To begin, you should find a set of doctors that you trust. Every young adult needs a primary care physician. A primary care physician will take care of things like your annual physical, as well as general questions and concerns you may have. You want to be sure to set up an initial appointment with your primary care physician. This way, you’ll get to know your doctor, and they’ll get to know you.

If you don’t have a primary care physician, and you are sick or need treatment, there are several walk-in clinics all over the state. Generally, it doesn’t take long once you walk in to see a doctor.

In addition, you will want to be sure to connect with other specialists such as dentists, dermatologists, ear-nose-throat specialists, gynecologists, etc.

See the TurningPointCT Map for information on several peer-approved doctors.

Another part of taking care of yourself physically includes eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. Choosemyplate.gov is a government funded website that allows users to discover what it means to live a balanced lifestyle- between dietary needs and exercise needs. The site provides resources for the user to maintain a healthy weight. These resources include: a BMI calculator, tips for making better food choices, eating healthy, etc.

Start with a “Check Up From the Neck Up” here.

Answer questions to help you determine if your recent thoughts and behaviors are of concern. The screening will let you select which behavior is concerning you and will tailor questions based on that behavior. At the end of the questionnaire, there is a link to a resource guide where you can find services all over the state.

In addition, you can also find resources and services in the Resources section of TurningPointCT.org.

Emotional self-regulation is the ability to respond to the ongoing demands of experience with the range of emotions in a manner that is socially tolerable and sufficiently flexible to permit spontaneous reactions as well as the ability to delay spontaneous reactions as needed. At the end of the day the key is for you to feel relaxed, safe and happy; below are a list of topics on different emotions followed by guiding steps on how you can help yourself and where you can start whenever you are experiencing unfavourable emotions or feelings.

Relaxation is key to managing our mental health and regulating our emotions.

Here are 7 fun and easy ways to develop great relaxation habits:

1. Live in the present! Forget the past! Forget the Future!

2. Find a clean environment. Keep your space clean. Your room, your office, your desk, your car, you name it! Cleaning… we all have to do it, whether it’s spring cleaning or just your regular unload-the-dishwasher-for-the-fifth-time-today cleaning.  You’re not the only one who finds cleaning to be less than thrilling.

3. Meditate to detach yourself from the rest of the world. Rest is nature’s way of healing our body. As deep rest is an essential aspect of recovery and rejuvenation, meditation plays an important role in enlivening your inner healer.  Meditation has more benefits than most people realise. It lowers blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, reduces stress toxins in your body and brings peace, relaxation and happiness into everyday life.

4. Do one thing at a time! Doing just one thing at a time helps you remember more, get more done in less time, distress, bring more attention to your work, and work smarter, instead of just harder. It’s worth the struggle a hundred times over.

5. Give less attention to the views of others. We go through our days thinking about how other people might be judging us. But the truth is—those people are thinking the exact same thing. There is just enough time to think about what other people are thinking about you especially because they are probably not, focus on you and what you want to achieve. It will save you more time and reduce unnecessary distractions in your environment.

6. Make time for yourself. Start by putting yourself on your priority list. Often times we get everything else done but we forget to invest in our own well being. That investment may just be 30 seconds each day or spending the weekend doing something that really appeases you. Don’t be afraid to schedule some time to see a movie, go on a hike or simply meditate.

7. Change activities periodically. Now and then try out a new hobby or take a trip to a new site. Do what make you happy but also challenge yourself to new activities.

Use your phone for meditation apps. There are many free guided meditation apps, which you will find very useful. Choose your time of the day, your perfect place or even some friends. There are apps available for both iphone and androids, here is a list: Omvana, Take a Break, Calm, Smiling Mind and Mindbody Connect. Here are a few more meditation apps you can check out. 

Get a meditation cushion for comfort or a chair. It’s always best to sit upright when you are meditating, you may either use a chair or a cushion. A chair is more useful if you have back pain. A cushion can be used for comfort and to maintain posture, you may consider getting one.

Get Some Candles. One helpful strategy to help you get through your meditation is to gaze at the flame of a candle. At the same time, ‘candle gazing meditation’ can be a stand-alone meditation concept. Click here for guided instruction. 

Use peaceful pictures to your advantage. Have you ever seen an image that captures your imagination and enlightens you to a whole new world of its own? Images can be very powerful and they can channel your emotions from feelings of terror or grief to feelings of happiness and hope. Here are 21 Stunning Images you can meditate on.  

Use incense. Candles help to create a positive visual impact while incense appeals to the sense of smell. Incense is a facilitator of meditation and it conditions the mind so you can meditate successfully.

Have meditation pals. It could be a friend, a family member or a group of people with whom you feel comfortable hanging out with- get together and plan meditation sessions. You could do this when at the beach, maybe at work during your break or at school. It helps having people around, watch this video.

Commitment. Whether you meditate for ten minutes each day or longer, in order to get the best from your meditation it is advised that you maintain a consistent schedule over a period of time. It may take weeks or months but maintaining a healthy schedule, gives you the opportunity to master your skill. In addition, consistency is what lets meditation really seep into your mind and make a lasting impact.

Stop. When you are angry it’s easy for you to become explosive, do not fall into that snare, STOP! Admit to yourself that you are angry and do not act on your aggressive feelings.

Give yourself space. When you are angry, you tend to get very frustrated and stressed. Take some time out to relax – move away from the space or situation that may have triggered your anger. A good recommendation is to find a very quiet space to calm down.

Breathe. Breathing is a physical activity that can help you to release tension and stress. Take a few deep breaths before you approach the situation at hand. This will give you enough time to relax and generate positive energy.

Think. Before you say anything or take action, THINK about the situation, this will prevent you from saying or doing something that you will regret. Think about what is bothering you, how it has affected you and the positive outcomes that you expect from responding.

Solve. User humor, do not hold grudge, respect the rights and space of others, practice relaxation, sought reasonable solutions but most of all seek help if you need to. Talk to someone about how you feel.

Identify your fear. Identify the factors that make you fearful, this way you will not over analyze or generalize too much.

Adopt a Growth Mindset. See every experience as an opportunity for you to grow and to become stronger.

Say ‘YES’ Even If You Are Afraid. Take action by doing the things that you are afraid of doing.  Confronting your fear by saying ‘YES’ even in situations where you may feel helpless or lacking confidence, is a good way to get to see that some experiences are not as bad as it may seem at first.

Do Not See Yourself As a Victim. Be Open to change or failure.  Do not blame yourself or others. Life allows us to create our own destiny and experiences. While you learn, make choices, not excuses.

Love and Compliment Yourself. Believe in yourself and shun the negative voices that may be stopping you. You are fabulously unique just the way you are. Embrace your differences and make them into opportunities.

Stop Worrying. The time that you spend worrying, should instead be used for planning. Even though there may be a legitimate extent to which worrying is OK; worrying too much can make matters worse. Try not to worry about trivial things, things that you can’t change or things for which you have already come up with a solution. Give everything time to work out itself and do what you can, not what you think you ‘should’.

Exercise. Exercising provides a plethora of benefits: it can help you to relax, balance your hormones, sleep better and reduce stress. If your goal is control your anxiety, you should definitely be exercising.

Write. Keeping a journal can be a good way to monitor your thoughts, express yourself and reflect on how different things that you may have tried are working. You can keep as many journals as you want but having a journal for ONLY positive experiences and thoughts will help you to think about the positives, and another journal that ecompasses your complete thought process will help you to keep on track in managing your thoughts.

Talk. Talk therapy has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to controlling anxiety. Talk to someone who you trust about how you feel and this will help you to release the tension that you may be feeling inside.

Proceed in the right direction. The best thing to always remember is to be yourself and make choices based on your values. Do not feel intimidated by the factors in your environment that denigrates you, if you feel passionate about something, do it! And be proud regardless of the outcome.

Recognize the kind of guilt you have and its purpose. Whenever we feel guilt we are learning about a mistake that we may have made or we may have been placed in a situation that we believe may have been at the disadvantage of others. It is important that we identify what our guilt is and understand that guilt can help us to grow.

Make amends or changes sooner rather than later. As soon as you recognize your guilt, acknowledge it and make the right decisions that will help you deal with your guilt, it could involve changing your behaviour or reaching out to someone you think you may have hurt.

Accept you did something wrong, but move on. It may take some time before you actually acknowledge that you did something wrong but this is an important step if you want to make the right decision going forward. Feeling guilty however, does not always mean that you did something wrong, often times it may be a failure to acknowledge that there are some things that you cannot change.

Perfection doesn’t exist in anyone. The truth is, we all make mistakes, no one is perfect. Do not beat yourself down for something that happened in the past, learn from your mistake and move on.

Start a journal. Writing down how you feel, the things that you are guilty about and what you would like to change is a good way to deal with your guilt.

Get moving. Listen to music, exercise, walk, talk yourself through it, laugh it off, and try tea, these are some easy habits to adopt whenever you are feeling stressed. Calm music can has a positive effect on the mind, if classical music is not your thing, you can listen to sounds of nature or the ocean.

By talking yourself through it, you give yourself time to think and no, it’s not crazy to admit to yourself that you are stressed and to come up with reasonable solutions.
Laughter can be used as therapy to help you to relax and to feel better and drinking tea instead of coffee or energy drinks can leave a soothing effect on your nervous system.

Engage socially. Healthy relationships with friends, family members or just someone you trust is a good way to deal with stress. Whenever you are feeling stressed, don’t keep it all inside, talk to someone about; you will be surprised how quickly a minute or two of conversation can change how you feel. Also, you can help someone by volunteering or join a club or social group.

Avoid unnecessary stress. Rehashing a stressful situation, worst case scenario thinking, procrastination, being late, lurking or oversharing in social media, cluttering in your room or workspace and worrying about money that you have already spent, are factors that contribute to unnecessary stress. Identify and avoid these habits.

Accept the things you can’t change. No need to carry around a baggage, the things that may have happened to us or that we may have lost in our past, which we can’t change are not for us to worry about. Discarding the thoughts that gives you a heavy feeling is a good way to move on and relieve yourself of stress.
What can you learn from your difficulty? How has your difficulty made you a stronger person? These are two great questions to ask yourself as you accept whatever happened to you.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy can play a key role in how you manage stress, the healthier you are, the easier it will be for you to manage stress. Eat a healthy breakfast at the start of you day and choose nutritious meals throughout the day. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.

Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs may provide a temporary relief from stress. You don’t want to avoid the issue, you want to approach it heads on and with a clear mind.
And lastly, be sure to get enough sleep.

Once you have enough money and stability to consider your next move, that move might be to an apartment on your own. Moving out on your own can be scary, intimidating, and downright difficult. If you know what you are looking for and know what questions to ask, the entire process will be much easier for you. Here are a tips to help guide you in the right direction toward finding a safe and affordable place to live.

Start your search. There are several places you can look when you are ready to move into a place of your own. Search websites like:

craigslist.com
apartments.com
rent.com
zumper.com
padmapper.com

The first step of course is creating a resume and a cover letter (if you do not have any work experience, don’t worry about that too much).

A resume is short and simple summary of your skills, abilities, and accomplishments in regards to your work history. It is basically a quick advertisement of who you are. It’s what you’ll use to market yourself to potential employers.

Here are a few GREAT tips for writing a resume.

You’ll get better at the process over time and after a few jobs, this entire process will be a breeze! Just remember, DO NOT LIE about your skills and abilities. More times than not, you’ll be put on the spot and not being able to “back it up” won’t look so good.

A cover letter is a one pager (like your resume) that will give the employer an idea about who you are and what skills you have that are fit for the job. You should always include it UNLESS an employer states otherwise.

Your cover letter should include:

• Your name & contact details
• Their name & contact details
• The name of the job you’re applying for
• List of your relevant skills & why you’re fit for the job
• Reminder for them to look at your resume and to contact you!

Here are some more tips for writing a cover letter.

If you have no work experience, don’t worry- you can still write one. Just remember to list your general skills, overall strengths, other types of experiences, volunteer jobs,  and hobbies that are relevant. Be confident and make sure to let them know that you are, in fact, a team player! 

Click here to find a sample cover letter.

Finding a job can be a little challenging. There are tons of opportunities out there… just make sure you put in some time and effort to find them and apply for them. Don’t forget to use your personal connections– people love to help (“your network is your net worth!”). See who you know that can help connect you to the right people or company.

Consider internships to build experience as well! Internships are usually the key that opens the door. People get to know you, start to like you, and will potentially hire you. It’s also a great way to build your resume and get some skills under your belt.

You may be looking for something that meets your interests or you may just be in it for the money. Regardless, there are tons of organizations and websites that are willing to help you sort through that & help guide your search.

• Novoresume
• Career Builder
• Indeed
• Idealist
• Simply Hired

Do not waste all of your time applying for jobs and sending your resume to tons of employers on these websites… they’ll just get swept into what is known as the “black hole” of online postings and you’ll never hear from anyone.

Instead, use the websites to help you get leads on who’s hiring and where to start. Use the internet as an opportunity to network, to research potential employers and to get job advice!

If you’re under 16, you’ll need working papers (certificate of age or an employment certificate issued by the State Board of Education).

You can find that here. Follow the checklist.

Once complete, visit your nearest public high school in your town, or contact your Superintendent of Schools! From there, you’ll be authorized to work!

Making the first impression to a potential employer isn’t as scary as it seems. Just wear something  business appropriate, know your resume, and practice answering a few questions that are most likely going to be asked. A good tip is to prepare or practice your interview beforehand. Think about the position and what questions they might ask you and prepare some answers that you can have ready. There will always be questions you won’t expect, but at least you’ll have some ideas.

Consider these 6 Tips

1. ARRIVE ON TIME
2. Be Yourself – It’s easy to tell when someone is trying to impress their employer. Don’t do too much. Employers can smell the BS as soon as it hits the door. You may exaggerate your attributes but don’t lie, be cocky, or extra.
3. Dress for Success- A nice, conservative blouse and a skirt/or slacks or a button down dress shirt, tie and dress pants will do the job. Nothing too over the top and nothing too chill.
4. Research the Potential Company – Know a little something about the company. Don’t go in there reciting their history but know what you’re getting into and what type of company they are. Employers appreciate it.
5. Prepare Questions! When they ask you at the end of the interview if you have any questions for them, don’t sit there and look stupid! Make sure you have at least 3 questions that you can ask in case they answer one during the interview. These questions can be more about the position, about the company, or just clarifying. 
6. Follow up- After the interview, make sure to send out a “Thank You” Letter. This reminds employers who you are and keeps you fresh in their minds, plus it doesn’t hurt to look like you care. You always want to keep a lasting impression.

Getting a job is the easy part… it’s the keeping it that makes it a little more difficult.

You found the job but don’t really know what to expect or what to do to keep it.

Here’s 5 Tips to Keeping the Job

1.     Be ON Time: In the world of business, time is essential. The key to success is keeping your word and showing up when you say you are. If you’re gonna be late, let someone know!
2.     Do your work and do it WELL- Get your work done, it’s that simple. Every task, every assignment…complete it. It is always good to have something to show for the time you have spent.
3.     Be a TEAM PLAYER – Be sure to pitch in to help when you can and volunteer for even the undesirable tasks (it’s an easy way to win favor with your boss!).

Also: Don’t gossip! You don’t know who may hear. You won’t love everyone at work but the key component to a successful business is the collective effort of all the employees. Try to avoid ever saying “that’s not my job”. Make it work.

4.     FOLLOW THE RULES- You won’t agree with every rule but for the time that you’re working, just stick to the code. In this case, rules are not made to be broken.
5.     Show a POSITIVE attitude – Even if you’re acting, save face and smile. No one will want you to work for them if you act miserable and mope around!

Now everyone has their own style, their own flavor and their own idea of what “work appropriate” may be. Your employer will have their own idea but for the most part, there are definitely some “do’s and don’ts” that we can mostly agree on. Depending on where you work, some things just won’t work!

More ideas for men.
More ideas for women.

If your wardrobe isn’t work ready, don’t worry! There are tons of ways to spice it up. Here are some recommendations. 

If money is an issue, don’t sweat it! Thrifting is another awesome option! You can snag an entire work wardrobe for $25-50 at your local consignment or thrift store!

In this day & age, social media means a lot to us… to some, it’s everything. Just be very conscious of the things that you say and post to your feed. There are always eyes watching!

Here are some DOs and DON’Ts of Social Media via Stewardship.com:

DON’T:
Don’t be fake.
Don’t share sadness.
Don’t believe everything you read.
Don’t avoid other tasks.
Don’t be a know-it-all.

DO:
Do be selective.
Do model good behavior.
Do promote your work.
Do practice positivity.
Do move toward face-to-face interaction.

Face it, as much as we’d like to believe that we can get along with everyone and want to believe that everyone will be “our type of person” in the workplace, that’s just not always the case. Be prepared to suck it up and make it work. Find peace with everyone and keep it strictly business.

Here’s how to deal with an annoying coworker.

The social dynamics can be quite challenging, especially if your job has many different personalities and age groups. Sometimes getting the building veterans (people who have been there for quite some time) and older folks to like you can be a struggle. Here’s some tips for working with older coworkers. 

Start with a plan. A very basic step-by-step plan is going to benefit you if you have no idea how to get ahold of your finances.

Within your plan, you will want to select a bank that you trust to keep your money safe. You will want to choose a bank that has services that will work to your benefit. Some of these services include: ATM access, checks, an online service, an app, etc. When selecting your bank, make sure you discuss with either a manager at the location or a customer service representative to review all of the important things you will need to know when opening an account. Ask lots of questions. It’s their job to answer them!

Once you have decided on which bank you’d like to open an account with, then you can begin to create your budget plan. Your budget plan can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.

Here are some steps you can take toward creating a budget plan that is “you”-friendly.

Calculate your income.Where is your money coming from? How many different incomes are you collecting? Do you get paid weekly or bi-weekly? Calculate about how much you make in one year.

Keep track of your spending. For one month, make a list of everything you spend money on. This way, you’ll be able to see which items are necessary (food, bills, clothes, etc.) and which items you can survive without. You can keep track of your spending habits with a simple notebook, pen, and paper, or you can download an app that will help you to keep track of your habits.

Group your expenses. Your groups may look something like this: rent, bills, food, clothes, gas, entertainment (Netflix, movies, going out to eat, getting your nails done, etc.), and savings.

Decide on some goals. Are you spending way too much money on clothes and shoes, and not nearly enough money on food? Are you not able to make rent each month because you’re over-spending in another area?

In a new plan, calculate an amount of money that you need to set aside to spend on rent, food, bills (the necessities). From there, with the remainder of your monthly income, you can divide that how you wish, among the other categories you have created.

Keep your budget plan updated. Check in monthly. Make sure you are truly spending just what you need to spend, and saving some, too.

Really think to yourself: Do I need this item? Unless you truly need something, you shouldn’t buy it if you don’t have to. You are guaranteed to save money if you are not always spending it. Never purchase expensive items on impulse. After saving money and giving thought to everything you want to buy, you may even realize you don’t want it and you’ll be happy you didn’t buy it. Think over each expensive purchase for at least 24 hours. Acting on this principle will mean you have far fewer regrets about impulse purchases, and far more money for emergency savings.

Groupon and Retailmenot are great shopping options if you are looking to save money. Everyday there are new coupons and deals on items that you may want and even need.

(Groupon) 

• Groupon is a deal-of-the-day recommendation service for consumers. Every 24 hours, Groupon broadcasts an electronic coupon for a restaurant or store in your city, recommending that local service while also offering you a 40% to 60% discount if you purchase that service. 

(Retailmenot)

• 500,000+ Coupons for 50,000 Stores

Here’s a short video giving you some helpful saving tips.

When you see all the money you’ve saved up, you should be happy as well as proud of yourself. It’s not easy to follow all of these tips. Now what are you waiting for, go out there and save some money! Remember, having a lot of money doesn’t guarantee happiness. Whatever you make out of your riches will determine your happiness.

College Tuition

College tuition is expensive! Do yourself a favor and apply for as many scholarships as you can. Even if the reward isn’t what you are looking for, it will definitely help.  

6 great ways to save money in college

1. Buy or rent used textbooks. New textbooks are expensive and you may even be lucky enough to see previous owners notes. Also, don’t forget to sell last semester’s books back.
2. Limit the number of times you eat out monthly. If you are on a meal plan, use that as many times as you can. Don’t buy the most expensive college meal plans. Figure out what you actually consume and get the correlating package.
3. Walk, use public transportation or ride a bike instead of having a car. Owning a car is expensive because of things like gas, and let alone getting in an accident or something.
4. Shop where they offer student discounts. There are plenty of  places that offer discounts to students.
5. If you workout, look into a campus gym instead of a gym in town. Many colleges propose memberships for free or at a lower rate for students.
6. If you don’t mind the responsibility, try to become a resident advisor. Many get free room and board.

Here’s another list of tips for college students. If 6 tips aren’t enough, here’s 24!

7 Tips for managing money out of college

1. If work benefits are important for you, find a job that invests in its employees. I know it is very early, but start planning your retirement. Some employers may even put a percentage of your salary into a retirement fund.
2. If living back at home is not an option for you, share a cheap apartment with some friends. Rooming together will help you out tremendously when the time comes to pay the bills, buy groceries, etc.
3. Walk or bike whenever you can.
4. If you are looking for a car, look for a used car that was treated well by the previous owners. Look at the carfax and base your decisions off that.
5. Build up a good credit history. You will raise your financial grade if you pay all of your bills on time. You don’t want to max out your credit card each month, anyways since you will be saving money you shouldn’t have to worry about maxing it out.
6. Start an emergency fund. You never know what could happen, and it’s always in your best interest to have some extra money if you need it.
7. Your salary doesn’t necessarily determine how you can spend or save your money. It all depends on how you manage it.

A money challenge is an incremental savings plan that will help you save money throughout the year. There is no better way of saving money than trying a money challenge. For example, following this one year challenge will save you $1,378! Also, you don’t have to follow the challenges exactly, you can add a little more or less money to fit your own wants. There are many other challenges out there if you don’t want to wait a year.

Ask questions. Make sure to ask all questions you may have about your medications. You want to be aware of all of the effects that your medications may have on your body. In addition, talk to your doctor about other prescriptions that you are taking that he/she may not have prescribed. You want to know how each medication will interact with the other medications you are taking.

• What is the name of the medicine?
• Why am I taking this medicine?
• When and how often should I take the medicine? As needed, or on a schedule?
• Can I crush my pills?
• How long will I have to take it?
• Are there any foods that I should not drink or eat?
• Can I drink alcohol when taking this medicine? How much?
• Is it OK to eat or drink food before or after I take the medicine?
• If I forget to take it, what should I do?
• What should I do if I feel I want to stop taking this medicine? Is it safe to just stop?

“Make sure to ask questions. When I was starting to take medication, it was really important to learn what I can and can not consume while on it.”

There are plenty of other questions that you may have, and you want to make sure that you are getting the best results from the medication. In order to do so, you need to spend time learning about your meds.

MAKE SURE TO SAVE YOUR INFORMATION

Save any and all information that you are given regarding your medication. Keep the information in a safe place, such as a file cabinet or a file box that cannot be ruined. Organize information in alphabetical order, that way it will be easy for you to find what you are looking for.

RESEARCH!

Hey, no one says you can’t trust the information from your doctor. Well of course you can, but the more information you have the better it can be for you. What you have to be careful of though, is where you get your information and how you use it. There are hundreds of sites with tons of information. Some good. Some bad. So you have to find good sources. Here are some good sites:

• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – Resources for Families
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)​– Websites for Kids and Teens
• KidsHealth.org
• Teen Health  

Follow Instructions…

It’s easy to forget where, when, how and how much meds you must take and it’s easy to just not care. After a while, it can become too much. The routine gets tedious and you fall back on taking your meds. That’s not good. You have to keep up and you have to follow your doctor’s advice.

Avoid common mistakes…

• Finish all of the medication, even if you start to feel better.
• Keep taking the medication, even if you don’t notice an improvement in your symptoms right away.
• Contact your health care team if you start to feel worse while taking a medication or notice new symptoms.
• Stay on Schedule
• Read the entire medication label on the container to make sure you are taking the correct dosage.
• Take your pills at the same time every day, such as first thing in the morning or with lunch.
• Ask family members or friends to remind you.
• Ask your doctor what to do if you miss or skip a dose.
• Use a chart, pill calendar, or your phone’s calendar reminders to set a schedule and track when you take your medication.

“I fill my pill box every Sunday and then I am set for the week. It makes everything so easy as I take what is in the individual box for the day and then I’m all set. I felt like a grandma at first, but this little box has made my life so much more manageable.” Ann.

Things to Remember…

Making sure you eat with your medication is super important. Depending on the med, an empty stomach might make you feel not so hot.

Avoid drug interactions…

• Fill all of your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. That way your pharmacist can keep a complete list of the medications you take and alert you to possible drug interactions.
• Ask your pharmacist to use easy-to-read, color-coded labels to make taking your medication easier.

Make a spreadsheet…
Create a spreadsheet to keep track of your medications. You can do this via Microsoft Excel, or you can create a spreadsheet by hand. Some of the sections should be:

• Name of medication (brand name or generic name)
• Dosage (how much you take and what time of the day you take it)
• Doctor prescribing the medication (include your doctor’s name and contact information, for easy access if you are in need of a refill or have a question)
• The purpose of the medication (why you are taking it)
• Any additional comments (things you might forget about the medication you are taking or anything you might want to remind yourself about the medication)

Set an Alarm on Your Phone…
Sometimes it’s really easy to get caught up when you’re in a rush or have a lot of things going on, leaving you to forget to take your meds; whether that means taking it at the wrong time or even forgetting to take it at all. An easy way to remind yourself is to set an alarm on your phone for the time everyday you have to take it. DON’T PRESS SNOOZE!! Just simply take your meds when the alarm goes off and then you are done!!

Get a pill box
Find a pill box at your local pharmacy that best suits your needs. Some pill boxes will simply hold small pills in one small slot for each day. On the other hand, some pill boxes are more complex, and will allow you to store a larger amount of pills in several different sub-sections. Most pill boxes will hold all of your medication for an entire week.

Use technology as an aid

There are several apps you can download via Apple or Android to help you keep track of your medications.

Here are a few helpful apps that are made to help you keep track of your medication:

Round Health 

Pill & Med Reminder – MediSafe

Pill Reminder – All in One

Medicine Scheduler and Tracker

Pill Monitor: Drug Minder

Be clear and specific….

Here is the good part….you get to tell the doctor everything. This time you have control of the mic. You know more than the doctor and the doctor wants to hear it. So, it’s up to you to get all that you have on your mind off and in the right way.

If the medications are not giving you the results that you expected, the doctor needs to know. If you are having any side effects, the doctor needs to know. If you keep forgetting to take your meds, the doctor needs to know. Even if you don’t want to take your meds anymore and want to try something else, the doctor needs to know.   

No one can help you 100% if you are not being completely honest about how your meds are working.

Let’s be honest… this stuff can be hard and might be overwhelming. But you got this. Admitting that you have no idea what you are doing is normal! When you don’t have the answer, ask someone. Your doctor/psychiatrist, therapist/social worker, and people on TurningPointCT.org will be there too!

Get Better…

If you stick to the plan, you will be OK. Just remember the simple rules: ask, research, follow instructions, be clear and concise, and GET BETTER!

Like mentioned before, it’s time to get educated on birth control. Not sure which is the right kind for you, talk to your OBGYN!!** They have all the answers, all you have to do is ask. Want to know more about your options on your own too? Check out this interactive chart that describes and compares different forms of contraceptives.

**What’s an OBGYN? A commonly used abbreviation. OB is short for obstetrics or for an obstetrician, a physician who delivers babies. GYN is short for gynecology or for a gynecologist, a physician who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs. [Definition from Medicinenet.com]

It’s really important that you and your partner are annually tested– for everything. When there is so much going on sometimes this goes on the back burner, but it is vital that you stay in check with your body, in case something is wrong. As some of us, as well as our partners, are former or current drug users we would be more at risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and other diseases; some of which you could have for the rest of your life!

Nervous about getting tested and don’t know what to expect? Click here to learn about everything there is to know about getting tested!

Are you a guy and want to know more about the importance of getting tested, for yourself and your partner? Check out this article that lays out why it’s so vital.

Getting tested applies to EVERYONE! Things women need to remember about having safe sex with other women.

This is probably the number one most important thing about sex ed. Until there is consent and your partner says that they want to do whatever you are feeling, then it’s a red light. Once you have that clear and continuous consent, only then does that light turn green! Respect your partner and their boundaries, no matter what! REMEMBER, if your potential sexual partner is very intoxicated, they are not able to give consent.

Here’s a celebrity filled, hilarious PSA for sex ed from video from John Oliver that covers all the bases. 

The Bus:

Public transportation can be a great way to get around if you are on a bus line, are going between towns, or need an affordable way to travel.

It might be harder if you are in a rural area with few buses, are far from a bus stop, or your bus or train line runs infrequently.

Sometimes there can be plenty of buses where you live, but it doesn’t go where you need to go. If this happens, you can use a trip-planning tool to help you figure out your options.

Not sure how to take the bus?

“I grew up in a really small town with no public transportation. When I first moved to New Haven I had no way to get around. Learning how to use the bus was really intimidating, but my case manager from YAS (Young Adult Services) stuck by me and helped me learn how to get around without a car, now I can get anywhere I need.”

If you have a disability, you might be eligible for Travel Training, a program that will help teach you how to use public transportation, and will stick with you until you are comfortable enough to do it alone. For more information on Travel Training click here.

Where do I go to catch the bus?

Finding a bus stop seems simple enough, but sometimes it can be confusing. Here are some tips:

• If you live in a big city, chances are that your bus stops are mostly easy to spot. They might have a bench, glass enclosure, a big schedule, or have signs that read “bus stop”.
• Many bus stops are only identified by a sign that reads “bus stop”. Beware of hidden and knocked over signs!
• A bus hub is one location where all of the buses stop at. If you wait at a bus hub long enough, you will see each bus that runs in your town.
• If you get on your bus, and you don’t know whether it’s the right one, ask the driver!
• Plan your trip so you know exactly which bus to take

Plan your route:

Planning your trip will help you find out exactly what street to go to to wait for your bus, exactly which bus you will need to take, and where to get off. If you need to take more than one bus while traveling, trip-planning is super helpful. Here are some useful tools:

• CT Transit’s Trip Planner: Click here to use Trip Planner.
• Google Maps Transit: Click here for Google Maps Transit.
• CT Travel Smart Trip Planner: Click here.
• Transit (free app): Click here to download.
• Citymapper (another free app): Click here to download. 

Buying tickets:

There are tons of ways to buy a ticket, here are your options:

1. You can buy passes online here.
2.  You can always pay for your ride on the bus in cash, but you will want to have exact change (the machine won’t give you change back).
3. If you are at a bus hub (the main bus stop) during business hours, many have a place to purchase passes, including monthly and 10-day passes.
4. If your bus still takes tokens, you will find a machine at your hub that you can buy them at.
5. Stop n Shop sells CT Transit bus passes and tickets. Find out which ones you can buy from here.
6. CT Transit now has a Go CT Card. This is a refillable pass, that you can purchase and refill and CVS and 7-Eleven. See which stores near you have them here.

What about free or discounted rides?

• If you are a college student, see if your school offers a U-Pass. A U-Pass will take you anywhere in Connecticut, by train or bus for FREE! Contact your schools’ Bursar’s office to find out more.
• The next option is for disabled riders. Disabled riders are eligible for half-fare. You can show your Medicare ID to your bus driver and let them know you need half fare. You can also get a reduced fare transit photo ID card. To read more, and apply for one click here. 
• If you get services from DHMAS (Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) or YAS (Young Adult Services) and you need a bus pass to get to your appointments, ask your therapist, psychiatrist or case manager about getting a monthly bus pass from your insurance. Some DHMAS and YAS young adults can get a free 31 day bus pass every month from their insurance.

Taking a bicycle on a bus

If you bike around town, but need to hop on the bus no worries! Whether you are taking CT Transit or a smaller town bus, you will almost always find a bike rack on the front of the bus.

Not sure how to use it? Don’t be intimidated! It takes three steps, and there are directions on the rack.

“Whenever I’m biking and I get tired, it’s starts to rain, or I’m running late I always hop on the bus and stick my bike on the front rack. It’s a great way to give my legs a break.”

Bike rack on the front of a CT Transit bus

The Train:

If you live somewhere that doesn’t have a big bus system, are going somewhere the bus doesn’t go, or are traveling out of your town, the train might be your fastest, or only, public transportation travel option.

There are times the train and bus are both options, like traveling from New Haven to Hartford. This is when you decide based on cost, time, and comfort level. Usually the train is faster but can be more expensive.

If you need to get around more locally, or live in a town with one train station that’s far away from you with trains that don’t run frequently, it might not be your best option.

“I love taking the train. I am disabled and a student, so I use my U-Pass and ride for free. When I am leaving CT, I use my Medicare card for half fare. I think the train is relaxing.”

What train do I take?

Depending on where you’re going, and where you are coming from you may need to take a

• MTA (New Haven line, Grand Central line, Waterbury line, New Canaan, and Danbury line)
• CT Rail (which includes the Hartford Rail and Shoreline east)
• Amtrak

Large train stations will have more than one type of train to take. Union Station in New Haven has Amtrak, Metro North, and CT rail (Shoreline East and Hartford Rail) trains. This is when it’s important to know what line you need to take. Don’t stress, though- it’s easy to find out what train you need to take, and big train stations have a lot of people who work there and can answer your questions.

You can always go up to the ticket window or information desk (if your train station has one) to ask someone for help.

Just like taking the bus, planning your trip will help you figure out how to get where you need to go.

Planning my trip

Taking the train can be really convenient and easy, but getting on the wrong train can be a pain. It helps to know what train you are taking and where you’re getting off before you board.

At most train stations you should find at least one of these:

• Paper schedules
• Computer screens with train schedules
• Ticket windows or Information desks

Planning at home can be a lot more helpful and keep you calm and confident when boarding a train. Here are some options for planning your train ride:

• Google Maps Transit. Click here for Google Maps Transit.
• CT Travel Smart Trip Planner. Click here.
• Transit (free app). Click here to download.
• Citymapper (another free app). Click here to download. 
• MTA schedule. Click here.  Or call: (877) 690-5114
• Hartford Line Trip Planner. Click here. Or call: 1-877-287-4337
• Shore Line East Trip Planner. Click here. Or call: 1-877-287-4337
• Amtrak Trip Planner. Click here.

“Even though I take the train multiple times a week, I always take a second and plan my trip. I have Google Maps on my phone, and use it to make sure my train is coming when I think it is. If I need to take the bus when I get off the train, I want to know ahead of time so I know if I need to rush to the bus stop.”

Buying your ticket

Generally speaking, taking the train usually costs more than taking the bus. This isn’t always true, and sometime the costs are identical. But taking a long train ride will be more expensive than a $1.75 bus ride.

If you are taking a MTA here are your options:

• Ticket machines on platforms or in train stations
• Ticket windows in some train stations
• MTA eTix (an app). Find out more here
• Buy a ticket on board (hint: do not do this unless you are disabled, regular fare is increased on board!)

If you are taking a CT Rail:

• Ticket machines (you can also use some MTA machines to purchase CT rail tickets)
• Ticket windows in some train stations
• Buy a ticket on board (hint: do not do this unless you are disabled, regular fare is increased on board!)

Peak vs Off-Peak

If you are taking a MTA train during business rush hours on a weekday you want to know what a peak train is.

How do I know if my train is peak?

• Is it going towards Grand Central Station? (New York City)
• Is it running on a weekday?
• Is it between the hours of 6:00-10:00 A.M.?

OR

• Is it going towards New Haven Union Station? (New Haven, CT)
• Is it running on a weekday?
• Is it between the hours of 4:00-8:00 P.M.?

If you answered yes to all three bullets, then you are taking a peak train!

What does that mean? A peak train costs more and is usually crowded, because it’s taking commuters to or from work.

All other trains are considered off-peak and you will be charged regular fare and have better luck finding a seat!

Discounted or free rides:

Disabled Riders:

Just like on a bus, disabled riders are eligible for reduced fare. Here’s what to know:

• For the MTA you can apply for a photo ID to use for discounts. Learn more and apply here.
• For CT Rail you can use multiple types of ID for a discounted rate. Learn more here.
• You can use your Medicare ID

Student Riders:

If you are a college student you can also use your U-Pass on trains in Connecticut. Here what  you need to know about U-Pass:

• If you are a college student, see if your school offers a U-Pass. A U-Pass will take you anywhere in Connecticut, by train or bus for FREE! Contact your schools’ Bursar’s office to find out more. You can also learn more here.

If you are in grade school or high school you can ride for a discounted rate. Find out more here:

• MTA student rate, click here
• CT Rail student rate, click here (Ticket types> Monthly tickets (calendar month))

Military Discounts:

If you are in the Military you can also get a Military discount on tickets. MTA offers 25% off.

Riding with children:

Children up to 12 can either ride for free or with a discount on both MTA and CT Rail.

Multiple ride passes:

You can also buy passes with multiple rides and save up to 50%, this is especially good if you are a daily rider. Find out more for MTA here or CT Rail here

Bringing a Bike on Board

You can bring your bike on board most trains.

The one exception is MTA peak trains, where you can only bring a folding bicycle on board.

Some conductors will ask for a bike pass, which is a pass that you can purchase for five dollars at the station or online, you only need to purchase the pass once and then carry it with you when you bring your bike on board a train.

If you bring your bike on board, look for a bicycle sticker outside the train-car, these cars will have a bike rack in the disabled seating area.

Cars

Getting around by a car can be the most convenient option. Public transportation can require some patience, be uncomfortable, and take more planning. It can also be tricky to lug a lot of bags, groceries, or suitcases without a car.

However, whether you are interested in getting your own car, taking a Uber, Lyft or a taxi, or you are paying a friend for a ride cars are more expensive. The further you need to go, the more it costs. And if you want to own a car you have to consider insurance, gas, maintenance and taxes.

Overwhelmed? Don’t be, buckle up and read on to see the break down of getting around in a car and find out if it’s the right choice for you!

Driving your own Car

Getting a License or Permit

Learning how to drive and becoming a legal driver are both big steps. Even if you don’t plan on buying a car, having a license can give you more freedoms and more job opportunities.

Here’s the breakdown on driving…

Permit:

Whether or not you are over 18, a driver’s permit is always your first step if you are a first time driver. Find out what you need to know about getting learner’s permit.

• Go to the DMV website to make your test appointment and pay for your permit (it costs $60.00)
• Study for your test!
  • When you go to get your permit you will take a vision test (bring your glasses or contacts!) and a knowledge test
  • The test is a multiple choice taken on a computer
  • You can download an app to study and take practice tests, click here to download the app
  • You can download the CT Driver’s manual online here (this is helpful because the app doesn’t have all of the information you might see on the test)
• You will need to bring documents for your permit.
  • If you are over 18, check out this link to see what you will need, click here
  • If you are 16-17 check out what you and your guardian will need here.  Also you check out this page for even more information

“I am 23 and still don’t know how to drive or have a licence. This year I got my permit. Even though I don’t think I’ll buy a car yet, it feels really good to be taking steps toward independence. One tip: study with the manual and the app- my test had questions that I only knew because I studied the manual, too.” 

License:

Over 18?

• You must have your permit for at least 90 days
• You must do an 8 hour safe driving course (you will have to find one at a driving school near you, these usually cost around $100.00, you will need to bring proof of completing this class)
• You must schedule your driving test. For more info on how to schedule your driving test, click here.
  • If you don’t have a car, you can rent a car from a driving school.
• Even if you know how to drive, it might be helpful to take a few driving lessons, since they will teach you to pass the driver’s test and teach you the types of things you will be tested on. Find a driving school near you for driver’s ed classes and behind the wheel classes.
• If you need to find a driving school, the DMV website has a list of driving schools by town. Check it out here.

16-17?

• You must have your permit for at least 120 or 180 days (this depends on whether you go to a commercial driving school or do home-training)
• You must do an 8 hour safe driving course (you will have to find one at a driving school near you, these usually cost around $100.00, you will need to bring proof of completing this class)
• You have to do 30 hours classroom training (at a driver’s school or your high school) OR 22 hours home training
• 2 hours of training from your guardian
• 40 hours of practice driving
• You have two options for taking your test: DMV or driving school
• You will have a curfew and rules about who can be in your car. Check out this link for all restrictions on teen drivers.
• For more info check out this DMV page

Can I afford a car?

Learning to drive is one thing, but owning a car is another. On one hand, you can go where you want when you want- mostly. On the other hand, it’s a whole new responsibility- and a bunch of new expenses.

Here are some expenses you need to think about:

• Cost of buying a car
  • Check out Carfax to see how much that car you like might cost.
• Cost of insurance month to month (remember new drivers will pay higher rates).
  • Check out this link for more info on insurance costs.
• Cost of maintain and repairing a car.
  • Check out this link
  • And this one
  • Both will help you find out how much your car might cost you overall
  • And this link will show you what you need to do to maintain a car, and how much it costs
• Cost of gas.
  • Check out this cost calculator.
• Cost of taxes and registration.
  • Check out this link for registration costs in CT.

If this seems like too much, don’t stress. Plenty of people get around just fine without cars.

But if you think you can afford a car, and that you really want one, make a budget! Use the links to figure out how much a car will cost you. This will help you figure out if you can really afford it.

And remember, just because you get your license doesn’t mean you need to buy a car right away. There’s no problem with waiting for the right time for you!

Riding in Someone Else’s Car

If a car is the way you want to get around, but you don’t want to or can’t get your own- guess what? You can still get around in a car!

You don’t need to own a car or even have a licence to get around town in a car… at least not in someone else’s car!

Check out your options for getting around in a car, without the commitment or cost of owning or renting your own.

Peer-To-Peer Ridesharing

What  is “peer-to-peer-ridesharing”? Ever heard of Uber or Lyft? That’s what peer-to-peer ridesharing is.

The concept is similar to a taxi, in that you are paying for someone to drive you around in their vehicle. But with a taxi, you’re getting someone who works for a cab company, and the vehicle belongs to the cab company. Uber and Lyft work through apps. The drivers are “regular people”- in that they aren’t licensed taxi drivers, and they drive their own cars. Uber and Lyft are usually less expensive than taxis, and depending where you are, they can be easier and faster to access. 

• Check out this site, Ridester, to find out even more about Ridesharing, get promo codes, and use a fare calculator. You can even find out how to become a Uber or Lyft driver if you’re looking for some extra income.

If you are worried about safety, Uber and Lyft both have in-app features to make you safer. You can share your location with a loved one, make a report, or give reviews on your driver.

• Click here to download Uber
• Click here to download Lyft

“Uber and Lyft are really reliable ways for me to get home when the buses stop running.”

Taxi

Don’t want to download an app? Feeling nervous about using Uber or Lyft for the first time? No problem… taxis!

In Connecticut, hailing a cab usually involves a phone-call and a little wait. If you are at an airport, large train station or crowded downtown area you might find cabs waiting outside, ready to take you where you need to go. More often, though, you will call a local taxi company and tell the dispatcher when you need the cab, where you are getting picked up from, and where you are going.

The other nice part about taking a cab, is that you can pay with cash. Uber and Lyft require a credit card, debit card, or prepaid gift card.

Usually, a taxi will be a little more expensive than an Uber or Lyft, but you can always ask the dispatcher to give you a fare estimate and then compare it to the fare estimate on the Uber or Lyft app.

Driving Someone Else’s Car

Carsharing

Carsharing is a short-term car rental. It’s perfect for people who have licences and need or want to drive sometimes but don’t want, need, or can’t afford to own a car.

You can rent by the hour or by the day. You join the car sharing service you’re interested in, book you car and pick it up, and then drop it off at a designated parking spot. It’s pretty easy and simple and a great short-term solution to getting around in a car!

Check out Zipcar, and get started on their site!

Car Rental

Renting a car is a good option if you need a car for longer than a day, but don’t own one. If Zipcar isn’t available in your town, you can also rent a car for as little as a day. Renting a car can also be really expensive- especially if you are going to need it for a long time.

Check out Kayak.com to compare car rental prices.

Vroom vroom. Now you know all there is to know about getting around in a car! 

Biking From Here to There

Don’t want to use public transportation or a car?

You can bike!

Biking is fast, fun, and good for you.

“When I need to get around, if I’m not using the train I use my bike. I love to bike because it’s fun, but I also love the sense of freedom I get from being able to go where I need on my terms- without waiting for a bus or asking a friend for a ride”

Here’s what you need to know about biking for travel:

Where do I get a bike?

If you cannot afford a bike, no problem! There are a bunch of organizations in CT that will help you out with a free bike!! Check these out: click here or click here 

If you go to therapy at any Connecticut Mental Health Clinic, are in YAS (Young Adult Services), you can ask your therapist or case manager for help getting a free bike.

How Can I be Safe?

When you are biking, you have rights and responsibilities. Think of yourself as a vehicle, because you are.

Follow this link to read a quick overview on Connecticut bike laws, click here 

The most important safety tips to remember is to remember: wear a helmet!

74% of bike deaths involve head injury. Up to 85% of bicycle-related head injuries can be prevented with a helmet. You can find a cool-looking one or decorate it with stickers or reflective tape. And, if you’re under 16 by law you have to use a helmet.

Second, make sure that you are always visible. Never assume that a car can see you or expects to share the road with you.

For tips on avoiding road hazards click here.

How do I Know My Route?

If there are no bike lanes where you live, that’s ok. If you map out your route before you leave, you will be able to prepare for your trip.

Click here and here for CT bike trails

For directions, you can use google maps bike routes here

And, you can always take your bike on the train or bus. Some trains don’t let bikes on during certain hours of the day (rush hour) depending on where you are going.

Can I Bike With My Kids?

If you are going to bike with your child, you either need a trailer or a bike seat.

If you are traveling with two kids, then a trailer is a good way to go. If you are traveling with one, then a good bike seat is a great investment. Rear mounted seats are safer options.

Don’t forget the helmet! Your child will also need one, as well as reflective gear.

You will also want to take extra care to plan your trip. If it will be cold or wet, layer them up. In the winter, keep trips under 30 minutes when you can.

“My daughter has been riding around with me since she was 15 months old. She loves going for bike rides, and it lets us go to her doctor, daycare, and parks much faster and easier. Usually, the ride puts her to sleep. I love riding with her!” 

 

The most important thing to remember when biking is, have fun!!

Getting Home While Intoxicated

If you are drunk or high, getting home can be confusing. You might be tempted to do something unsafe because you are tired or out of it. You might be too messed up to think about the choices you’re making.

But, there are tons of ways to get home safely if you are drunk or high.

Knowing your options can ensure your safety, but also save your life. The best thing for you to do if you know you might be getting drunk or high is to plan ahead.

How do you plan ahead? Your best bet is knowing your options, and figuring out two or three that work for you.

“When I was using, I did a lot of scary things- especially when I was tired and wanted to go home. Looking back, I am so grateful I’m still here. Now, I am glad that I know how to take care of myself while drunk or high- I just wish I knew then, too.”

8 options for getting home safe, and more info about them:

1. Designated driver: a designated driver is someone who will be totally sober who can drive you home.
   • Know who your designated driver is. If they are going out with you, make sure you trust them enough to be sober behind the wheel.
   • If they are a friend of family member who can come from home to pick you up, make sure they are ok with it before you go out.
   • Always have a plan B, you need to be prepared if your DD (designated driver) falls through in some way.
2. Taxi: A taxi is another safe way to get home when you are intoxicated.
   • Plan ahead by having local cab numbers saved in your phone, make sure they are easy to find.
   • Know what time your local cab companies stop running, many are closed during certain hours.
   • Make sure you have cash to pay the driver. If you have to pay with a card, make sure that the cab company takes cards.
   • Have a plan B, always!
3. Uber or Lyft: Both of these are great, reliable ways to get a safe ride during any time of day or night.
   • Great alternative if you local cab company is closed.
   • Might be less expensive than a cab, or it might be more if there is a surge (an increase of cost based on time of day or holiday- for example: 1 am on New Years Eve).
   • Make sure the app is already downloaded onto your phone, logged on, and has a card saved. You won’t want to do this stuff when you’re messed up.
   • Have a plan B!
   • Click here to check out Uber and click here for Lyft
   • “Whenever I go out with friends and I know I’ll be drinking, we get dropped off and then Uber home. I know that it will always be available to me, and I always get really nice drivers. Plus, we split the cost so it’s always affordable.”
4. Designated Driver Services: This is a great option if you own a car, and drive somewhere sober but leave intoxicated and need to get you and your car home.
   • Leaving your car parked overnight can be a bad option for a lot of reasons, a designated driver service will get both you and your car home safe.
   • Usually takes planning ahead. If you know you will need something like this you will need to know the cost, wait-time, and availability of the service in your area.
   • Be prepared and know what service you will use. Have the number saved in your phone.
   • Some designated driving services are free, but run during limited hours or days.
   • Connecticut is one of only three states in America with Designated Driving services in every county.
   • Check out the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS) and select your state and county to find the designated driver services available to you.
   • Always have a plan B!
     
5. I’m Drunk app: A free app designed to help you get home safely in a very simple and easy way. This is great if you are too intoxicated to navigate your phone contacts or other apps.Finds your locations and gives you easy to assess options to get home safely.
   • Very easy to use.
   • Great way to plan ahead for a night out, and provides you with multiple options.
   • Click here for more information and a download link.
6. SaferRide app: Another free app, similar to I’m Drunk.
   • Designed to use when you aren’t able to use other options because they are too difficult to navigate.
   • Free, simple and easy to use.
   • Click here for more information and download links.
   • Great way to plan ahead for a night out, and provides you with multiple options.
7. Public Transportation: Might be a good option, and will save you money- but may not be a safe choice if you are really intoxicated.
   • Might be unsafe to use if you are too intoxicated.
     • Walking to bus stop or train and waiting for either could be risky.
     • You are at risk if you are waiting in an unlit area.
     • If your coordination or vision is off, you are at risk of tripping and falling into the road or onto train tracks.
     • You could fall asleep while en route and get lost.
   • Depending on the time of day, it may not even be an option.
   • Always have a plan B!
8. Walk: Walking if not usually a safe option if you are intoxicated. In order for walking to be safe, you need to be able to walk steadily, be aware of traffic and oncoming cars, and not ignore crosswalks or green lights. If you are too drunk to drive, you’re most likely too drunk to walk. If you are sober enough to walk, follow these precautions to stay safe:
   • Only walk if you are with a group of people. Never walk alone while you are drunk or high. Your safety is at risk for many reasons if you do this.
     • You could be the victim of a crime.
     • You could get hit by a car if you trip and fall, or don’t follow stop lights or signs.
     • You could get lost.
   • If you are so drunk or high that you cannot walk steadily or without tripping then walking home is not safe. You’re at huge risk of getting hit by a car if you’re drunk. Don’t walk if:
     • Your vision is blurry or off in any way.
     • You are extremely tired.
     • You can’t walk steadily.
     • You are too messed up to be aware of cars, lights, or signs.
   • Only walk if you will be in well-lit areas the entire time
   • Do not walk if you need to cross busy intersections or walk near highway or busy roads with a lot of traffic.
   • Make sure your know your way home.

Always know, that driving while drunk or high will never be your only option. You don’t need to risk your life or anyone else’s to get somewhere safe.

What if I’m Disabled or Low-Income?

If you live with a disability, getting around can be really daunting. Whatever your disability is, there are options out there to make getting accessible, affordable and easy for you to use. If you have a low income or live in poverty, it can feel really overwhelming or even scary to not know how to pay for your basic needs, like transportation. Read on to learn more.

What if I can’t afford the bus?

If you live with a disability and can’t work, paying for transportation might be really difficult, or at times impossible. Here are some options to make paying for transportation easier:

• Free bus pass: If you are in DMHAS (Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) or YAS (Young Adult Services) then you may be eligible for a free 31 day bus pass. The purpose of the pass may be to get you to and from your therapy appointments, but you can use it for all your transportation needs, too!
  • Ask your therapist, psychiatrist, or case manager about getting a bus pass, they are the ones who will need to help you with this.
  • If you aren’t eligible, see if they can help you with bus fare or transportation, at least for your appointments
• Reduced Fare: If you have a Medicare ID card, or receive disability benefits from the government, you are eligible for half fare on the bus and train.To use half-fare, you can show your Medicare ID card
  • You can also get a card showing your disability status from the bus company that runs in your town. To find out more
  • Check out this link to apply for a ID card for reduced fare on the bus

“Now that I don’t get 31 day bus passes for free anymore, I have to budget for bus rides. But I use my Medicare ID to get half fare, and that helps a lot, I use it on the train, too.”

What if I’m a student?

If you’re a student, money might be really tight. If you have to commute to school and don’t own a car, the cost of taking the train or bus adds up. 

• UPass: If you go to a qualifying school, you can get a UPass. Depending on where you go your UPass may be free or cost you $20.00. A UPass will take you anywhere in Connecticut for free on the train or bus.
  • To learn more and see if your school offers UPasses click here 

What if I don’t know how to take the bus?

If you have never used public transportation it might feel really overwhelming figuring out what to do for the first time, or even first several times. Fear not! There are supportive ways for you to learn how to navigate the bus.

• Travel Training: If you have a disability and want to learn how to navigate public transportation, click this link to find out more about travel training
  • Travel training is designed to teach you how to use public transportation, and support you through what may be a stressful time. All you have to do is pay for you bus token!

What if I don’t know what I qualify for?

If you don’t have a case manager figuring out what you qualify for and applying for it can be really hard. Don’t worry we got your back. Check this out and contact someone to help you see what help you can get.

• Mobility Ombudsmen and Mobility Management: To see what you qualify for, see what your options are, and learn more about getting around with a disability check out this link. You will find the phone number for a mobility ombudsmen in your area, who will help you navigate your options and apply.
  • You can also click this link for more information about mobility management, and find the number of the person to contact in your area

What if I can’t use the bus because of my disability?

If you cannot use the bus because of your disability, then you want to know about paratransit and other public transportation options for people with disabilities. Check these out.

• Paratransit: If your disability makes it difficult or impossible for you to use public transportation, then you may be able to use paratransit services. If you are eligible, you can use the paratransit van instead of your local bus route.
  • To find out more, see if you are eligible, and apply for services check out this link. 
• Eastern Connecticut Transportation Consortium: Transportation help for people with disabilities, low income, and those who receive public assistance.
  • Check out their site here to learn more and contact them

What if I need to get to a doctors appointment?

Getting to and from a doctors appointment can be really stressful. But you might be able to get a free ride to and from your appointments! Check this out:

• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): If you have state insurance and your doctors appointment is covered by it, then you will likely be able to get free transportation to and from you appointment.
  • Click here to read more about NEMT and to book transportation
• Med Cab and Veyo: These are other options for getting transportation to and from your doctors appointments.
  • Click here for the number for Med Cab and Veyo

What if I need to know more?

If this information isn’t enough, or you want to learn even more about getting around with a disability check out these websites.

• Know How To Go CT: Know How To Go is a website, which provides information about using public transportation with a disability, as a senior, or a veteran. Check it out here.
  • Or if you are in South Central CT, click this link 
• Way To Go Connecticut: Similar to Know How To Go, a website dedicated to helping people navigate public transportation
  • Check it out here
• Connect-Ability: Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS): Public Transportation Options
  • DORS has broken down all of your transportation options, including some extras that are specifically for people with disabilities.
  • Click here for that list
• 2-1-1: 2-1-1 is your one-stop shop for all your needs. Between food, housing, childcare, transportation and more.
  • Check this out to learn even more about your transportation options on the 211 website, or use your phone and dial 2-1-1