The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

MHA of Westchester

An Evening of Conversation and Song with Judy Collins

by

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

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

Sponsors

Gold Record
Westchester Medical Center

Chart Topper
Clarfeld
New York Presbyterian
Drs. Robert and Ann Mandel Laitman
Kate S. and Michael Lombardi
Gerald Stern and Carla Pasquali
Yvonne Tropp and Alan Epstein

Top 40
Regeneron
Janet Z. Segal
Meryl A. Allison and Elisa E. Burns, MD
Nora and Jonathan Contract
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Patrice Ingrassia and Christine Broda
Peter and Michele Sloane

Media Sponsors
Inside Armonk
Inside Chappaqua
Westchester Magazine
WHUD

Design Contest for MHA of Westchester Tee

by

Help Promote “The Conversation”

2015 design
2015 design

Calling all budding artists and graphic design gurus:
The MHA of Westchester wants to see your ideas for the third annual MHA on the move race t-shirt design contest!
This year, the event is all about “the conversation.” The more we talk about mental health, the easier it is for others to talk about it, too. So lend your voice today and submit your design for the back of the MHA shirt. One lucky winner will not only spark conversation with their artwork, they’ll also win a free race registration and a $50 gift card!”
To enter the contest, email your high resolution design (which should be no larger than 15″ x 15″) to catauros@mhawestchester.org or mail a hard copy to MHA on the move, 580 White Plains Road, Suite 510, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 23rd.

For more information, visit http://www.mhawestchester.org/. 

Mind/Body Connection Celebrated at MHA’s Mega Yoga Event

by

yoga2
Photos by Maria Larramendi

By Janine Crowley Haynes

On Wednesday night, the Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) held its third annual event, Get on Your Mat for Mental Health. The mega yoga event was to take place outdoors on Court Street in White Plains, but due to inclement weather, the venue was changed to the gym at Woodlands High School in Hartsdale.

Dr. Amy Kohn, CEO of MHA of Westchester, expressed having to move the event indoors was a bit of a letdown, but as the event got underway, she–and over 400 supporters–were not disappointed in the least.

The band, Answer the Muse, played while supporters blanketed the entire gym floor with yoga mats and waited with excitement for renowned yoga teacher, Matthew Sanford.

Matt is the author of the award-winning book, Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence. He shares his story of the devastating car accident which claimed the lives of his father and sister and left him paralyzed from the chest down at the age of 13. Now, at 45, Matt is an inspirational trailblazer in the health care community.

yoga1He is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Mind Body Solutions, whose goal, amongst many, is to “transform trauma, loss, and disability into hope and potential by awakening the connection between mind and body.”

Since MHA’s mission statement is, Recovery for All, it seems only natural their organization shed light on the benefits of mind-body connection through the practice of yoga, and MHA could not have found a better teacher.

“Your body is the best home your mind will ever have,” says Matt, as the crowd collectively transitions from downward dog into child’s pose.

What yoga does for the mind-body connection, MHA seems to be doing on a broader scale–extending its reach to promote health and wellbeing to connect us to each other, thereby, creating a deeper sense of community. Namaste.

Janine Crowley Haynes of Chappaqua is the author of My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World.

MHA’s 5K Run/Walk & 1-Mile Kids’ Race: The Inside Press Rallies for Mental Health!

by

MHA on the Move 2013 Hector M(207)On Sunday, May 4th, you have the opportunity to join your neighbors and go the extra kilometer for mental health in our community.  Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines are media sponsors and residents, Cathy Gursha, Judy Fuhrer, Sharon and Alan Pollack and Seven Bridges librarian, Karen Baker are all Race Ambassadors. Whether you run or walk or volunteer, your participation helps raise the money that makes mental health services more accessible to community members who need it most. With the data now showing that 1 in 5 live with a mental health condition, more effective help and better resources are essential.

The Mental Health Association of Westchester’s MHA on the move 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kids’ Race is from 8am to noon at FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights, NY. Celebrating ten years, it’s an inspiring, fun, family-friendly community-wide event. Eight-time Emmy winner, WCBS’s Lou Young will kick off the event along with 10th Anniversary co-chairs Ann Mandel Laitman from Bedford, Amy Collins, of Somers and Randi Silverman, from Dobbs Ferry.

Children get their own fun warm-up and 1-Mile Kids’ Race (ages 4-12) plus ribbons for each runner and medals for the top three girls and boys. Everyone gets healthy food and a fun morning in the park. All participants receive a free t-shirt. Runners enjoy a race timed by the Taconic Road Runners with medals awarded in each age category as well as overall top male/female. Walkers get a 5K walk in the park.  Parking is free.  For more information and to register, visit www.mhawestchester.org

MHA is a community-based mental health agency that has been helping Westchester County residents for 68 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. MHA supports 18,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services striving to help each individual to achieve their personal goals and to lead independent and healthy lives.

Fema grant for Sandy Crisis Counseling to MHA

by

The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA)  has been chosen to provide crisis counseling assistance through the program,  Project Hope, part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s $8.2 million grant from FEMA. The mandate:  To deliver immediate mental health crisis counseling to individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy.  A team of twelve has already been assembled and will soon begin visiting the 11,000 individuals in Westchester and Rockland estimated to have been impacted.

Those at emotional risk after a traumatic storm such as Sandy are children; older adults; people with prior trauma, disabilities, serious mental illnesses and substance abuse problems and feelings or sense of hopelessness; people with low-incomes; first responders and other public safety workers.

Symptoms include irritability, poor concentration, low mood and hopelessness, isolation, discouragement, grief over losses and alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to contact Project Hope, call 914-345-5900 extension 7543 or 7544.

MHA of Westchester is a community-based mental health agency that has been helping Westchester County residents for 66 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. MHA supports 20,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services striving to help each individual to achieve their personal goals and to lead independent, healthy and successful lives. For information, visit www.mhawestchester.org