Clifford Beer Offers Relief During Social Isolation

Clifford Beers Clinic is helping people feel connected during these times of social isolation with a new “warm line.” The family mental health agency set up the call-in line, called Reach Out New Haven, so people in need of emotional support can talk to a compassionate listener. The warm is staffed by trained professionals who also have information about locations of food pantries and connections to other assistance.

Clifford Beers CEO Alice Forrester said that the local mental health clinic has set up the “warm line” as a new initiative to provide peer support for any member of the public struggling during the present crises.

Twelve trained peer support specialists will be available on the phone lines from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. The number is (203) 287-2460. Learn more about Reach Out New Haven.

Clifford Beers has also fully converted to using tele-health systems to provide remote counseling services to its client families during the pandemic. Case managers are checking in with families to find out how they are doing and better understand their needs. Many of the families have children under 18 years old and struggle to afford food.

During the first week of the pandemic, Clifford Beers distributed $10,000 worth of grocery cards to 100 of its families.

Clifford Beers was recently awarded $35,000 from the Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund, which is administered in partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GREATER NEW HAVEN COVID-19 COMMUNITY FUND

This story is part of the Inspiration Monday story series produced by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.