Over thirty years ago, a woman named Holly Schoonmaker took a giant first step toward changing the landscape of behavioral health care in Southeastern Connecticut.  With the help of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, she obtained a grant from The Aid Association for Lutherans and started an agency that assisted patients from Norwich Hospital in making the transition into their communities.  Beginning with two rented apartments and donated furniture, dishes, and a truly revolutionary idea, Holly helped people achieve reintegration into their communities. That agency was First Step, Inc.

At roughly the same time, an agency called Community Mental Health Services of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc., later known as Integrated Behavioral Health, Inc., was setting up shop in New London, to provide outpatient clinical services in concert with the community supports offered by First Step as a means of minimizing hospitalizations.

In August of 2005, First Step and IBH merged, forming Sound Community Services and bringing the full range of behavioral health services under a single umbrella.  This move to consolidate the agencies affirmed research demonstrating that comprehensive services improve a person’s chances for recovery, as well as the longstanding collaborative service and commitment to those with behavioral health needs.   In recent years, through its new Community Education Program, Sound Community Services has done significant work in correcting negative stereotypes about mental illness that lead to prejudice and discrimination. 

Since that long-ago “first step” taken by Holly Schoonmaker, this agency has grown to seven sites, employing 140 individuals, serving over 2500 people in the past year, and making Sound Community Services one of the largest employers in the city of New London.  It has been our privilege to participate in the recoveries of the thousands of individuals we have served in New London County throughout the years.

Our Mission

The mission of Sound Community Services, Inc. is to deliver seamless, diversified mental health services, such as case management, clinical services, employment, housing, and social services to its consumers and community.

Eliminating Stigma

Stigma:  a mark or sign of shame, disgrace, or disapproval, of being shunned or rejected by others.

Stigma discourages people from getting help.  At any given time, one in four adults and one in five children experience a mental health problem. Early and appropriate services can be the best way to prevent an illness from getting worse. Many people don't seek such services because they don't want to be labeled as "mentally ill" or "crazy."

Stigma keeps people from getting good jobs and advancing in the workplace.  Some employers are reluctant to hire people who have mental illnesses. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), such discrimination is illegal. But it still happens!

Stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and violence.  Even though the vast majority of people who have mental illnesses are no more violent than anyone else, the average television viewer sees three people with mental illnesses each week-and most of them are portrayed as violent. Such inaccurate portrayals lead people to fear those who have mental illnesses.

Stigma results in prejudice and discrimination.  Many individuals try to prevent people who have mental illnesses from living in their neighborhoods.

Stigma results in inadequate insurance coverage.  Many insurance plans do not cover mental health services to the same degree as other illnesses. When mental illnesses are covered, coverage may be limited, inappropriate, or inadequate.

What you can do about stigma:

• Educate yourself; learn accurate and current information about mental illness and spread the word.

• Object in writing, by e-mail or by telephone when you see stigmatizing advertisements or media coverage.

• Avoid labeling people by their diagnosis.  Instead, use person first language, like “person with a mental illness” or “someone who has schizophrenia,” rather than “the mentally ill” or “schizophrenics”.

• Obey the laws in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities (including mental illnesses) in all areas of public life, including housing, employment, and public transportation. 

• Recognize and appreciate the contributions to society made by people who have mental illnesses.  People who have mental illnesses have the same array of talents and abilities as anyone else; many have been major contributors to American life in the arts, sciences, politics, and professional sports.

Treat people with the dignity and respect we all deserve.  Mental illness has no regard for ethnicity, race, faith or educational level.