An informational webinar, family story time, and adding a service to rural communities are some of the ways Spectrum Health & Human Services will honor Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
“Mental Health Awareness Month is typically a time to share stories of hope that can help raise awareness of just how common mental health issues are and the value of seeking help and support,” said Spectrum Health’s Associate CEO Cindy Voelker. “For May 2021, this need is amplified.”
Mental Health and the Law is a free, virtual webinar on Thursday, May 13 at Noon. Panelists include Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo Torres, Sgt. Amber Beyer, Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator with the Buffalo Police Department, Sarah Bonk from Endeavor Health Services, George Brimmer, Spectrum Health’s Assertive Community Treatment program team leader, and Legal Aid Buffalo staff attorney Athena McCrory in a discussion moderated by WGRZ journalist Heather Ly. The program will be livestreamed on https://www.facebook.com/SpectrumHumanServices.
Keep Calm and Story On! is a virtual event for families on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30pm. Spectrum Health’s Melissa Farrell will read the classic children’s book Jelly Beans for Breakfast about two friends with wonderful imaginations. Then Sandy Pufpaff will show us how to make our own glitter jars: they are fun ways to inspire creativity and bring a sense of calm. Sandy will talk to the grown-ups about how to assemble a Coping Toolbox that is a good thing to have on hand when a little one is feeling stressed and anxious. Melissa and Sandy will answer questions about how families can embrace mental wellness and steps to take when a young person needs help.
This event is presented in collaboration with Explore & More, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum. Register at https://store.exploreandmore.org/Events or call 716 539 5320 with any questions.
Spectrum Health will celebrate its Wyoming County Mobile Unit with a brief ceremony on Thursday, May 20, at 12:30pm adjacent to the agency’s office at 58 W. Buffalo St. in Warsaw. The Mobile Unit brings counseling and referral services to key locations in Wyoming county, where residents may have transportation challenges. Spectrum Health is supported in part by the Wyoming County Department of Mental Health and the Mobile Unit is funded with support from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
For more information on these events, call Spectrum Health at 716 662 2040.
Spectrum Health & Human Services is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) providing mental health, addiction, ACT, rehabilitation, care coordination, housing and crisis services in locations throughout Western New York. Spectrum Health promotes hope, empowerment and self-defined improvements to adults, children, and families as they recover from behavioral and/or addiction-related disorders. Visit www.shswny.org for more information.
