Mental First Aid from MHA Dutchess (Aired On February 26, 2023)

              

Andrew O’Grady, CEO of Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA) visits Radio Rotary to introduce “Mental Health First Aid,” an eight-hour course that teaches ways to identify, understand, and respond to signs of a mental health or substance use problem. Similar to physical First Aid and CPR, Mental Health First Aid helps a trainee assist someone in a mental health or substance use crisis. MHA, among the sponsors of the First Aid course, is a nonprofit devoted to community-based services for dealing with mental health problems. Its many programs include care management, mobile crisis aid, community residences for persons experiencing substance misuse, veterans’ services, mental-health backup for police, supported housing, several varieties of support groups, and workshops and educational programs. MHA has aided more than 6,000 persons to solve their mental health problems in the past twelve years.

Learn More:
Mental Health America of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/
Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
National Council for Mental Wellbeing: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/

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March 5, 2023 · Posted in Addiction Recovery, Education, Mental Health, Service Organizations, Support Groups, Veterans  

Preventing Substance Abuse through Education (Aired On January 29, 2023)

                  

CAPE is the Council on Addiction Prevention & Education in Dutchess County.  For this program, Dora Celestino, Community Educator, returns to Radio Rotary  to talk about how CAPE uses education about the harm caused by substance  misuse disorder—including addiction to tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, or  street drugs— as a way to prevent such misuse. Duchess County currently  experiences more overdose deaths than any other county in New York State,  mainly due to the synthetic drug fentanyl. While fentanyl may be taken  deliberately, it is also used as an additive to other drugs, so persons may be  exposed without expecting it. CAPE teaches children, often younger than 13,to  avoid buying drugs over the internet. Another frequent misuse of drugs is taking a prescription medicine by raiding a medicine cabinet. But the most common form of drug misuse among children is vaping, nicotine delivered with an electronic device as a substitute for cigarettes. CAPE is also showing a movie about a family after their 19-year-old dies from drug misuse (Life After You at the Millerton Moviehouse)

Learn More:
CAPE (Council on Addiction Prevention & Education): https://capedc.org/
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, One Pill Can Kill: https://www.dea.gov/onepill
Dutchess County Addiction Prevention Services: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Executive/38732.htm
Trailer for Life After You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUic3dmeHU4

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February 13, 2023 · Posted in Addiction Recovery, Education, Mental Health, Service Organizations  

Community-Based Care from MHA (Aired on Aug. 28, 2022)

           

Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA) provides a wide range of services to veterans, families, children, and those who, because of poverty, need help from local nonprofits or government-sponsored services. MHA’s CEO, Andrew O’Grady, returns to Radio Rotary to describe several of the programs that MHA has in place to provide community-based solutions to mental-health problems. The 250 workers at MHA are not all therapists—although some are—but they are all able to meet with those in need, direct them to sources of assistance, and follow up for as long as necessary. MHA partnerships with local businesses lead to employment opportunities. A newly donated building will enable MHA to set up a one-stop-shop for veteran’s services. Apartments and community residences can help with housing. MHA services are free or very inexpensive for its clients.

Learn More:
Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA): https://mhadutchess.org/
Veterans Services in Dutchess County: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Veteran-Services/Veterans-Services.htm
Home and Community-Based Services: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/American-Indian-Alaska-Native/AIAN/LTSS-TA-Center/info/hcbs

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September 2, 2022 · Posted in Addiction Recovery, Dutchess County, Housing Assistance, Mental Health, Service Organizations, Veterans  

MHA’s Mobile Crisis Center (Aired on Aug. 21, 2022)

    

Jessica Madden, Director of Crisis Services at Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA) visits Radio Rotary to describe the revamped Mobile Crisis Center, previously run by the county but now operated by MHA under the supervision of Ms. Madden. In addition to mental health issues, the Mobile Crisis Center also helps persons affected by substance misuse. Typically, intervention is triggered by a phone call to 988 (the national mental health and suicide lifeline) or to MHA, usually not initiated by the individual needing assistance. A worker at Crisis Services then contacts the individual, bringing police assistance when needed, to de-escalate the situation. The individual will be directed to appropriate social services or supports. Afterward, a worker from the Mobil Crisis Center will keep in touch with the individual daily as needed.

Learn More:
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team: https://mhadutchess.org/services/mobile-crisis-intervention-team/
Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA): https://mhadutchess.org/
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

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September 2, 2022 · Posted in Addiction Recovery, Mental Health, Service Organizations  

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