Spring Is Around the Corner!
The weather is changing, and signs of spring are all around us. There are birds chirping in the windows in the morning, and flowers blooming in front lawns. Spring is a time of renewal and hope, which is why we are pleased to announce we have recently begun expanding, and will soon be opening a Wellness Center. We are excited about this new endeavor, and will share more information with you as things continue to develop!
Annual Survivor to Thriver Conference
The Survivor to Thriver Conference will be held in conjunction with the Continuing Education Department at Jamestown Community College's Olean Campus. It will take place on April 30th 2012, and our theme this year is "The Culture of Surviving." This will focus on how survivors of trauma think and react differently than those who have not experienced such an event in their lives. Our team of presenters will provide tools, education, and awareness to participants, so that they may utilize some of their experiences in a positive way. For more information, and to per-register, please see the brochure form listed below, it can be printed and mailed, or you may call our office with your choice of workshops at 716-372-0208.
When: April 30th 2012, 8:30-4:00pm.
Where: Jamestown Community College (Olean Campus)
Please return registration forms by April 20th 2012
2012 Survivor to Thriver Brochure (pdf)
- If you cannot open the PDF format, please call us, and we will be happy to assist you!
Emotional & Physical Health Fair
The Early Identification & Recognition Program of Cattaraugus County is pleased to announce the first annual TCU (Taking Care of You) Emotional Health and Physical Wellness Fair that is being held on Saturday May 19th at the Olean JCC Campus! The Department of Community Services Early Identification & Recognition Program is partnering with the Mental Health Association to sponsor this event with all proceeds going to the No One Way Teen Group of the Mental Health Association in support of their grand opening the evening of May 19th 2012.
The day will kick off with a 5K run/walk starting at 9:30 and then from 11-4 the fair will be taking place. Mix 101.5 will be broadcasting live and then Little Sister unplugged will be playing live from 1-4. The YMCA bounce house will be there and there will be tons of games and activities for kids.
We are inviting ALL local service providers to be a part of this fair and are offering free tables for service providers to set up informational booths. We are also looking for vendors/clubs/organizations to sell food and things such as crafts, pampered chef, celebrating homes, Avon, etc. The main message of this event is overall health and wellness. If you know ANYONE that would like to set up a table to sell things please invite them or let me know. The cost for a vendor selling things is $10. Service Provider tables are free. We are also looking for food vendors so if anyone has any connections with restaurants please let me know!
We are planning for this to be a big event so another thing we are going to need is VOLUNTEERS. I know it's a Saturday but this is for a great cause! We need volunteers for Fair Set-Up, Vendor Registration, Run/Walk Registration, T-Shirt sales, Face Painting, Balloons (using helium tank and passing out), clean-up, and race team (passing out waters and manning the crosswalks so we don't have to pay police over time to help out!). All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt! :)
The day will end at the Mental Health Association to celebrate their grand opening with a dinner theater/talent show and art exhibit. Tickets are $10 and include the art exhibit, talent show and dinner. 2012 Emotional & Physical Health Fair Flyer(pdf)
TCU Run/Walk 5k Registration(pdf)
Changes
We are working hard behind the scenes to refresh our website and provide some helpful new content. Please be patient as updating can often be quite a process when we are also balancing exciting things daily happening in our office! If you have tried to send emails via the website, and have not received a response back, we have also changed our emails and may have missed one. The best thing to do is to contact our office if you haven't heard from one of us, at (716) 372-0208. You may also contact The Coordinator of Peer Education, Jennifer Falandys, to report any broken links or missing information.
We thank you very much for your understanding and patience!
Did You Know?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is common in the northern U.S., where temperatures are cooler and there is limited amounts of sunlight during the day.
Lifestyles changes and adaptations may be necessary to overcome the winter blues and keep your mental health on an even keel until Spring.
- Light Therapy or exposure to artificial light may help, and changing out light fixtures to Compact Florescent Lightbulbs (CFL) in the household or purchasing an OTT Lite (Amazon.com).
- Exercise! Check out local gyms to see which membership options accommodate your budget, and your schedule. Some of them offer child care as well. Exercise is a great way to release natural endorphins and boost your mood!
-Connect! Socialization and time with friends and loved ones can help give you the support and give you the lift you need to get you through difficult days.
-The Mental Health Association is always here for you!
Call us at (716)372-0208
If you are having trouble weathering the winter months, here are other helpful phone numbers:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Alliance on Mental Illness www.nami.org 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
DO MORE FOR YOUR 1 IN 4
Did you know that 1 in 4 adults struggle with a treatable mental health condition each year? That is almost 60 million people.
Who is your 1 in 4? Do you know a family member, friend, veteran, or colleague quietly struggling with Depression, ADHD, Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Substance Abuse, or some other mental health issue?
We can help you help them
The Mental Health Association in Cattaraugus County, is dedicated to helping each of us achieve true wellness – wellness of mind, body and spirit – because there is no health without mental health!
Getting Help:
Some people find it difficult to communicate what they want or don’t want from their treatment providers. But. over the years, more and more people with mental health conditions are realizing they have a right to speak up and speak out about what they want. In fact, some people call themselves mental health “consumers” to show that they can choose what services to purchase and where.
Where to Go for Help:
Where you go for help will depend on who has the problem (an adult or child) and the nature of the problem and/or symptoms.
Often, the best place to start is your local mental health organization. Browse around on our website to find out more about the services and programs we provide.
• You can get referrals from your family doctor, clergy, the Mental Health Association of Cattaraugus County, and Crisis centers. As you set out to get some help, consider asking for a few names. This way, you have more than one option, and can interview more than one person before choosing who is right for you.
• Your insurance company can provide a list of providers who are in your plan.
• Eligible veterans can get care through the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information, go to www.va.gov/health or call 1-877-222-8387.
• You can find affordable mental health services through the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration. Visit http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/ or call 1-877-726-4727.
• Cattaraugus County Community Services provides free or low-cost treatment and services on a sliding scale. These services are state funded and are obligated to first serve individuals who meet “priority population criteria” as defined by the state Mental Health Department.
• Your company’s employee assistance program (EAP) can issue a referral to a provider. Reach out to your Human Resources office to get more information about your company’s EAP.
• Medicare offers a list of participating doctors on its website, www.medicare.gov. Click on“Find a Doctor”.
• Providers who accept Medicaid may be listed by your state Medicaid office, which you can find by using the map at edit
Books For Sale: Celebrate our cultural diversity by purchasing our cookbooks, a compilation of recipes submitted by members from throughout our community. Along with the cook books we have many poetry anthologies for sale as well.
- Books cost only $7 each.
- Please visit our office to purchase your copy!
Your tax-deductible donations are an important investment in helping to keep people out of the hospital and keeping down the costs of healthcare.
Please Read Below to see How You Can Help!
Average Cost of Inpatient Mental Health Care: $800/day.
- As Compared to:
- Average cost of a day at the Friendship Club FREE
- Cost to support an Adult Compeer Match: $106.25 per month.
Average cost of child/adolescent residential treatment: $1,925+ per week.
- As compared to:
- Average cost to provide Family Support Services: $50 per week
- Average cost to provide a Support Group for Teens: $100 per week
Typical cost for a family to send a child to camp: $500-$2000 per week.
Cost to send a child with mental health needs to Camp New Horizons: $0
- How you can help this happen:
- Cost to sponsor a camper for a camp session at Camp New Horizons: $900
- Cost to sponsor a camper for a day at Camp New Horizons: $125
- Cost to sponsor meals for one camper at Camp New Horizons: $125
- Cost to sponsor an arts & crafts project for the entire camp: $75
- Cost to sponsor an activity for the entire camp: $25
Operation Dignity will resume in the Spring Call (716)372-0208 for more information on how you can get involved.
Trauma Support Group Open to survivors of all forms of Trauma. Meets 2nd and 4th Tues. 7-8:30pm
Attention Teens! No One Way Teen support group meets Fridays from 3-6pm. Please call (716) 372-0208 to learn more.
Writers Workshop Wednesdays from 1-3pm Resumes in June!
GED Classes Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-Noon. All are welcome.
Get Inspired! with quotes from our Inspiration Walk.
