Jasper a certified therapy dog visits MHA

Jasper with his trainer Dave Tamilin, was at the MHA on December 18th. Jasper and Dave usually stop at the Association twice per month. This page contains additional information and the video of the last visit.

World Aids Day Celebration

World Aids Day 2008 was celebrated at the Mental Health Association on December 2, 2008. Participants from throughout the Erie community joined with Rev. W. Owen Rhodes and Music Minister Anoia Rhodes Hobson in remembering our loved ones who have been lost to AIDS. Event Photos

Mental Health Law Heralded

The recent passage of the Mental Health Parity Law will benefit more than 113 million Americans. CEO Bill Grove heralds the passage of this legislation and recognizes the efforts of our legislators, Sen. Robert Casey, Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Phil English, in this article.

REP. PAT HARKINS DELIVERS

When State Representative Pat Harkins (District 1) came to the MHA in April to meet with mental health consumers about legislative priorities, he offered support and assistance if we needed something. Before he could get out the door, one of our more vocal members let him know that the MHA could use a better television. Well, true to his word, Mr. Harkins delivered on his offer by donating a beautiful, 24 inch console TV that had been in his home. He even carried it in with help from a friend.

The MHA is very grateful not only for Rep. Harkins donation of the TV but for the fact that Representative Harkins heard and remembered a request when he was in a position to honor it.

Thank you Representative Harkins for remembering.

Event Photo

Recovery Celebrated

The 19th annual National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month, September 2008, kick-off was held September 9th, 2008. Summary of event and remaining schedule

CEO Thanks Participants in Walk for a Health Community 2008

The annual fundraiser "Walk for a Healthy Community" sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has been a fund raising success. Read this 'Thank You' message sent to all participants.

MHA Thanks The Erie Commumity Foundation

The Erie Community Foundation awarded a grant to the MHA to upgrade its security system by adding a camera overlooking the MHA parking area. Creating a safe environment at the MHA day and night is important to the staff, consumers of mental health services, and guests who come to us for self-help and mutual support programming. With the addition of the parking area security camera we can help make sure that interest is respected and honored.

The MHA is very grateful for this $709 grant.

This is the second year that MHA has been the recipient of an Erie Community Foundation grant. In 2007, we received funding to purchase a TTY machine to enhance communication resources for hearing impaired persons at MHA and in the downtown area.

We encourage all our friends and supporters to consider becoming a contributor to the Erie Community Foundation. To learn more about how you can participate, visit the ECF website at www.eriecommunityfoundation.org.

The MHA also thanks its Mercyhurst College Social Work intern, Erik Penn, for his work on developing the grant application for the security camera. Good work Erik!

Erie County Treatment Court Graduation

The Erie County Treatment Court conducted the sixteenth graduation ceremony on Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at the Erie County Courthouse, Erie, PA.

The Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA congratulates all new graduates of Erie County Treatment Court. The new graduates have completed volunteer hours in the Erie community along with other milestone accomplishments. We applaud those persons who were discharged early from probation. We commend the 162 former graduates.

Best wishes on your journey.

Congratulations to Ms. Vicky Wyten on your retirement. Thank you for your years of service and compassion.

Congratulations to Judge Cunningham on being elected as President of the Pennsylvania Association of Drug Court Professionals in Sep 2008.

Comments by intern Tiffani Parks

Comments by intern Anoia Rhodes Hobson

Never

Never, Never, Never, Give Up! - a lesson learned from a child, by Brian McLaughlin.

Housing Support Service at the MHA

The MHA has formed the "Housing Support Team" with the expressed purpose of "Helping Mental Health Consumers Find and Keep Safe, Affordable Housing through Peer Support, Education and Advocacy".

Employment Outreach Service at the MHA

The Consumer Employment Outreach is housed at the MHA. It's goal is to empower Mental Health consumers to have successful employment experiences through support, information, guidance and advocacy.

TTY Service Available At MHA

Thanks to the generosity of the Erie Community Foundation the Mental Health Association of NW PA was awarded a grant for the purchase of a TTY machine. In our efforts to be good neighbors and a resource to the larger community, the MHA TTY service availability will be posted at our front entrance so that anyone with a hearing impairment in the downtown Erie area will be welcome to use this device upon request.

The Internship Experience at the MHA

Several college seniors from universities within the tri state area have spent a semester at the MHA. We have asked our recent interns to express their impression of their experience with us.

Resource Group Support for Family and Friends of Persons Who Die by Suicide

PALS "People after Loss from Suicide" is a non-denominational support group. Meetings are currently held at St. Marks Catholic Center 429 East Grandview Blvd. Erie PA 16504 every third Tuesday from 7-9PM. For More Information Call: Marjorie 814-864-2428, Mary 814-898-0709 or Sandy 814-825-9437.

"No Kidding, Me Too!" Using Celebrity to Reverse Stigma

A new nonprofit wants to get the message out about the importance of treatment for mental illness--and it's hoping the voice of celebrity will ring loud and true for people feeling helpless and isolated by anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, or any of the host of conditions the group refers to as "brain dis-ease.".

Friday evening DBSA Online Support Group begins.

Good news! DBSA would like to announce a new online support group on Friday evenings from 8:00-9:30 pm Eastern Time.

Parents as Presenters Program

The Parents as Presenters initiative links family members with college students, faculty members and professional development trainers in order to enhance the quality of education and training opportunities for college students and professionals in special education, social work and other related fields.

Assisted Outpatient Treatment SB 226

Presently, in the Pennsylvania Legislature, Senate Bill 226 is under consideration. Senate hearing were held on Oct 2, 2007. View the testimony at that hearing and related articles.

Coalition of Advocates Meeting Schedule

The Western PA Coalition of Education Advocates (COA) has scheduled their next meeting for December 5th, 2008 from 9:30AM till noon.

Lighten UP to fight SAD

Twenty percent of the US population suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the "winter blues", according to this December 27, 2005 article from the Detroit Free Press. In SAD season: If your gloomy mood matches the wintry skies, several approaches can help columnist Patricia Anstett writes that seventy percent of those so affected may be helped by Phototherapy.
Mental Health America further discusses this issue in this recent article on SAD.
Light boxes used in Phototherapy are now available at no change, at the Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA. Contact Rita Wheeler or stop in at our office to find out about this service. More information is available here at the MHA National site.

MH Advance Directive

Mental Health Advance Directive is available online.