From The Desk Of The Executive Director: Cheryl Blacklock
Community Education & Referral Program
Compeer For Kids/ Family Support
Compeer Niagara-Adult Program
MHA’s In-Home Respite Program
Consumer Activities
Youth Booth
Compeer Friendship Connection
Board of Directors

Happy spring! There are a lot of fun and exciting things happening at the Mental Health Association in Niagara County, Inc. We have our annual meeting coming up where instead of having a sit down luncheon we are planning a community wide Open House. 2009 marks our 45th year in service so, what better way to celebrate than inviting people in to see who we are and what we offer? The entire community is invited so mark it on your calendars: May 19 from 5:30 -7:00 pm at 36 Pine Street, Lockport. Sweets and treats will be available.

Six very excited Compeer Teens will be participating in the Environmental Youth Summit on April 24th and 25th at the Park School in Amherst. These teens will learn valuable leadership skills and will be involved in a problem solving activity that they have planned and implemented that solves an environmental challenge in our very own community. Dave Bauer, President of Sustainable Earth Solutions will be facilitating this event. Stay tuned for more details on how things went and what project they picked.  

The Wii has come to the MHA! On May 14th, we will be having our very first MHA Bowling Competition. Once this event is over with, this activity will be opened to all Compeer and In-Home-Respite families. This will be a well supervised event and will include healthy snacks. YOU NEED TO BE PRE-REGISTERED to attend.  If you or your child would like to participate, please give Darlene a call at 433-3780.

Our In-Home-Respite Program is exploding! If you have a child and or children living in your home that have a mental health diagnosis and you need a break, call us. We can provide trained child care that actually comes into your home while you run errands, attend appointments and/or just relax. Call us and find out more 433-3780.

The MHA will be hosting a day long conference on June 2nd at Niagara University on “ Perinatal Mood Disorders”. Our collaborating partners are Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center, Niagara University Department of Nursing, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and Eastern Niagara Health Systems. This conference will focus on Post Partum Depression, recognizing the signs and how and where to go for help. Dr. Cindy–Lee Dennis, an Associate Professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto and Dr. Renee Baughman, OBGYN at Gynecology-Obstetrics of WNY will be discussing their research, studies and experience on this topic. This event is geared towards nurses, nurses in training, OBGYN, Pediatrician and General Practitioners Office Personnel. The Mental Health Association in Niagara County will be expanding from this event to provide education throughout the community on Post Partum Depression as well as providing a 24/7 “warmline” for new Moms. It is hoped that within the next year, an In-Home-Respite program will be made available for new Moms and Dads.

Like I said, we are very busy and excited about our upcoming events. If you or a loved one has a mental health diagnosis, why not join us for some of these fun activities? You won’t be judged, you won’t be made fun of and quite frankly, no one will even ask why you’re here!

Look out summer….. here we come!

Cheryl

Getting the Word Out

The Mental Health Association in Niagara County, Inc. continues to serve the mentally ill and the supporters of mental health services in many ways. We set up booths at health fairs, attend meetings of special interest groups and other human service agencies, and provide free presentations and trainings on mental health topics. This is how we spread the word about our services and programs, remind organizations about the importance of supporting good mental health, and combat the stigma of mental illness.

Some of the meetings our staff attends regularly are: Association of Human Services, Niagara County Community Service Agencies, Coalition of Agencies in Service to the Elderly (C.A.S.E.), Orleans-Niagara Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), Family Violence Intervention Program (F.V.I.P.), Western New York Military Families Advisory, and others. At these meetings, we receive updates on the services of other agencies, which allows us to keep current the information we provide in our Helpbook and through the Helpline. We also take the opportunity to inform other agencies about our current programs and upcoming events.

MHA has also reached out to several different groups this spring at health-fairs and similar events: the senior population, college students at Niagara University and Niagara County Community College; young adults and parents; children of all ages.

“Mental Health” In-Services

The focus of presentations this spring has been on providing an overview of the Mental Health Association. Agencies, organizations and businesses can benefit from this short presentation which enlightens staff to the wide array of free services we offer. Staff will learn how and when to refer clients and family members to our organization for assistance and mental health referrals. Furthermore, many workers who encounter mental illness on the job feel underprepared to deal effectively with symptoms and drug-side effects. We can provide a basic overview so that they can learn to respond appropriately and with empathy.

Other News:

We are pleased to announce that the 2009 Helpbook (25th edition) is now in print!

For those of you who missed the Support Group Facilitator’s Training on April 30th, a second workshop is being planned for the summer. Please call for details, or email Pamela Szalay at pszalay@mhanc.com

Postpartum Depression Outreach Program

“Moms Net”

Moms Net, a program of The Mental Health Association, has informational pamphlets available on Postpartum Depression. The Moms Net Program offers free classes to providers, physicians, expectant and new mothers on Postpartum Depression Awareness. Referral information is also available.

“Warm-Line”

The Moms Net Program is seeking moms who have recently had a baby (within the last two years), to become volunteers for other mothers. The Warm Line volunteers will assist new mothers who have questions and need support with their infant or toddler.
Volunteers will cover the Warm-Line two days a week. Cell phones will be provided by the Mental Health Association to volunteer moms.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer please contact
Carleen Stover at 433-3780 ext. 312.

Spring is Here! We had a great & busy long winter! Welcome Spring! We have done a lot of activities and we are planning some more. Here are a few: we played white elephant bingo, we went to the movies and had Chinese food, made green eggs and ham and a parent came and read the green eggs and ham book while the children cooked and ate. Then we made green bean terrariums from recycled materials. I hear from the children and parents they are growing.

We had a build a bunny workshop where we made bunnies from fleece material. We also made key chains, chocolate bunnies and had scoops of ice cream with staff.

I hope you read the Compeer newsletter. All of our events and activities are listed there and because we purchase in advance we do a count on who plans on attending. Keep this in mind and please RSVP when asked. Thank You.

Our children are scientists in training for the Environmental Youth Summit. They are now in the planning stages . They will have opportunities to work with other children from other schools who have interests in the environment. They will learn about: Leadership, Creative Problem Solving. The Compeer children are up for the challenges.
“You Go Compeer Kids.”

We will soon attend a conference with parents and also have facilitator training coming up. We have a train ride planned with model trains scaled to take passengers. A Railroad Club from right here in Lockport has invited us to their place for this ride on a new track. Then off to the Animal Sanctuary. A Bisons Game too, then we will start to learn to bowl on the new Wii game in the office.

One more stop to the Spring Fling dinner April 30th, with Glen Colton doing the entertainment.

Remember to have a friend you need to be a Friend…
Happy Spring ! Have a safe and happy summer.

Darlene

Winter has passed and spring is here!  It has been a pleasure to continue to meet each consumer and volunteer at our monthly client enrichment activities.  We enjoyed a variety of events this winter.  Events included a Christmas dinner and party, Chinese food and movie, White Elephant Bingo and pizza and most recently an evening of Amish culture, crafts, food and desserts. With spring comes another variety of events that will have us bowling, gardening, seeing a play and enjoying a picnic in the park.  

Each month we send our newsletter listing new events, informative articles, and information on  both support groups and upcoming events at the Mental Health Association.  We encourage you to read our newsletter and participate in our events. We especially appreciate the participation of our unmatched consumers. This is one benefit all members can take advantage of, whether you are matched or waiting to be matched.  There are instances that we can pair you with a volunteer for the evening only, when their match is not present.  Joining our activities is always a good way to meet Compeer consumers and volunteers as well as interacting with the staff. Compeer Niagara’s goal is to match every consumer who joins our program with a volunteer.

 Therapists continue to refer individuals to our program and volunteers are needed throughout Niagara County.  Linda Stevens, Director of Compeer, had developed and begun new advertising that will reach all of Niagara County.  A new addition to our Compeer family is Darlene Paulson, Coordinator of Kids Compeer.  Together we will all be working on community presentations and outreach to obtain volunteers.

Our volunteers are matched with someone who lives nearby. Each volunteer makes a one year commitment, spends about an hour a week with their match and is a supportive friend. If you find that you don’t have the time to meet with someone on a weekly basis, a once a month match to drive someone to a Compeer activity could be arranged. Spending one hour a week can make a big difference in someone’s life!  Why not become a friend to someone who doesn’t know the joy of having a supportive friend.

 Please contact me at 433-3780 ext. 309 to find out about the application process.

With Warm Regards,

Virginia Gonzalez

In Home Respite refers to a non-therapeutic break for the family.   A respite can be set up after an intake appointment is done with the family.  An intake is scheduled with the coordinator.  After the intake, and if the family qualifies, respites can be scheduled.  Respites are a planned break, scheduled in advance, to give everyone in the family a time apart to enjoy some different activities. 

Parents and /or caregivers can go to a movie, go outt to dinner, grocery shop or just have a cup of coffee with a friend.  The child/children at home may be enjoying a game, a craft or a movie and a snack.  A respite can be a welcome break for the children and parents to enjoy different activities.    

If you or someone you know could benefit from In Home Respite, call 433-3780 and ask for Marg to set up an intake or call Betty if you have already had an intake and want to set up a respite.  When you call to set up a respite, ask about our games, crafts or movies.

It’s that time of year again, everyone seems to get a touch of spring fever, itching to get out and enjoy the sun and good weather.  It’s a perfect time to attend a CPAC (Consumer Planning Advisory Committee) meeting. The meetings are held once a month at the Lockport Public Library in Lockport.   The meetings are the fourth Thursday of the month, the start time varies so call for more information.  

Sometimes speakers are invited to the meetings to talk on subjects of interest to the group.  We have had speakers talk about Medicaid, Domestic Violence and Tenant Rights.  Topics of interest are suggested by attendees.   

If you are on the CPAC mailing list, you will receive a postcard reminder with date and time of the next meeting.  The card will also have information on a speaker if there is one that month.  Come join us, we like to share information and ideas. To be added to the mailing list or find out information on the next meeting, call 433-3780 extension 304, or ask for Marg.   

Hello community.  Spring is finally here now we will finally have more light to brighten up the days. The Youth Booth Program has been very busy this year.  So far, the Youth Booth has been to Wilson Elementary, Wilson Middle School, Wilson High School, Emmett Belknap, North Park, Newfane Middle School and Colonial Village.    The students seem to be really enjoying the program. 

Workshops have been done on Bullying, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Peer Pressure, and Communication Skills. I have had more requests on Bullying and Relationships this year than any other year.  I am very happy that the community is addressing these issues. It is important for children, teens, and adults to become knowledgeable about mental health wellness and mental health needs.  According to Mental Health America, youth who get the services they need are more likely to have positive outcomes, such as better grades, and less likely to have negative outcomes, such as involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

 May 8th is also National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, atime for communities to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families.  For information or education on mental health issues you can reach Carleen at 433-3780 ext. 312

Happy Spring!

Chery Blacklock-Executive Director

Howard Morgan- President
Susan Mason - Vice President

Dona Chase - Treasurer

Stacy Passino- Secretary

Rhonda Bivins

Frances Crosby
Pamela Garlock

Jeffrey Peresie

Rebecca Thompson