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. Information about the workshop scheduled May 9, 2008 with the application is available now. View Flyer and Application.

DASH schedules workshops for May 12, 2008.

The Disability Advocacy Support Hub (DASH), a project of the Disability Rights Network of PA, has scheduled a series of workshops designed to help disability advocacy groups improve their skills. Reservations are required. Enroll now for the May 12 2008 Erie workshop.

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 May 2nd, 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.

Support Meeting for Teens who Stutter and their families

The local chapter of National Stuttering Association holds their meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month.

MH Advance Directive

Mental Health Advance Directive is available online.

Suicide: Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Suicide has become epidemic. This course of action by advocate Brain McLaughlin, suggests immediate action, if you or someone around you is at risk.

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".

Cancer Workshop presented by the Erie County Dept of Health

The Erie County Department of Health is presenting four educational programs regarding cancer - the number one cause of death in the United States. Check the schedule for the upcoming programs.

Mental Health Month 2008

Mental Health Month 2008 begins May 1st with an Open House at the MHA. Complete schedule of events is published.

Expressions of Spirituality

The 6th Annual Conference on Mental Health Recovery & Spirituality Scheduled for May 14,2008.

Walk for a Health Community 2008

The annual fundraiser "Walk for a Healthy Community" sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has been scheduled for June 14, 2008. The location this year is Presque Isle State Park. Sign up today. Save The Date!

Brian McLaughlin to provide formal advocacy services at the MHA

Bill Grove just announced that that Erie County Care Management (ECCM), The County MH/MR Office and the MHA have agreed to have Brian McLaughlin from ECCM, Mental Health Base Service Unit be available on-site at the MHA to offer advocacy services to consumers. Brian will be here from Noon to 4 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays each week beginning next Tues. December 11th, 2007. He will initially make himself available in the main area so that he can be easily accessible for consumers to get to know him and his role. Having Brian here along with the Health Choices Support Team will make formal advocacy services a much more prominent part of the MHA than we have experienced in many years.

Staff are welcome to refer individuals to Brian as a resource. When not here, Brian can be contacted at ECCM, 528-0600. Much like the outpatient. therapy services provided here by Safe Harbor, this will be a provider agency bringing the service to the consumer. Similarly, this service is available to any MH consumer, not just Center members. I am very grateful to ECCM and the County for providing this opportunity for consumers at the MHA.

Emergency Food/Shelter Help

MHA member Tom King has authored a series of documents to help those seeking immediate food and shelter. The documents also include help in identifying long term resources with useful guides to show you how to qualify for housing and food assistance.

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.