Volunteer Tina Morgan (left) and Activities Director Dianne Valvo represented the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County at the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County’s Out of the Darkness Walk at Jamestown’s Jackson Taylor Park.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County’s September recovery luncheon was opened by Interim Director Michael Nordin.

Nordin awarded certificates to participants for achieving milestones in their recovery, including for two years of sobriety and for completing rehabilitation and gaining employment. He reminded participants that rides would be available to the Seventh-day Adventist Church food pantry and the Art in Recovery exhibit at MHA’s north county center in Dunkirk.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church members Cathy Johnner, Kim Mann and Terri Rettberg served the meal they prepared.

On the previous Saturday, volunteer Tina Morgan and Activities Director Dianne Valvo represented the MHA at the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County’s Out of the Darkness Walk at Jamestown’s Jackson Taylor Park. They gave out brochures, bracelets, Narcan and more. The women are also pursuing plans to begin a Suicide Awareness group at MHA.

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a safe, easily administered medication that has saved hundreds of lives in Chautauqua County from possible opioid overdose. It can be administered as a nasal spray by a first responder or friend, family member or bystander to someone who is experiencing an overdose of an opioid, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or heroin.

Like fentanyl test kits and Deterra drug deactivation bags, Narcan is available free at the MHA. The test strips can identify the presence of fentanyl in unregulated drugs and are recommended in this area even for occasional users. The deactivation bags are a simple, environmentally safe at-home method to destroy leftover prescription drugs so they cannot be misused.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

The MHA commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for community members who struggle with mental health and substance use.

MHA’s Jamestown recovery center in the Gateway Building, Door 14, at 31 Water Street, is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Hours for the north county center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk, are Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information call 716-661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s groups and classes is at MHAchautauqua.org/groups.

To receive MHA newsletters and communications, send an email to MHAChautauqua.org/email.