection, a statewide community-based human services agency that provides needed resources to improve lives.”

“What makes this partnership with Albertus so unique is the e-learning platform to provide convenient on-demand availability for the school community,” said The Connection’s Chief Executive Officer Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore.  “As an alumna of Albertus Magnus College, I have personally experienced the tightly knit family culture at the school when a student is facing personal struggle.  I’m proud that The Connection’s Institute for Innovative Practice will be partnering with Health and Wellness on campus to foster the support that faculty and staff provide for the student body.”

This alliance is an expansion of the services announced by Albertus last fall, when it received a $306,000 grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) program; and $33,480 from the Connecticut Campus Mental Health Program (CCAMHP). 

SAMHSA’s Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Campus Suicide Prevention grant supports a comprehensive public health and evidence-based approach that enhances mental health and suicide prevention services for all Albertus Magnus College students by breaking down barriers to treatment, expanding student options for care, and offering staff, faculty, and students robust mental health training opportunities to better identify mental health issues and effectively respond.