PROGRAMS

MHANYS programs are designed to create communities where all citizens have opportunities to thrive and to promote the wellness of persons experiencing mental health challenges as well as those who support them. 

Community Mental Health Promotion (CMHP)
CMHP provides grants, training, and technical assistance to county-level MHA affiliate teams. The purpose of the grants is to increase awareness of mental health issues and to decrease discrimination and stigma about mental illness by increasing access to community-based support for service recipients and their families. Teams identify local needs and then disseminate education and technical assistance to service providers, advocates, lawmakers, and the general public. Through these local initiatives, MHANYS promotes inclusion of diverse input into community-based policy decisions regarding mental health services.

Workforce Development & Outreach Program (WDOP)
WDOP is a statewide initiative designed to improve the employment opportunities of individuals living with psychiatric disabilities.  This objective is achieved through a multi-prong approach to: educate the community with specific focus on employers and the workplace, about the importance of mental health; through the creation of state and local Business Advisory Councils (BACs), foster private-public partnerships among the business community, MHA affiliates, State agencies, and other stakeholders committed to workforce development for people with psychiatric disabilities; and to promote evidence-based best practices in workforce development.

Justice Involved Advocacy
MHANYS staff work to promote advocacy and support for individuals who are living with mental health and/or substance use disorders and have come to the attention of our police, courts and correctional facilities. MHANYS staff provides advocacy for both incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals interested in resources that help them successfully reintegrate back with their families and communities upon release. MHANYS operates a Reentry Hotline during regular business hours (M-F; 9- 5). We provide Reentry Resources to individuals that contact us at 1-800-766-6177 and ask for the Reentry Hotline or by searching our NYS Reentry Resource database.

Mental Health Information Center (MHIC)
MHIC provides mental health information and resources to all New Yorkers. The MHIC Links & Resources database is searchable by subject area. Our staff operates the MHIC Information and Referral Line during regular business hours (M-F; 9- 5).  We link callers to a broad range of local, statewide, and national mental health organizations and programs, and answer questions on mental health topics. Contact MHIC at 1-800-766-6177 [outside NYS: Call (518) 434-0439], ask for the Mental Health Information Center, or email infocenter@mhanys.org.

PROJECTS

Building Connections: The Sexual Assault and Mental Health Project
The Building Connections Project is a collaboration between the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA) and MHANYS. The project provides residents and service providers across New York State with information and training seminars on understanding trauma, and trauma-informed care for survivors of sexual assault and mental health challenges. Building Connection fosters collaborative initiatives among mental health providers, victim assistance, and sexual assault services while providing technical assistance to regional trauma task force participants across the state. Building Connections promotes partnerships that are strength-based and trauma-informed.

Project Aware – Community Grant for the Capital Region
This project will train 830 adults in the Capital Region of New York over three years in Mental Health First Aid. Participants who work with or support Veterans, Older Adults, and the General Public will learn how to provide support and refer individuals dealing issues related to mental health and substance use. The goal of the project is to significantly increase the awareness, care, and support for behavioral health issues within Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties.

Contact MHANYS at info@mhanys.org for more information.

Transition-Age Youth
MHANYS Transition Age Youth website aims to be a resource for Transition Age Youth (TAY), and their families, friends, schools and community providers, as they transition into adulthood. The resources are intended to support community living, educational goals, and foster independence and improve overall wellness of TAY.

Visit Transition-Age Youth for more information.

Suicide Prevention Initiatives
MHANYS works closely with the NYS Office of Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Office and the Suicide Prevention Center of New York to make operational yearly statewide suicide prevention initiatives that reach clinicians, communities, and other stakeholders.

Contact MHANYS at info@mhanys.org for more information.