Root Center Celebrates Expanded Teen and School-Based Services

April 14, 2022

Manchester, CT – April 13, 2022 – The Root Center for Advanced Recovery, one of Connecticut’s leading mental health and substance-use treatment organizations and oldest nonprofit agencies, has been increasing its “footprint” in teen services to help address a growing mental health crisis and record overdose deaths among teens nationwide. A March 2022 CDC report put forth that 4 in 10 teens (40%) reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, with 1 in 5 (20%) saying they have contemplated suicide. A study released by JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) on April 12, 2022, reported that teen overdose deaths more than doubled from 2010 to 2021, jumping from 518 to 1,146 deaths annually.

To help support the growing community need, the Root Center has expanded its IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) services, for both in-person and virtual treatment, as a way to provide more comprehensive mental health and/or addiction treatment. The organization has also initiated collaborations with numerous high schools in the region to support their need for more on-site clinical staff support due to the burgeoning crises. Through these school partnerships, the Root Center will be providing expert clinical staff at the schools to help support students on their “road to recovery.” And when those teens need more, the Root Center will be there, leveraging our 10 clinic locations across the state to support those teens that require intensive services outside of the school environment.

“We feel strongly about impacting our community in ways that can invoke change and recovery” said President & CEO Steven Zuckerman. “As behavioral health needs continue to change, our organization will continue to adapt to enhance and expand our clinical treatment service offerings, and become an even richer resource for our community.”

Root Center for Advanced Recovery is a holistic behavioral health center, headquartered in Manchester, CT, that serves over 5,500 patients each day. Root Center offers an array of treatment services for adolescents and adults with mental health and substance use disorders; services include medication assisted treatment, intensive outpatient programming, day treatment programming, outpatient therapy services, both in-person and virtual, and school-based services. Root Center began serving the community in 1871, and continues to create relationships that empower clients and support change. Center locations include Bristol, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New London, Norwich, Torrington, and Willimantic.

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It is time for our first Community Forum of 2026. On January 13th at 6 p.m, we will be hosting a panel of experts at 335 Broad Street in Manchester to discuss the impacts of social media on mental health. "Scrolled Out: Social Media and the State of Our Minds" is sure to spark insightful conversations about our digital age. If you missed the event, not to worry, you can watch and listen to the full discussion here . Panelists include: John Murphy: UConn Digital Media & Design Professor and Digital Health Advocate Paul Weigle, Associate Medical Director for Natchaug Hospital, a Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network partner, at UConn Medical School Keith McGilvery, Good News Guy and Journalist Micheal Shelby, LPC, Founder and Director of Technology Addiction Center, LLC, and Plan Be Counseling, LLC Aly Fox, Root Center Clinic Supervisor State Representative Gary Turco
January 6, 2026
Calling all Artists! Root Center is pleased to present New Beginnings, an art exhibition celebrating recovery, hope, and renewal on the eve of the Vernal Equinox. On March 19th , Root Center will host this juried art show at our Branford location , featuring work by local artists exploring the theme of New Beginnings . Much like recovery itself, the exhibition reflects the possibility of change, growth, and redefinition. The selected works invite viewers to consider what it means to start again—whether through healing, self-discovery, or the quiet courage it takes to move forward. Timed with the return of spring, New Beginnings honors transformation as both a personal and collective experience . Artists are encouraged to interpret new beginnings broadly. The following genres will be considered: all 2D works, including, mixed media, painting, photography, drawing, collage, printmaking, illustration, graffiti, printed/recorded word. Condition: 2D works are recommended to be framed, but not mandatory. Works must be hang ready. Please do not use fisheye hooks or saw tooth hangers. For questions, please contact margaux.farrell@rootcenter.org Submission and Exhibition Date: Deadline to submit: February 16th, 2026. The exhibition will run March 19th, 2026 - June 19th, 2026. The reception will open Thursday, March 19th from 6-8pm. Accepted work: you will receive an email you art has been selected Friday, February 20th, 2026. If you art has not been accepted, you will also be notified on this date. Send Submission: In an email, please include the following: name, contact info (phone &email), and submit up to 5 photos/recordings for each work. For each piece submitted, please include: title, size (inches), price (if applicable) for each, and an artist statement for each piece. Links to additional work are also permissible. Email your submission to margaux.farrell@rootcenter.org - subject: Root - NEW BEGINNINGS Cost: The Root Center for Advanced Recovery does not charge for submissions and takes 0% commission on all artwork(s) sold. Location: Stony Creek Medical Center, 6-12 Business Park Drive, Branford, CT 06405 Submission: Please submit all pieces for consideration via email to margaux.farrell@rootcenter.org by FEBRUARY 16th, 2026 . All submissions will be responded to by February 20th. Special thanks to Alex Ranniello , MA for your collaboration as our juror on this exciting project!
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