Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County

Major Programs of the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County Personal Coaching Individual peer support, recovery coaching, referrals, access to care, advocacy, and community support for individuals and their families affected by mental health and substance use issues. Our coaching model embraces the need to meet participants where they are at. With that in mind, we embrace and support participants who are still using substances with harm reduction techniques that focus on safety and wellness without requiring goals based on abstinence. Peer Support Groups A variety of groups take place at the MHA supporting multiple pathways of recovery. Including 12-step based mutual aid groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Crystal Meth Anonymous; SMART Recovery, a non-spiritual based recovery support group; Meditation based recovery support, Recovery Dharma; Faith-based recovery supports such as We Believe; and MHA created peer support groups that focus on education, guidance for recovery, life skills, health, mental health, and many more useful topics. Strong Starts Chautauqua A cooperative endeavor with a local network of organizations to provide peer support and connections to resources for moms and moms-to-be, dedicated to building bright futures for Chautauqua County children and their families. Better For Families Program In partnership with the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human services, the BFF program offers guidance, encouragement, and resources for individuals engaging with the family court system in Chautauqua County. Occupational Peer Empowerment Network OPEN is a career-focused support system providing education, resources, advocacy, and encouragement to attain, retain, and maintain stable employment. Treatment Court Navigation Working closely with Jamestown and Dunkirk city treatment courts MHA provides support toward following the guidelines of and completing treatment court, as well as access to video conference court attendance. Emergency Technology Assistance Provides phones, minutes, and other necessities for connecting with community resources. Jail Outreach Through a partnership with the Chautauqua County Jail system, a peer coach meets with individuals during their incarceration to help them plan for their release with information and resources to avoid falling into the same habits that got them there. UPMC Connection In cooperation with UPMC Chautauqua, provides a presence in the hospital Inpatient, Outpatient, and Emergency Departments to advocate for and provide guidance to individuals with mental health and chemical dependence issues in stressful situations, as well as educate staff on resources and techniques available for treatment. Overdose Response With cooperation from area law enforcement and critical response and a connection to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program, connects with individuals and their families shortly after an overdose event to provide comfort, support, education, guidance, resources, and encouragement toward safer habits and practices. Narcan Training Offers individual and group training for identifying an overdose in progress and the proper steps for administering Narcan and getting help, as well as free Narcan doses to keep on hand. Transportation Provides participants with free transportation to medical, court, employment, or treatment-related appointments. Advocacy and Community Outreach Offers groups at other locations in the community; holds events to educate, advocate, and connect the public; supports positive and healthy activities. Peer Training Training, support, and resources to help people use their experiences to help others and join the growing professional peer community. Student Activities Internships and project support for students. Even during COVID we hosted interns from JCC, Fredonia State, St. Bonaventure, Edenborough State