Understanding the importance of the mind-body connection, the benefits of integrated care, and the many dimensions of wellness this Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Join Brian Scott Gens, LCSW from The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) this Mental Health Awareness Month to learn what mental health really is and why it matters to us all. 

Pre-registration is preferred but not required to attend. Walk-ins are welcome. Register for free today >>>

Where: Ossining Public Library 

When: Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

Join the Mental Health Association of Westchester in Mental Health America’s “Be Seen in Green” challenge this May!

On May 16th, for Mental Health Action Day, we'll be wearing green to show support for advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, education, and direct services. We invite you to wear green too and join us in fundraising for mental health in your community. 

Why Green?

Join The Mental Health Association of Westchester and The Mental Health Association of Rockland for an unforgettable evening of professional baseball at Clover Stadium, home of the New York Boulders Baseball Team! 

By purchasing a ticket, you'll not only receive a NY Boulders Baseball cap to wear at the game, but also contribute to the vital work of MHA Westchester and MHA Rockland. Proceeds from each ticket sold will directly benefit our work!

When: May 14th at 7pm

Join us for Speak UP!, the newest installment of our free, educational series on mental health: Community Conversations. Held at White Plains Public Library on April 30th, this inspiring panel event features:

📣Stories of hope and resilience,
📣Access to community-based mental health resources, and
📣Evidence-based information highlighting the importance of community connections.

Featuring Panelists:

Thank you for joining The Mental Health Association of Westchester and the Mental Health Association of Rockland as we celebrated the Power of Connection at our annual Gala on October 26th, 2023.

Identifying and finding appropriate solutions to your child’s educational needs can be a challenging journey. Join us this fall as we discuss New York State Education Law, explore rights as a parent and hear firsthand from parents who have successfully advocated for the behavioral health needs of their children in a school setting. Resources for advocacy support will be provided.

A Community Conversation with The Mental Health Association of Westchester

Our team is passionate about making a difference in the lives of our clients and their families, and we are looking for like-minded individuals who share our vision. Please join us at our upcoming Career Fair to learn more!

Hiring managers and other members of our staff will be available to answer your questions about programs, career opportunities, workplace culture, and more. On-the-spot interviews are available for the following positions:

Pride Month is a time for LGBTQ+ folks to gather and celebrate their freedom to live authentically. The LGBTQ+ community deserves affirmed, safe, supported, joyful, and mentally healthy lives. 
  
As we celebrate the achievements and resilience of LGBTQIA+ individuals, we also take the opportunity to raise awareness of common barriers to seeking mental health care and advocate for environments that are informed, accepting and affirming. 
 

Are you familiar with common warning signs and risk factors for mental health issues experienced by youth? What protective factors can family members, educators, and the community foster to positively influence a young person’s well-being? Join us on Tuesday, May 23 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm as we explore these questions and more in an engaging Community Conversation centered on youth mental health. The event is led by a licensed clinical social worker and a youth peer advocate from MHA with lived experience in navigating mental health challenges and the mental health care system.

This #GivingTuesday, you can help transform housing into home. With our Home For The Holidays campaign, making an impact is easier than ever. 

Simply shop from our Amazon gift registry to purchase household essentials for adults who have entered MHA's housing programs from the shelter system or a long-term inpatient hospitalization.

Thank you for joining us as we celebrated the power of connection at our virtual gala!

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Did you miss the broadcast? Catch a replay at mha.onlinegalas.org

Honoring

Lauri Cole, MSW | Championing for individuals with behavioral health conditions and providers

The Ingrassia Family | Creating a legacy of philanthropy rooted in good deeds

Benita Marks | Advocating for children in the child welfare system

MHA’s Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Östman, LCSW-R, joined The Business Council of Westchester to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare sector, Westchester’s economic recovery, and the future of the behavioral health landscape. The panel of healthcare leaders in the region discussed lessons learned during this time and how they can be applied as we move forward.

If you missed the program or would like to view it again, click here >>>

We know that many men find it difficult to open up about their mental health, due to societal expectations and stigma. We also know that there are unique cultural factors that can compound these existing barriers. Our panel for Part 2 of Men’s Mental Health discussed these cultural influences through the lens of race, ethnicity and religion.

Watch the recording here >>>

We were joined by:

For 75 years, our doors have remained open, delivering vital mental health care and life-changing services. Thank you to everyone who joined us for MHA's 75th Anniversary virtual celebration on Thursday, October 14, 2021!

To re-watch the event, visit mha.onlinegalas.org >>>

To make a donation in support of our honorees and the power of our community, click here >>>

We were joined by Melissa Bernstein, founder of beloved toy company Melissa and Doug for a virtual community conversation, The Power of Anxiety: How Practice Makes Purpose. From building a billion-dollar company and raising six children, Melissa's public path has been marked by success. However, for as long as she can remember, harmful inner voices and feelings of hopelessness had been part of her life. After seeking help at the age of 50 for depression and anxiety, Melissa developed a set of powerful practices to support meaning.

Pillars of a Meaningful Life: Community Conversation with Emily Esfahani Smith

The author of The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith discussed how we can re-emerge from the pandemic with an eye on finding fulfillment in our new normal. She explored this in the context of the pillars of a meaningful life and how we can incorporate these pillars into the experiences of the past year. 


Wellness Workshop: Community Conversation with Meritage Restaurant

2021 Virtual Healthy NY Summit Presented by City and State New York

How Affordable Care, Disease & Addiction and Mental Health Impact New York’s Health Care Policies

Thursday, April 15, 1:00 pm - 4:10 pm

Learn more >>>

Charlotte Ostman, LCSW-R, MHA CEO on the Prevention and Protection for All New Yorkers panel

At a time when record numbers of people report experiencing an increase in depression and/or anxiety, it is more important than ever to create meaningful conversations around mental health issues, including its impact on men.

A powerful documentary, Resilience reveals how toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for a lifetime of negative outcomes. The film also chronicles the dawn of a movement that is determined to fight back.

Thank you for supporting our first virtual gala! 

If you had asked us last year how we pictured celebrating in 2020, we could not have guessed it would be online. However, just as we quickly pivoted and transformed our in-person services to virtual platforms this spring, we, too, adapted our plans for our annual celebration. 

For many youth, this season is one of unexpected loss. In addition to social distancing and closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many are experiencing additional upset and grief related to the unrest that surrounds us: racial injustice, violence and political turbulence.

From missing milestones of prom and graduation to the inability to come together with friends to process feelings and take action on social justice issues, students may be feeling unmoored and grieving a variety of lost experiences.

Many of us are experiencing unprecedented hardships as a result of this pandemic. Our short-term focus may be on getting through the day and the losses we are experiencing, but we would like to also turn our attention to the long-term possibility of growth as a result of adversity. 

During our second virtual Community Conversation event, we explored the concept of Post Traumatic Growth and the steps we can take to set ourselves up for future growth. 

In recognition of Mental Health Month, many took part in a special virtual donation yoga class hosted by Barbara Dunn.

The 60-minute Vinyasa Flow class had an emphasis on the close connection between breath, movement and meditation. Barbara is a RYT-200 yoga instructor and is working on the RYT-500 certification at Kripalu.

Proceeds from this donation class went towards MHA. 

Your yoga practice helped to provide a pathway to recovery and resilience.

As we develop new routines and practice social distancing, many families may be turning to screens more than ever for work, education, socialization and even childcare. Many parents are feeling conflicted as they balance their desire for their children to have limited screen time against the need to work remotely, adapt to online education and see friends and family by way of video chat.

Thoughts of suicide are common – more than 9 million American adults acknowledged having thoughts of suicide when asked that question in 2014. Recognizing and acknowledging risk of suicide is a powerful beginning to help save a life. safeTALK is a 3-hour training that teaches people not to “miss, dismiss, or avoid” signs of suicidal thinking, effective ways to start the conversation, and provides information to help connect individuals at risk to useful supports and services.

Join The Mental Health Association of Westchester for a special Breakfast for Babies interactive webinar. Focusing on trauma in the perinatal period and the mental health and well-being of both infants and mothers, this online meeting will be hosted in our Tarrytown office.

Friday, December 20th

9:00 am - 11:30 am

Please arrive 10 minutes early

580 White Plains Road, Suite 510

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, November 16th for "Stand-Up For Mental Health" at the Emelin Theatre.

In homes, in schools and in our very own clinics, celebrations big and small unfold each day in the lives of those we serve. 

On Thursday, October 24th, we gathered to recognize the many celebrations your support has made possible this year. Celebrations like: 

LaRissa, a five year old in foster care, graduating from Pre-K cheered on by an MHA volunteer who advocates for her needs in Family Court

On Thursday, September 26th, we welcomed ABC News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton to the stage of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center for a powerful Community Conversation about hope and healing following loss to suicide. 

MHA Board Member and mental health advocate Sean A. Mayer, who lost his brother Ryan to suicide in 2014, joined Dr. Ashton for the intimate discussion about the impact suicide can have on family, friends and the wider community. 

Thank you to everyone who joined Break The Hold for a special sunrise walk on Sunday, June 9th.

The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) was thrilled to present An Evening of Conversation and Music with Modern Warrior LIVE on Wednesday, October 24th at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Highlighting shared human experience, resilience and hope, Modern Warrior LIVE is a theatrical musical performance about one veteran’s experience of returning to civilian life and the role of the arts in his recovery from trauma.

Hoops for Health was an energizing evening of community conversation that explored the challenges experienced by athletes, changing the culture to encourage and value reaching out for support when needed, knowing where to turn, and recognizing how sports can enhance wellness. Discussion topics included how mental health is overlooked in sports and how can we support athletes, breaking down stigma and educating parents and coaches on emotional wellness.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday, June 20th as we welcomed summer under the open sky at our mega-yoga event, Get On Your Mat For Mental Health on Court Street in White Plains. 

A wonderful day was enjoyed by many at Manhattanville College's 5K Color Run in which participants were showered with colored powder at points along the course. It was an energetic, cheerful and, yes,slightly messy event for the whole family! All proceeds benefited MHA in support of mental health. 

The event took place on Sunday, April 29th at the Manhattanville College Campus at Dammann field. 

We were honored to host authors Nyna Giles and Eve Claxton as they discussed their new release, The Bridesmaid’s Daughter on Wednesday, April 11.  The evening was a powerful example of the vital roles storytelling, advocacy and human connection play in normalizing mental health issues and erasing stigma.   Special thanks to Harvey Rosenthal, Executive Director of NYAPRS, for moderating a poignant conversation bringing to light the importance of early intervention, peer support and working together.

The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA), The Lagond Music School, and Music & Miles: Changing Minds were thrilled to join forces on Saturday, March 10th for a one-night-only multi-arts evening of performances that gave mental health, resilience and strength the center stage.  

Highlights from An Evening of Conversation with Clint Malarchuk
By Sean Mayer

As he fought back tears, former National Hockey League goalie Clint Malarchuk told a rapt audience what led him to point a gun under his chin and pull the trigger in 2009.

“I didn’t want to kill myself,” Malarchuk said of the suicide attempt on his Nevada ranch. “I wanted to get rid of the hamster or mouse or rat that was running around inside my head.”

On Thursday, October 26th, The Mental Health Association of Westchester welcomed former NHL all-star goalie Clint Malarchuk and his wife Joanie for a riveting and unforgettable evening of conversation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday, June 21st as we welcomed summer under the open sky at Get On Your Mat For Mental Health, our outdoor mega-yoga event! Held in Turnure Park, the empowering and energetic community-driven event featured live music from House of Waters, a yoga marketplace of vendors, sponsors and exhibitors, and an invigorating hour-long class led by renowned teacher Beryl Bender Birch. 

Join us for MHA’s 53^rd annual Operation Holiday Joy gift drive and spread cheer and kindness this winter!

Last year, with the help of friends like you, we delivered gifts to more than 350 men, women, children and teenagers we serve. For most, these are the only gifts they receive during the holidays.

Your gift is more than just a fun toy or a warm jacket - it is a message that says "I care about you, and you are a cherished member of our community."

Join us on Thursday, November 10th for an evening with parents of youth and young adults whose children have been challenged by a range of significant mental health issues.

Is the Help Helping?
Parenting Youth through Mental Health Challenges

Thursday, November 10, 2016
7:00 pm
Eileen Fisher Learning Lab
50 S. Buckhout Street, Suite 102, Irvington, NY 10533

On Thursday, October 13th, The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) hosted an unforgettable evening of conversation and song with legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins. 

An intimate event at the Emelin Theatre, the evening provided audiences with a glimpse into the Grammy Award-winning singer’s life as she shared her story, touching upon alcoholism, depression, the suicide of her son and her own suicide recovery.

The event also featured a special VIP reception with Collins. Proceeds from the event benefit MHA’s vital mental health services. 

On Tuesday, June 22nd, we celebrated the incredible men and women who devote their time as Court Appointed Special Advocates, Visit Hosts and Sterling Community Center volunteers with a special appreciation luncheon. Jimmy, who developed a long-lasting relationship with his CASA advocate while he was in foster care, so eloquently summed up the importance of our volunteer's service: "You and I are walking manifestations of how a little kindness can provide light in a dark place." Thank you to all of our volunteers - your commitment and care make all the difference in each life you touch!

On Wednesday, May 4th, more than 200 community members gathered at the Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers for the Westchester premiere of the award-winning feature film, No Letting Go. Based on writer and producer Randi Silverman’s own life, No Letting Go follows a Westchester family as they navigate their son’s mental health conditions and the difficult decisions they must make as he grows up.

The results are in: the 12th annual MHA on the move 5K Run/Walk was a success! Benefiting The Mental Health Association of Westchester, MHA on the move featured a 5K Run/Walk, a one-mile kids’ race, entertainment, refreshments, raffle prizes and more. Thank you to all of our participants, fundraisers and sponsors – your support helped raise vital funds for our mental health services!