The following is a press release from the Wilton Congregational Church, which is presenting “Breaking the Silence,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, April 29 at 7-8 p.m., that hopes to help reframe the conversation on mental health and erase the stigma, fear, isolation and shame experienced by those dealing with it. Created to be an informative and empowering evening for youth and adults alike, the moderated panel discussion offers ample time for questions and is open to the community free of charge.

Like many Fairfield County towns, Wilton is an achievement-minded community. While the push for academic, athletic, artistic, professional and social success may lead some to excel, for others it results in stress, disappointment and loneliness.

We nurture our physical health, openly discussing physicians, ailments and treatments with family and close friends, but when emotional challenges become overwhelming or the blues turn into depression, little is said.

“Many people feeling emotionally overwhelmed are uncomfortable talking to friends and family about their struggles. This leaves them isolated at a time when a connection to others may be the very thing that would help,” noted Leslie Rogers, LCSW, who raised her three children in Wilton. “We seem to accept people’s physical ailments more easily than we do emotional challenges, when in fact, both should be treated equally.”

An individuals’ and couples’ therapist in private practice in Norwalk, facilitator of parenting classes, and adjunct professor in Fairfield University’s graduate Mental Health Counseling program, Rogers sees first-hand the effects of our busy lives on ourselves, our relationships and our children.

It’s time to reframe the conversation on mental health and erase the stigma, fear, isolation and shame experienced by those dealing with it. Join the discussion on Tuesday, April 29 from 7-8 p.m. when the Wilton Congregational Church presents “Breaking the Silence.” Find informed answers to your questions and learn more about:

  • Common emotional concerns facing teens and adults in Wilton, such as stress, anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse;
  •  The warning signs that intervention may be needed;
  • Who to turn to for help.

“Much of parenting entails teaching and modeling for our children to help them become the best they can be. A great challenge we have as parents is to recognize that the teen years are a game changer. We have to learn a new paradigm for how we parent,” observed Wilton resident Debra Hyman, M.A., L.P.C. who practices psychotherapy in Stamford. Hyman brings to the table 30
years of experience working in adolescent substance abuse treatment and seven years as director of Youth Options, an outpatient adolescent counseling service concentrating in substance abuse prevention and intervention.

Panelists Rogers and Hyman will be joined by Wilton High School senior and mental health advocate, Isabel Zayas, founder of the school’s LETS club (Lets Erase the Stigma), and a founding member of a mental health advisory group dedicated to spreading the anti-stigma message.

“I started the LETS club because of my own struggles with anxiety and depression,” Zayas said. “I felt that my peers did not understand what I was going through—even my friends were intolerant of my situation—and realized that it was important to try to change the climate at Wilton High School toward mental illness. I especially wanted to help those who, because of the stigma associated with mental illness, might not seek the help they need. By speaking publicly about my private journey of recovery, I hope to put a human face on mental illness and encourage others not to be ashamed of who they are or what they have gone through,” Zayas explained.

“Breaking the Silence” promises to be an informative and empowering evening for youth and adults alike. Registration is not required and there is no fee for this event. Wilton Congregational Church is located at 70 Ridgefield Rd. and is handicap accessible.