Rotary Club, Branford Counseling & Community Services Host 'Asking for a Friend,’ Mental Health Forum

BRANFORD CT — A friend. A neighbor. A family member. Many of us know someone who’s struggling, but we’re not sure how to help.

A great place to start is “Asking for a Friend,” a free and open Q&A with mental health professionals at the James Blackstone Memorial Library on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Moderated by Branford Counseling & Community Services (BCCS), Asking for a Friend is a unique opportunity to ask questions that have been on your mind about a friend or loved one. Questions like:
• How can I help a friend who seems to be angry all the time?
• What do you do when someone you know is lonely?
• I think my friend has an addiction, but what can I do?
• How do you approach someone who may be in denial over a problem?
Professional therapists will be on stage to take questions, which can be submitted anonymously at the event.
The four counselors have a wide range of expertise:
• Danielle Suraci, LCSW, who works with the Branford Police Department.
• Dan Romano, LPC, who works with school systems.
• Naina Rana, LSCW, who specializes in trauma and relationships.
• Jonathan Schneider, LCSW, who works with individuals age 16 and older.

"If there was ever a time to be ’Asking for a Friend,’ this is it," said BCCS Clinical Director Pam Davies. "We are experiencing a mental health crisis, with so many people struggling from depression, anxiety, loneliness. Even though we’ve come a long way in terms of reducing stigma, it’s still hard for some people to ask for help. This event allows people to reach out and get advice, for those close to them, and ask questions that have been on their minds, without the stigma."

Asking for a Friend was created by the Branford Rotary Club, and will be one of several 'Asking for a Friend' forums to be held at other towns across the shoreline.

"It’s part of Rotary’s mission to be on the forefront of issues that affect us individually and as a community, and mental health is at the top of that list," said Branford Rotary President Tery Elton. “At the very least, Asking for a Friend will increase awareness, and we certainly hope an event like this can provide help and direction for those who have been looking for guidance.”

Know someone with a problem or issue and don’t know how to help? Start by attending, Asking for a Friend. No lectures. No pressure. No judgment. After all, you’re just asking for a friend.
And no cameras, please.