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Community Conversation: Mental Health
Originally aired May 19, 2009 on WSKG Radio

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On this Community Conversation, join host Kathleen Cook for a wide ranging discussion on mental health laws, stigma, myths & facts and their affects on families and communities.

Guests will be Richard Wenig, Supervising Attorney for Mental Hygiene Legal Services, Binghamton Region; Carol Booth,  National Alliance on Mental Illness, Finger Lakes President; and Susan Wheeler President and CEO of the STAR Group and Chairperson elect of the Mental Health Association of New York State.

We welcome your calls and e-mails. LIVE Tuesday May 19th at 7pm.  

To join in this COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, call 1-888/359-9754 or post a question or comment to CommunityConversation@WSKG.ORG.

 

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION is a recipient of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

My Source Community Impact Award for Engagement 

A related program was broadcast May 21: Michael Friedman on Geriatric Mental Health. More information and online listening.

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COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Related Information

Specific to Broome County:


United Health Services Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (where people who may be suicidal are taken for evaluation)

CPEP (similar to above program but for the elderly; they will come to your home)

Broome County Mental Health Dept.

Greater Binghamton Health Center

"United Way of Broome County's information and referral service First Call for Help, serves as a primary channel of access of community resources and links callers with the programs and services best able to meet their needs. Most of the callers need help to meet basic needs such as food and shelter. However, thousands of callers request other type of help, such as dealing with rebellious teens, long-term care options, counseling and support group availability, separation and divorce issues, pregnancy, and the need for medical care. Established to serve Broome County, it now operates under contracts to also serve Chenango County and Tioga County. The First Call for Help Advisory Committee advises and assists in formulating policies and practices."

Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier (MHAST)


Specific to NY State:

State legislature bills related to Suicide and Mental health:


 "The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country."


NAMI graded each state's mental health system. This year NY got a "B," see links:
Grading The State
Grading The State Overview


Contact information for Broome County's NAMI chapter, which provides a support group for family members of people with mental illnesses:
State Office of Mental Health's reaction to NAMI's report

There is a statewide plan for mental health from 2006-2010

 The Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS) is an organization that works to "ensure mental health for all New Yorkers." It is involved in the Timothy's Law campaign. Timothy's law assures equal health insurance coverage for mental versus physical illnesses.
 "Speak Up, Save Lives" NY state suicide prevention

Additional resources:   

Live your life well includes health tips for the general public.