Get Beyond Stigma and Find the Help You Need Tips for Seeking Therapy for the First TimeThe pandemic continues to impact our daily lives and virtually everyone is experiencing some type of mental health challenge. Economic woes, grief, isolation, loneliness, or fear...

These are difficult times for us all. Mental health disorders are on the rise countrywide given the COVID-19 pandemic and current political climate. The silver lining may be that the stigma of mental illness is decreasing and more people are seeking help than ever...

This month’s featured member is WNY Heroes, Inc. We recently spoke to Chris Kreiger Sr., Iraq War Veteran and President and Co-Founder of the organization.Q: Why did your organization become a member of The Anti-Stigma Coalition? Being a Veteran organization, we see...

Before the start of the pandemic, one in five Americans lived with a diagnosable mental health condition. These rates have skyrocketed as individuals from all walks of life have experienced disruption and insecurity in their lives due to the collective trauma caused...

Buffalo Toronto Public Media is a trusted public media resource that enriches its audiences by providing educational, entertaining programming and services, as well as engaging the Western New York and Southern Ontario communities through cultural and civic...

As concerns about staying safe and healthy continue, we enter a holiday season like none other. Beloved traditions of gathering with family and friends may not be possible, yet this year may present an opportunity to adjust expectations and embrace new ways to...

This month, we learn more about the Mental Health Committee of St. Joseph’s University Parish. St. Joseph University Parish is a Catholic community that fosters an atmosphere of welcome to all. Attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and nourished by vibrant...

As of January 2019, the National Cancer Institute estimated that there were 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States. By 2030, this number of cancer survivors is projected to increase to 22.2 million. Along with serious physical challenges, mental health...

Jessica C. Pirro, LMSW, chief executive officer of Crisis Services and co-chair of the Anti-Stigma Coalition, shares her story of cancer survival and mental wellness. We all have different response levels to stress. How we respond also is biological, including our own...

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce has a 60 year tradition of responding to the diverse needs of the business community. We recently spoke with Director of Marketing & Operations, Christine Langenfeld.Q: Why did your organization become a member of The Anti-Stigma...

The Anti-Stigma Coalition hosted a Facebook live event on October 8 to help parents, teachers and students navigate the new school year. Danielle Eadie, Clinical Director of Counseling Services at Daemen College, and Ka'Shara Jordon, Social Worker in the Niagara Falls...

Horizon Health Services offers comprehensive, person-centered care for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Patients and their families collaboratively embark on a journey towards change and wellness. Services include outpatient, detox, crisis...

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of domestic violence in our community and remind survivors that they are not alone. Domestic violence can happen to anyone at any time and impacts individuals...

EPIC - Every Person Influences Children – is helping families, schools, and communities raise children to become responsible and successful adults.Q: Why did your organization become a member of The Anti-Stigma coalition? EPIC became a member of the Anti-Stigma...

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time for mental health organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness and spread this important message. If you, or someone you know, are suicidal please...

Uncertainty about the upcoming school year is causing mental health challenges for many students, parents, teachers and staff. Will students be able to safely return to the classroom? The possibility of remote learning at the grammar school, high school and college...

A recent Facebook Live about how to deal with the stresses of returning to work during the pandemic attracted 14,000 views (and counting). In our current environment, individuals who have never struggled with mental health issues are experiencing symptoms but may be...

The mission of WNYHeroes is to provide veterans, members of the armed services, and the widows and children of deceased veterans with access to essential services, financial assistance and resources that support their lives and sustain their dignity. Many veterans...

When the word “disability” is mentioned, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) might not readily come to mind. Yet, the American Psychiatric Association reports that PTSD affects an estimated 3.5% of the American population, and people who have PTSD are entitled to...

African Americans have endured centuries of harms that have recently boiled over into the events we have observed in the last couple of months, most notably the response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks. What we are seeing is how the...

We recently spoke with Valerie Nowack, LMHC, MPA, CEO of Harmonia Collaborative Care about the stigma of mental illness.  Q: Why did your organization become a member of The Anti-Stigma coalition? As an organization serving individuals with mental illness for nearly...

We recently spoke with Missy Stolfi, Area Director, Western & Central New York Chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention about stigma and how the community has embraced the message of the Join the Conversation Campaign.Q: Why did your organization...

More than 900 people joined the Facebook Live event on Wednesday, May 27. A panel of mental health professionals talked about Breaking Down Barriers & Learning To Be Comfortable Asking For Help.  One in five Western New Yorkers have a mental illness, yet stigma...

Steve Biegner, mission pastor at Main Street Ministries: St. Paul’s Campus and executive director of the WNY Impact Foundation, works with individuals who are struggling with grief and loss. According to Biegner, the traditional ways to grieve are unavailable. People...

Medical staff, first responders and frontline workers quickly became the heroes of the coronavirus pandemic. While caring for patients with COVID-19 and providing necessary services in the community, many essential workers have experienced mental health challenges....

Since 1999, the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. (CHCB) has been one of the leading health care providers in Buffalo, dedicated to providing a safety net to the uninsured and under insured by offering comprehensive primary care services in medicine and...

The coronavirus lockdown has disrupted most facets of everyday life, including mental health counseling and support services. Mental health providers that are members of the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition quickly adapted to video technology platforms to continue...

The following is an excerpt from Michael Billoni’s acceptance speech for the Courage to Come Back Award from the Mental Health Advocates of Western New York on March 11, 2020: I thank God and my angels every day for the miracles since my near-fatal bicycle accident...

Ken Houseknecht, Executive Director, Mental Health Advocates of WNY Get enough (and better) sleep. Most people need 7-8 hours every night. Unplug from technology an hour (or more) before bedtime. Don't sleep with your phone nearby. Try to go to bed and get up at a...

Restoration Society, Inc. programs are rehabilitation communities founded upon the recovery vision that all individuals can lead active lives filled with hope and satisfaction and make valuable contributions to our community.  We recently spoke with Nancy Singh, M.A.,...

Fear, uncertainty, anger, sadness, and loneliness - these emotions are common as our community and country reacts to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t let stigma prevent you from reaching out for help. “The barrier to seek help is a lot...

Are you concerned that you or a loved one has a mental illness? Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following: Excessive worrying or fear Feeling excessively sad or low Confused thinking or...

More friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers will have the opportunity to Join the Conversation to end the stigma of mental illness. The Join the Conversation campaign will expand into Niagara County with a $45,000 grant from the New York State Office of...

Horizon Health Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation that provides hope and healing for individuals and their families dealing with substance use and/or mental health disorders. Established in 1975, Horizon is the largest provider of outpatient mental health...

It’s been more than twenty years since my younger sister, Beverly, died by suicide. It was 1993, I was 20 years old and my life was going well. I lived in an apartment with a best friend and I was doing well in college. I used to go to sleep with a smile on my face....

The mission of the Say Yes Buffalo partnership is to strengthen the Western New York economy by investing in the education of Buffalo’s future workforce. The primary goals of the partnership are to convene the school district, parents, teachers, administrators, state,...

One person dies by suicide every five hours in New York State and suicide is the state's 12th leading cause of death. “Suicide is the ultimate outcome of stigma,” said Jessica C. Pirro, LMSW, Chief Executive Officer, Crisis Services and Vice-Chair of the Erie County...

Child and Family Services dedicates its resources to meet the needs of children and families. One of Western New York’s oldest human service agencies, Child and Family Services fosters safe and healthy environments for children and families in local homes, schools,...

Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition, and many people consider the New Year is the best time to make positive changes. Common New Year’s goals range from getting more exercise, improving finances, to eating healthier. University of Scranton psychology...

It’s time to deck the halls and trim the trees - the holidays are in full swing. Joyful time with family and friends can often be overshadowed by unrealistic expectations and financial concerns that can have a negative impact on our mental health. This year, add...

Peers in Cayuga County supports individuals with mental illness and requesting recovery-based activities that will enhance their social and practical life skills toward their becoming better community members. Services include support job support, SSI, SSDI, GED...

November is the month we celebrate veterans and express our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. They often face significant mental health challenges when they complete their service or return from deployment. Stigma may prevent them from sharing their struggles...

Veterans Day is celebrated this year on November 11th. This is a day to recognize and thank the veterans that have served our country. As a USAF veteran myself, that served in Vietnam during a very tumultuous time in our nation's history, it is especially meaningful...

Coalition member Deaf Access Services is an organization helping meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people. We recently spoke with Pamela Kefi, Executive Director, to learn about the agency’s mission and why they are working to eliminate stigma.Q: Why is your...

“You’re a strong black woman, just deal with it.” “Pray about it and everything will be fine.” These are two phrases that were preached to me from a very young age. I would bet my last dollar that if I stop any African American woman on the street and ask her, she has...

Peer Support Specialist Leslie Saunders says that stigma is rampant within the African American community. “With the efforts, at best, we are just touching the surface,” he said. Many people feel shame and choose to try to get better on their own. They attempt to...

Parent Network of WNY is a not-for-profit agency that provides education and resources for families of individuals with special needs (birth through adulthood) and for professionals. The agency provides one-on-one support and education through resources, workshops and...

As a Buffalo firefighter for the past 24 years, Dan Milovich has witnessed trauma, injury, and destruction, and is often in dangerous situations. Firefighters, like other first responders, often keep their emotions bottled up and may struggle with mental health...

I’ve started and erased this story at least a half-dozen times. It’s not that the words don’t flow, it’s just that I get anxious talking about my anxiety because I get anxious about nearly everything. Far too much of my life has been wasted leaving terrible thoughts...

Karl Shallowhorn, education program coordinator at the Community Health Center of Buffalo, has been elected chair of the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition. Jessica C. Pirro, LMSW, chief executive officer of Crisis Services, has been named vice chair. Both are founding...

The Patrick P. Lee Foundation is a family foundation with two core funding areas - education and mental health. The Foundation’s primary investments in education are through its scholarship programs in science, technology, engineering, and math. In mental health, the...

The Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition has received a $3,000 gift from the Aquino Family Foundation to support the Join the Conversation campaign. The Aquino Family Foundation funds a wide range of non-profit organizations and initiatives in the areas of health,...

We recently spoke with Mary Skorupa, Executive Director, Children's Mental Health Coalition of WNY, Inc. whose organization is a founding member of the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition.Q: What is the mission of your organization? The Children's Mental Health...

For some young people, going back to school is an exciting time of new challenges and having fun with friends. But for other students, it can be a stressful period of change resulting in serious mental health challenges. Starting at a new school, entering a new grade,...

In 1965, U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran Patrick Welch was seriously injured in Vietnam, spending two years in the hospital and experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for 20 years before seeking help. He self-medicated with alcohol, experiencing...

Exercise. This simple word conjures images of extremely fit, athletic young people in very tight-fitting clothing, and this is unfortunately the image that can stop people who are dealing with mental health issues from going to the gym. Thankfully, there is a reliable...

Leading mental health and education advocacy organizations Bring Change to Mind and the Patrick P. Lee Foundation have released a new advocacy and awareness campaign, Between The Lines. This campaign aims to increase the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, and...

The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation is a family foundation that supports and collaborates with nonprofit organizations and community partners that share our mission of helping children, adolescents, and young people affected by intellectual disabilities,...

Thank you to members who attended the Membership Celebration on May 14 at WNED. A highlight of the event, hosted by Claudine Ewing of WGRZ News, was a panel discussion with campaign spokespersons talking about their mental health challenges. Join the Conversation is...

We recently spoke with Mike Telesco, President of Telesco Creative Group, about his company's involvement with the Anti-Stigma Coalition.  Q: Why did you get involved with the Anti-Stigma Coalition? We were asked by Michelle Brown (former Executive Director of...

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) honored the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition and its Join the Conversation Campaign with an inaugural Community Care Award. The Coalition received the award for furthering the OMH mission and making a positive contribution...

Mental health concerns are becoming more prevalent in older people, yet the stigma of mental illness often prevents them from seeking help. Baby boomers are aging and this population group is exploding—it’s estimated that by 2030, one in five U.S. residents will be...

The Erie County Department of Mental Health (ECDMH) provides over $62 million in funding from a variety of federal, state, and county sources for the provisions of services on a contract basis to 43 community  based agencies, other County departments, or directly by...

Two years ago, sixteen local organizations came together with the mission to stop the stigma of mental illness so more people will seek the help they need.The Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition launched a media campaign titled Join the Conversation and created a...

The Erie County Office for People with Disabilities exists to foster collaboration with the county’s service providers, provide advocacy, serve as a resource, educate the public, and seek to enhance the quality of life for people with a disability. We recently spoke...

Homelessness on the streets is all too common. For Maura Kelley, who describes herself as having many mental health diagnoses, stigma affects every aspect of her life. Kelley’s journey has taken her from homelessness, hospitalization and suicide attempts to owning a...

We recently spoke with Matthew G. Smith, CPP, Executive Director, Preventionfocus, about supporting young people with mental health issues. Preventionfocus offers programs and strategies to prevent drug abuse and promote health.  Their mission: Making safe and healthy...

Mental illness is on the rise among adolescents with one in five young people living with a mental illness. A 2016 study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that 12.8% of U.S. adolescents had at least one major depressive episode. While these...

We recently spoke with Marlene A. Schillinger, President/CEO of Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County, about the current need for mental health services in our community.

Stigma affects individuals with mental health issues in all aspects of their lives – personal relationships, family life and in the workplace.According to N.A.M.I. (National Alliance of Mental Illness), eight out of ten workers with a mental health condition say shame...

New Year’s resolutions often focus on losing weight, saving money or being more organized. It is also a perfect time to focus on your mental health and educate yourself about mental illness.One resolution is to take our Pledge to End Stigma. Separating the truth from...

We recently spoke with Michele Brooks, Executive Director,
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Buffalo & Erie County

Words matter. The Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition is working to end the stigma of mental illness and educate the community about how we speak about the issue.

Veterans Day 2018 has come and gone. I am pleased with the last Newsletter edition that featured information on Veterans and hope that it may offer support for those veterans that may be struggling with their adjustment to civilian life.

Festivities, family reunions and joyful celebrations are all part of the holidays, but for many people, the holiday season can also bring anxiety and depression.

We recently spoke with Mark J. Nowak, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, about depression and seasonal affective disorder. Does your agency experience an increase in request for mental health services during the holidays? At BryLin Behavioral Health System,...

November is the month we honor the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Often experiences they have while serving our country can result in mental health challenges when they return home.

Many local veterans face significant mental health challenges. We reached out to Cheri Alvarez, chief program officer at Compeer, one of Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition’s founding members, to learn more. Q: What are some mental health issues faced by veterans? The...

The Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc., a founding member of the coalition, recently announced it has changed its name to Mental Health Advocates of Western New York (MHA). From its inception in 1962, the agency has provided a comprehensive array of...

The 18th year of Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place October 7th – 13th and the focus is stress. While stress is something we all may experience in our lifetime, when it becomes difficult to manage it can negatively impact our mental health....

Children of all ages, in the Buffalo Niagara region, are headed back to school this week and while anxious feelings are normal and expected during times of transition or change, it’s important for parents and caregivers to make this transition as smooth as possible...

September 9-15 is National Suicide Prevention Week and in an effort to shed light on this stigmatized topic the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition shines a spotlight on member organization Crisis Services. Q: What is the rate of completed and attempted suicides in our...

Given the recent and tragic deaths of Anthony Bourdain , 61, and Kate Spade, 55, we reached out to Donna Possenti, VP of Clinical and Behavioral Operation for Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County, a founding member of the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition,...

A study out of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts suggests that having a baby in the summer could be linked to higher rates of postpartum depression. Of the hundreds of thousands of women who suffer from a postpartum mood disorder, only 15...

Here we are, citizens of the United States of America and it is July of 2018. Our national conversation around mental illness is full of stigma and innuendo, we only discuss behavioral health each time there is a mass shooting. As a nation we would have you believe...

In recent years there’s been more focus than ever before on mental health and the way mental health illnesses can affect our everyday lifestyles. One of the many remaining questions about mental health is this: do mental health...

For children, teens, and college students, summertime is associated with freedom from school and positive emotions. However, summer can also be a time where certain mental health issues need to be tended to even more than usual. Out of school...