(WNY News Now) – The fall newsletter of the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County (MHA) features a wide range of MHA activities and happenings over past months, from the first north county participant celebration to art shows, and much more.
Jamestown, N.Y. – The MHA is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.
The recent newsletter was shared with participants at MHA’s November recovery luncheon and can be found online at MHAChautauqua.org/newsletters.
After welcoming everyone to the luncheon, Executive Director Steven Cobb introduced Administrative Manager Michelle Colaiacovo who recognized three participants—Arthur Dahlgren, Andrew Lecceradone and Michael Cave—and intern Marissa Rasado for assembling 150 xylazine wound care kits.
Xylazine is a veterinary drug that is being used as a cutting agent for heroin and fentanyl, causing skin sores and infections at injection sites, as well as other serious health issues. In addition to gauze pads, vaseline and instructions, the kits contain xylazine test strips.
The MHA also has free fentanyl test kits. Both kits include Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, a safe medication that has saved hundreds of lives in Chautauqua County. Currently as many as 40% of EMT responses for opioid overdoses in the county find that Narcan has already been administered when they arrive.
MHA Finance Director Jill March organized the meal. It was prepared by Bonnie Weber of Be The Change You Want to See in Jamestown with assistance from staffer Shannon Fisk. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church made a generous donation to assist with food purchases, and Lisa Schmidtfrerick-Miller of the Chautauqua County Health and Human Services Department helped with desserts.
All MHA programs and services are free.
The MHA commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for our community members who struggle with mental health and substance use.
Anyone with questions or in need of services for themselves or a family member suffering from a mental health or substance use disorder is welcome to call or stop in at the Jamestown recovery center at Door 14 in the rear of the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street. It is open Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Hours for the north county recovery center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk, are 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call (716) 661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s dozens of groups and classes is at MHAchautauqua.org/groups
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