News, Events & Press

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) is proud to partner with Mindmap, a statewide early detection campaign launched this past February. MindMap aims to enable rapid treatment of recent-onset psychotic disorders in teens and young adults (aged 16-35). Hosted by the Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) Learning Collaborative, with support from the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), Mindmap will guide all eligible individuals into care at the nearest clinic within the collaborative that covers all regions of the state. This service can be accessed through a single referral line: 203-200-0140. CMHA is a valued member of the STEP Learning Collaborative and is ready to care for all eligible emerging adults and their families who live within their designated catchment area.

“We’re excited to partner with Mindmap to help enable a shorter pathway to care for young individuals experiencing psychosis,” said CMHA Clinical Director Alyssa Hunter, LCSW. “Treating each and every eligible individual will ultimately make for a healthier community.” 

Mindmap is based on a successful test of an early detection strategy funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which decreased the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) by half across 10 towns in Greater New Haven over four years (2015-2019). The current campaign will scale this evidence-based approach across all 169 towns of Connecticut. Mass and social media messaging will be combined with outreach and detailing of regional referral networks and other tactics to reduce the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) across the state. Red Rock Branding will continue to partner with STEP to design and implement this campaign.

Those who call the 203-200-0140 referral line will be asked for basic information and receive a call back from the Early Detection and Assessment Coordinator (EDAC) assigned to their region. Over one or more conversations, EDACs screen for symptoms of psychosis and connect callers with an appropriate clinical service within a network of agencies that are members of the STEP Learning Collaborative. For those who prefer to seek care elsewhere, resources will be offered to their clinicians including the STEP Consult Service.  

“All emerging adults with psychotic disorders deserve rapid access to best practice care. This is the goal of our statewide learning collaborative and Mindmap will help us reach affected individuals and connect them to care as soon as possible”, said Vinod Srihari, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and Director of the STEP Program. “Treatment works, the earlier the better. So, we will engage with all stakeholders to actively assist us in transforming pathways to care. This is an investment in the future of our young adults who have valuable contributions to make to our communities.”

The campaign is aimed at young people, their families, and anyone who interacts with emerging adults. This includes educators, youth group leaders, college counselors, community and inpatient clinicians, law enforcement, first responders, nonprofit staff and board members, advocacy groups, and anyone willing to educate themselves on how to better identify psychosis, and then assist the affected individual in accessing  treatment via our referral line. All community members will be invited and enabled to play a useful role in delivering this statewide system of care. 

In addition, the following information is available online at mindmapct.org

What does psychosis look like?

Psychosis can present differently for each individual, however at the core involves difficulty distinguishing what’s real from what’s not real. Common experiences include: 

– Seeing things that others don’t

– Hearing things that others don’t

– Feeling suspicious or paranoid

– Belief in special powers or abilities

– Confused thinking or speech

– Withdrawing from friends, family, and usual activities

– Recognizing patterns or signs in random occurrences

– Extreme behaviors in response to these things that seem very real

Who qualifies for MindMap’s referral program?

– Individuals between the ages of 16 and 35

– Individuals who have experienced the onset of psychosis within the past 3 years

– Individuals who reside within the state of Connecticut

About CMHA

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) is a private non-profit treatment provider headquartered in New Britain, with eight locations throughout the city and in Waterbury. CMHA partners with clients and the community to promote recovery from mental illness and substance use, treating more than 7,500 adults and children each year. CMHA is Connecticut’s first fully Joint Commission accredited Behavioral Health Home and is a SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Visit cmhacc.org to learn more.

Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA) announced that Raymond J. Gorman, President and CEO since 2006, will be stepping down in June 2025. CMHA’s Board of Directors has undertaken a comprehensive process to select the next CEO.

“Ray’s vision for CMHA and its future has been unmatched. He is greatly respected by the agency’s staff and clients, as well as local legislators and fellow community leaders,” said CMHA Chairman of the Board of Directors Todd DeGroff. “As the Board embarks on a search for the new President and CEO, we look forward to CMHA continuing to be a leader in behavioral health care.”

Gorman, a Waterbury native who resides in Newington, began his career in healthcare in 1985 with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS), where Governor John Rowland appointed him as Deputy Commissioner in 1995. As Deputy Commissioner, he oversaw the closure of two antiquated state hospitals, centralized DMHAS inpatient services at CT Valley Hospital in Middletown, and helped develop the community system of care that exists today.

In 1996 Gorman was appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly as the Commissioner of the Office of Health Care Access (OHCA), now known as the Office of Health Strategy. In that role, Gorman presided over the Certificate of Need regulatory process that governed hospital and healthcare providers. In his six years as Commissioner, he rendered over 300 binding decisions related to hospitals and healthcare, including the first Connecticut hospital acquired by a for-profit entity and the closures and consolidation of underperforming hospitals. In addition to his State service, Gorman was the Director of Community Health Services’ New London and New Britain sites as well as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at The Village in Hartford.

Throughout his career, Gorman has demonstrated exceptional leadership in various high-impact roles. Gorman's strategic vision and dedication have significantly impacted Connecticut's healthcare landscape. Gorman joined CMHA as a consultant in 2005 and became President and CEO in 2006. Over the past 18 years, he has led the organization with distinction, driving significant innovation and guiding it through profound changes. He has propelled CMHA’s dynamic transformation while nurturing essential community services. Under his leadership, numerous capital and expansion projects have been completed. The purchase and renovation of CMHA’s flagship location at 233 Main Street in New Britain reflects a significant investment in the future of innovative community behavioral health care and a commitment to the revitalization of downtown New Britain.

Gorman has also spearheaded the acquisition of two Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Central and Northwest Connecticut, increasing access to mental health and substance use care for all regardless of their age, ability to pay, or place of residence. In September 2024, CMHA acquired a 12-bed residential property in New Britain and expanded the affordable housing market in Connecticut. This was the eighth facility purchase under Gorman’s leadership since 2016 as part of a strategy to increase long-term equity and provide program stability. Since 2006, CMHA’s operating budget has increased by more than 250%, revenue is more diversified, and the organization is financially stable. CMHA’s client census also grew by over 30%, all while maintaining high client satisfaction.

Asked about his proudest accomplishments, Gorman stated, “I don’t like to think of any accomplishments as “mine.” All the remarkable success the agency has enjoyed over the years is because of the talented and hard-working people here at CMHA. It has been a pleasure and honor to work with them.”

Healing Dragons ROAR!!

The CMHA Healing Dragons took to the waters at the Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival in Hartford for the 2nd year where their months of training and dedication culminated in an impressive performance. Competing against top teams, our Dragons exemplified the resilience, teamwork, and determination that define both our organization and our mission to promote mental health and well-being.

Race Recap:

• Race 1: 3:08.44 (2nd)
• Race 2: 2:55.16 (2nd)
• Race 3: 3:11.84 (5th)

Thank you to all of our staff who participated: Sue Spitz, Lisa Daley, Meaghan McFall Gorman, Perla Girado, Jessica Cestaro, Austin Gao, Caitlin Rossi, Seana Hendrickson, Aiden Chubet, Rob Dunlap, Ariel Brandt, William Lonsdale, Alyssa Hunter, Christopher Porcher, Ismail Jibrel, Michael Connell, Jose DaSouza, and Ali Saleh.

CMHA Advocates for Vital Services at State Capitol Rally

CMHA and our dedicated staff make an incredible difference in the lives of thousands every year. Earlier this year, our staff and members of the CMHA Team Time Social Club joined forces with over 1,800 other individuals at the State Capitol for the Rally for Nonprofit Funding.

This powerful gathering emphasized the urgency of ensuring suitable or ample funding for the essential services provided by CMHA and other nonprofits. Nonprofits organizations play a critical role in meeting the needs of our community, and their work is indispensable. The message was clear: the time is now to let our representatives know that the vital services provided by CMHA and other nonprofits are not up for debate. Adequate funding is crucial for sustaining these services that many rely on. Thank you to everyone who participated in the rally and to The Alliance: The Voice of Community Nonprofits for organizing this important event. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that nonprofits receive the support they need to continue their fundamental work.