×

New Faces At The County Mental Health Association

The cover story in the recently published Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County (MHA) newsletter tells about staff additions that have been made at the MHA in recent months. These include, from left, Sheridan Smith, Justin Jimenez, Darien Holt, Sean Jones, and Joseph Vaughn. Not available when the photograph was taken were Jessica Falco, Amy Lynch, and Alex Roblyer.

Increased need and additional programming have brought new staff to the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County.

As Executive Director Steven Cobb notes, “The MHA now has 15 full- and three part-time employees to serve the 621 unique individuals we are working with. We have had 12,600 daily visits so far this year, not counting people we work with off site.”

The cover story of the association’s recently published Fall 2018 newsletter introduces some of the new faces: peer specialists who assist with finding employment, safe housing, and access to reliable transportation. Stories are shared of what it means to be part of this organization that is experiencing both growth and demand for services.

Elsewhere in the newsletter, Cobb recounts his own road to recovery through the Mental Health Asosciation.

Reports are included of the Mental Health Asosciation receiving a 2018 Spotlight on Population Health Award from the Population Health Collaborative in Buffalo, the Knitting for Wellness Group, the Chapel Team, the Wellness Fair prepared and presented by Jamestown Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant students, and collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier on worker recruitment and retention.

Suggestions of items worth reading and worth watching include the film Beautiful Boy, starring Steve Carell. The true story is based on father and son memoirs. Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff and his son Nic’s Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines are both available at Jamestown’s Prendergast Library.

A trailer for the film concludes: “While addiction is massively under-funded and under-regulated, there are those working tirelessly in all communities to combat this epidemic. The help is out there — for those struggling with the disease, their loved ones, and for those who grieve.”

The current newsletter as well as previous ones can be read in its entirety on the MHA website by clicking on “Read Our Newsletter” at mhachautauqua.org.

The Mental Health Association is a peer recovery support center offering recovery coaching, peer support services, peer support groups, advocacy, veterans support, employment and job support, trainings, and family support.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today