The Mental Health Association of Westchester — Making a Difference
By Janine Crowley Haynes
On Friday, October 24th, the Mental Health Association of Westchester held their Denim & Dreams Fall Benefit at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains. MHA was founded in 1946, and its Westchester agency continues the vision and dream of bringing high-quality, cost-effective mental health services. It offers various recovery-oriented health services and currently serves 25,000 women, men, children, and families.
The annual benefit was night of celebration with live music, cocktails, and dinner. Dr. Amy Kohn, CEO, welcomed about 150 supporters in attendance. Approximately $125,000 was raised through donations, raffles, and silent auction items. The monies raised will go towards programs they determine most in need. Some include the CASA program that advocates for children in foster care, their peer recovery program, and support services for their clinics.
Mayor Thomas Roach attended the event and spoke about the mental health challenges facing our communities. He is one of the New York mayors that signed on to the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. Recognition and awards were presented to the honorees for their outstanding achievements. This year, MHA’s On the Move Award went to Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, President and CEO of HRHCare. MHA’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Edye Schwartz, DSW, LCSW-R, Director of Systems Transformation, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, and the Spirit Award went to Mary Nicolich for her MHA volunteer service as a CASA.
MHA is dedicated to dismantling the stigma through educating the public on mental health issues. They remain steadfast in their belief that every individual deserves quality mental health care, housing, employment, and a safe environment to recover. Their focus is on respect and equality for those in need of mental health services. MHA’s approach is to view the person as whole, looking beyond their challenges, and help them discover their own unique talents and realize their own dreams.
To see the real difference MHA Westchester is making in the lives of people in our communities, watch their incredibly moving, awe-inspiring short film, Expectation: Recovery.
