The Anti-Stigma Coalition took part in Broken World, A Mental Health Music Festival on August 1 which raised money for suicide prevention and created a space to grieve, heal, connect, and come together through music. Presented by Matt Riley of Anti-Stigma Coalition...

The Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade was held on August 15 and featured dancing, traditional food and community presentations. This popular event honors Puerto Rican and Hispanic heritage, history, and local contributions. The Anti-Stigma Coalition participated in...

According to the National Council on Aging, mental illness remains seriously underdiagnosed and undertreated in older people. In fact, two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not receive the treatment they need.Factors that may contribute to mental...

We welcome organizations, companies, churches and schools to become members of the Anti-Stigma Coalition. There is no charge and members will benefit from a variety of resources. Benefits of membership: Monthly newsletter access—share widely and/or contribute content...

This summer, the members of the Anti-Stigma Coalition will be out in force at community events to let the public know of our mission and encourage our greatest strategy in addressing the stigma around mental illness … talking!

What resources are available and what types of therapy are used for a PTSD diagnosis?Therapies Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Focuses on how trauma has changed your beliefs about yourself, others, and the world around you. 12-session weekly therapy that gives you...

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Everyone with PTSD—whether they are Veterans or civilians who experienced sexual violence, a serious accident, a disaster event, or other traumatic event—needs to know that effective treatments can reduce symptoms and lead to a better...

May is Mental Health Awareness mont, and I am excited to launch a fun and charitable challenge throughout the month of May to both raise awareness and take action to help #EndTheStigma of mental health conditions and diagnoses. As a proud member, I invite you to...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to promote mental wellness.Throughout the month, local agencies and community organizations host events to share stories of success, educate the public about mental health, and encourage people to utilize community resources...

April is Autism Acceptance Month—a time to move beyond awareness and toward a deeper understanding of autism and the people it affects. Across the country, organizations are working to reduce stigma and create communities where autistic individuals are supported and...

Abbey Marchewka’s journey to mental wellness has been shaped by depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. She bravely shares her story with the hope of helping create work environments where people feel safe asking for help and are supported when they do.

Early in his deployment to Mosul, Tom Voss experienced the loss of two of his squad leaders—men he considered father figures.‘When you’re in a combat zone, you don’t have time to process loss, you drive on and move on,” Voss said. “You experience survivor’s guilt.”...

"The primary mental health issue is our identity, and it is the root cause of addiction and other problems." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among Indigenous people and Alaskan native people consistently surpass those of all...

From the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie CountyThe behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide.  Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live Planning...

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and stigma can create barriers to these prevention efforts,” says Christopher Ramnauth, LCSW, community engagement and partnership coordinator, suicide prevention at VA Western New York Healthcare System.September is Suicide...

Challenging student behavior, heavy workloads, low pay, and student mental health issues can greatly impact the mental wellness of teachers and school staff.

It’s almost back-to-school and time once again for the 4th Annual School Mental Health Summer Academy which will be held virtually on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 (8:30am-12noon) and Wednesday, August 20, 2025 (9am-12noon). The theme, this year, is Promoting Mental Health Equity and Resilience in Schools.

Just like all mental health challenges, stigma has a negative impact on the experience of grieving a loved one.

People with non-visible disabilities may experience discrimination and stigma at work, school, and in the community.

We all feel anxious from time to time. Many people worry about money, jobs, school or relationships. When worry interferes with day-to-day life, often causing physical symptoms, it may be an anxiety disorder.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and it presents an opportunity to consider the impact of stress in our daily lives. It also provides an opportunity to remove the guilt, shame, and stigma around anxiety and mental health.

Matthew G. Smith, executive director, Preventionfocus, Inc. has been named chair of the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition;  Danielle Bernas, LMSW, director of the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Healing at Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been appointed vice chair; and Melinda DuBois, executive director, Mental Health Advocates of Western New York, has been named treasurer.

The experience of struggling with bipolar disorder has impacted every facet of my life from work to school, to relationships. It was difficult growing up in an environment that didn’t talk about mental health and supports available to manage the emotional distress I was experiencing especially during my lowest moments.

According to NAMI, bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar experience high and low moods—known as mania and depression—which differ from the typical ups-and-downs most people experience.

Join a growing list of organizational membersworking together to break downthe stigma surrounding mental illness.

Nine percent of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder (ED) in their lifetime and eating disorders have the second-highest mortality rate among mental health conditions.

Stigma exists for people of all ages, races, genders, and occupations. Statistics show that less than 50 percents of people with mental illness seek treatment.

Christina Pearl and Karl Shallowhorn have been appointed members of The Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition’s Governing Board.

SAMSHA offers the following tips to supporting your mental health during the holiday season.

Veterans experience many challenges as they transition to civilian life. Stigma can be a barrier for individuals who struggle with mental health issues.

Physical risks, long hours, and challenging work can lead to mental health issues for industrial and blue-collar workers. Yet, stigma often prevents these workers from asking for help. They may fear being perceived as weak or be concerned about losing their job.

October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month and brings awareness of the need for accessible and affordable mental health screenings. These conditions are highly treatable with many different options.

The start of the school year is a good time to remind students, parents, and teachers about where they can go for help in a safe and confidential environment. Resources are available, often in school, through parent groups and online.

Suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress and should not be ignored. If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.

To address the mental health crisis among young people, new programs are helping them overcome stigma and connect with their peers.

Summer is a great time to focus on self-care. Here are 15 ideas for summer wellness from Mental Health First Aid.

by Chris Muldoon, co-founder of StridefulIn our busy lives, finding time for self-care is essential. And one of the most proven ways to support mental well-being is through regular physical activity.  But exercise has its own stigma. Many people look at the fitness...

Our country is facing a mental health crisis, with one in five people living with a mental illness. It’s in the best interest of organizations to create a mentally health workplace and support their employees in their mental wellness journey.

One in five people live with a mental health diagnosis, yet many people suffer in silence because of stigma. Fear of being treated differently or being discriminated against can result in people avoiding or delaying seeking treatment.

Tune in to WBBZ on Wednesday, May 22 at 8 p.m. for Your Hometown Health Connection featuring representatives from the Anti-Stigma Coalition.

Isolation, concerns about confidentiality, and a tradition of self-reliance can lead to significant stigma for individuals with mental health challenges living in rural communities. In addition, most rural areas lack adequate mental health services.

by Nicole Shields, Youth Peer Advocate Program Manager, Mental Health AdvocatesGrowing up I felt like something was off. I never felt right or like I fit in. I was quiet & easily blended in. When I began drinking alcohol & using substances as an early teen, it...

Nicholas Pitillo, owner, Osteria 166 and Villaggio shares his efforts to encourage his employees to get help for mental health challenges.

Mental health challenges for restaurant workers are common. The restaurant business is high stress, long hours, demanding customers, and often lower pay. Work can involve intense, physical labor, irregular schedules, and a fast-paced environment.

According to the CDC, suicide rates are on the rise among people aged 65 and older. Causes of suicide in older adults range from depression to grief over the passing of loved ones, to chronic illness.While depression is a common problem among older adults, the...

The Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition’ mission reflects Mrs. Carter’s trailblazing work to reduce stigma. Sharing stories about struggles and successes of people with mental illness reduces stigma and encourage people to get the help they need.

Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common mental health challenges for Veterans and members of the military. Research suggests that 11–20% of veterans experience PTSD each year — significantly higher than past-year estimates for the general population at less than 4%.