Mental Health Awareness

NY Ketamine Infusions Opens Third Location In Westchester County to Serve Community’s Mental Health Needs

May 21, 2023 by InsidePress

In response to the increasing need for effective mental health treatment in Westchester County NY Ketamine Infusions (“NYKI”), the leading provider of intravenous ketamine therapy for major depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety and other debilitating mood disorders, announces the expansion of its treatment services.

NY Ketamine Infusions (NYKI) Westchester Team

With a successful track record of treating more than 5,000 patients in our two current locations in NYC and Long Island, NYKI has more clinical experience than any other ketamine center in the world. NYKI offers personalized and private care to those suffering from mood disorders. Intravenous ketamine, a highly effective treatment alternative, can provide rapid relief in even the most complex cases of depression, PTSD, and other mood disorders. In 2012, Dr. Glen Brooks founded NYKI in New York City as one of the world’s first therapy centers dedicated exclusively to providing this breakthrough therapy. Dr. Brooks, a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, completed his training at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and taught at Yale University School of Medicine.

In multiple studies performed over the past 20 years by researchers at Yale University, Mt. Sinai, the National Institute of Mental Health and other major institutions, IV ketamine has proven to be a highly effective treatment helping patients who have not responded to either traditional psychiatric medications or psychotherapy–often with tremendous, life-changing results.

But it’s important to understand that intravenous administration of ketamine is the gold standard for treating patients with mood disorders such as treatment resistant depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Delivery via other methods (intranasal and oral) is inconsistent and does not provide 100% bioavailability of ketamine. By administering ketamine intravenously, NYKI can deliver the precise dose and control the rate of infusion–important factors in ensuring an optimal outcome and patient experience.

At NY Ketamine Infusions, we are very focused on outcomes and are proud to report that 84% of our patients with treatment-resistant depression experienced noteworthy or significant improvement in their symptoms after undergoing ketamine therapy according to our OutcomeMD patient survey data (based on 2200+ patients seen since Jan. 2022).

The Westchester clinic will be led by Robert Glatter, M.D., who has trained extensively with Dr. Brooks at the New York City location. With over 20 years of experience administering ketamine as an Emergency Medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, Dr. Glatter brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Not only is Dr. Glatter an expert in his field, but he is also a sought-after commentator on important breakthroughs in depression treatment and healthcare. He serves on the Editorial Board of Medscape Emergency Medicine and is a longstanding contributor to Forbes Healthcare and Innovation. He is frequently called upon by major media organizations, including CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, The Today Show, and WebMD, to provide medical commentary on a variety of topics.

The newly opened office is located at 222 Westchester Ave STE 306, in West Harrison, NY 10604. For more information, interested patients and families can visit the practice’s website at nyketamine.com or call 914-369-1569 for a free consultation.

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A Summer Solstice and ‘Interconnected’ Energy at the On Your Mat For Mental Health Yoga Event!

June 22, 2017 by Inside Press

‘A calm, peaceful, introspective evening’ lead by Beryl Bender Birch continued MHA of Westchester’s work in spreading awareness and removing the stigma

By Amanda Kraus

Nearly one in five Americans experience mental illness first hand. Considering this staggering fact, it is likely that everyone is affected by psychological diseases in one way or another. We all know someone–a sister or brother, parent, friend, or coworker–who struggles with one or more of the myriad of mental illnesses. But if mental illness is so prevalent in our society, then why are we so reluctant to talk about it?

In order to get Westchester County thinking, The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) hosted an “On Your Mat For Mental Health” yoga event, in which Beryl Bender Birch, a renowned yoga instructor, lead a yoga class for all ages and abilities, in White Plains’ J Harvey Turnure Memorial Park.

It was meant to be; the rain held out, giving way to a beautiful, temperate evening, that also happened to be the summer solstice and the International Day of Yoga. The park was graced by the soothing, unique sounds of the Brooklyn-based group, House of Waters, preceding the yoga class, as well as a Yoga Marketplace, which featured local vendors, businesses, and organizations.

Before handing over the stage to Beryl, Charlotte Ostman, the CEO of MHA shared a few words. The purpose of hosting this event was to raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental illness as well as funds for their organization, and most importantly, to start a conversation within the community. “Shame, stigma, and discrimination have no place in our organization,” said Ostman. What better way to bring the community together than through yoga, a practice that not only benefits us physically, but also mentally and spiritually.

“Yoga isn’t just what you do on the mat, it’s what you do in your community to keep mentally and physically healthy,” remarked Birch upon gracing the stage. She spoke about the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga, and how it can help us keep in touch with ourselves and the present moment. Accompanying the conversation of mental health is the spread of practicing yoga. When we can acknowledge that yoga and health are undeniably connected, we can make more progress in our communities and our lives.

Even Beryl couldn’t deny the incredibly interconnected energy that was flowing throughout the park. I even forgot that we were in the middle of a bustling city. It was a calm, peaceful, introspective evening, that unfortunately had to draw to a close. But it doesn’t have to end there; the conversation is just starting. It takes one to influence many, to influence many more. A community is only great if it supports everyone in it. Since everyone is affected by mental illness, it is important that we get everyone talking about it. Once we normalize mental illness, we can begin to rid of its stigma.

Inside Press summer intern Amanda Kraus is a rising junior at Tulane University studying English, Philosophy, and Psychology.

An Evening of Conversation and Song with Judy Collins

August 31, 2016 by The Inside Press

The Mental Health Association of Westchester invites you to an evening of Conversation and Song with Legendary Singer-Songwriter Judy Collins

This intimate evening of conversation and song will provide the audience with a glimpse into the life of acclaimed Grammy-winning artist Judy Collins. Listen as she shares her deeply personal story, touching upon depression, the suicide of her son and her own recovery from attempted suicide.

The event will be followed by a special VIP reception with Collins, which includes refreshments and dinner by the bite.

Proceeds from the event benefit MHA’s vital mental health services.

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

Please join us as Judy Collins lends her voice to raise awareness for mental health

Thursday, October 13, 2016
7:00 pm

The Emelin Theatre
153 Library Lane
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Women Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness: A Meaningful Conversation

June 19, 2015 by Janine Crowley Haynes

By Janine Crowley Haynes

Ellen Levine, Suzanne Golden, Carole Mallement and Lee Woodruff — Editorial Director Ellen Levine of Hearst Magazines with the NY Women’s Committee Co-Chairs Suzanne Golden & Carole Mallement and Author, Advocate, Philanthropist Lee Woodruff *(photo by Chad David Kraus)*

Borensteins:Laitmans — President & CEO Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein and his wife Lisa Borenstein with NY Women’s Committee Member Dr. Ann Laitman and her husband Dr. Rob Laitman of Bedford, NY

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 15, 2015)—The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (the Foundation) held its second annual New York Women’s Luncheon, Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness, at the Metropolitan Club. “The Women’s Luncheon is designed to pay tribute to those women who are willing to speak candidly and personally about mental illness and how they inspire others to speak out against the stigma from brain and behavior disorders,” states the Foundation’s President and CEO Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D. “Now it’s our turn to be proactive in breaking the silence,” says the Foundation’s New York Women’s Committee Co-Chair Carole Mallement. Addressing the topic of stigma and how to face mental illness without fear of judgment departs from the Foundation’s standard programs that focus on science and research. 100 percent of dollars raised for research are invested in grants leading to advances and breakthroughs in brain and behavior research to help better understand the causes and develop new ways to effectively treat brain and behavior disorders. Since its inception in 1987, the Foundation has raised $328 million to fund over 4,800 grants to more than 3,800 leading scientists at 518 universities and medical centers around the world.

Levine:WoodruffConversation — Ellen Levine in conversation with Lee Woodruff at the Foundation’s New York Women’s Luncheon (*photo by Chad David Kraus)*

Approximately 300 supporters were in attendance to listen to a conversational exchange between Editorial Director Ellen Levine of Hearst Magazines and Advocate, Author, Philanthropist Lee Woodruff. Levine received the first annual Media Award by the American College of Neuropsycho-pharmacology for highlighting mental illness in numerous articles published in Good Housekeeping. Woodruff discussed a family history of mental illness. She recalled, when she was younger, there were no real in-depth conversations or explanations as to why her mother was “in bed in a dark room under the covers.” Her father would simply say her mom was sad and needed to feel better.

Woodruff:AnnLaitmanFinal — Westchester resident Lee Woodruff with NY Women’s Committee Member Dr. Ann Laitman of Bedford, NY

Woodruff shared her personal struggle with situational depression that ensued after husband Bob Woodruff sustained a critical brain injury from a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2006 while reporting for ABC’s World News Tonight. Woodruff acknowledged the traumatic event took its toll on her own mental health. Woodruff described her situational depression as a secret sadness and that it came as an enormous relief to share her story. “There needs to be a national message of openness without shame or stigma attached,” states Woodruff. When Levine asked Woodruff what helped her to push through the secret sadness, Woodruff referred to the four Fs—family, friends, faith, and funny—mentioned in her book, In an Instant, wherein Lee and Bob Woodruff chronicle their inspirational family journey back to recovery.

Today, the Woodruffs are fully focused on giving back in a big way. Bob and Lee Woodruff founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation that has raised more than $20 million to help veterans successfully reintegrate into their communities and help veterans receive critical longterm care. The Bob Woodruff Foundation’s website mentions that, sometimes, injuries sustained can lead to a series of other issues — unemployment, depression, substance abuse, even suicide. “Our veterans deserve our full support,” states Woodruff.

Click here to learn more about the Woodruffs and the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Click here to learn more about the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Janine Crowley Haynes, Chappaqua resident and author My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World

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