Since the #telehealth regulations have been put in place at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, more people were able to show up to their appointments and experience more satisfaction from their homes.

We are calling on state leaders to make permanent many of the telehealth changes that have been implemented during this pandemic.

“We have seen what health care providers and government can do when we work together and put patients first, and that philosophy of care needs to continue,” said Rose Duhan, CHCANYS President and CEO. “Our patients continue to face huge obstacles due to the COVID-19 pandemic; getting access to their caregivers should not be one of them.”

Read the joint White Paper from the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and Community Health Care Association of New York State : https://www.ehsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Make-Telehealth-Changes-Permanent-Press-Release.pdf

"Your health and well-being come first. If you don’t finish all of your schoolwork, fine. If you don’t make all of your meetings, fine. If you can’t please everyone, fine. If you need a day, or five, or more, you are not broken. You’re just healing."
You are more than a checklist." #recovery (via internal-acceptance-movement)

We are proud to announce that the Buffalo Common Council approved our contract with the Buffalo Police Department for the creation of the Behavioral Health Team this week.

Our team of social workers will assist Buffalo police calls involving mental health or substance abuse issues.​ They will then provide community-based intervention and general psychological assessments.

We greatly thank our community that helped make this happen. Buffalo Common Council Buffalo Police Department Mayor Byron W. Brown

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/social-workers-will-soon-be-working-with-the-buffalo-police-department

How to Help a Friend With Depression

1. Encourage them to talk, but don't be pushy. Let them know you're here to listen, and remind them that it's no trouble, and all you want to do is be supportive.

2. Listen. Give them your full attention and don't interrupt. Let them know you're listening intently, and to tell you when it's okay to say something.

3. Relating what's being said to a personal story is okay, but don't make it all about you. Use the example as it's intended: to show that you went through something similar, and your friend isn't alone, and it isn't hopeless.

4. Don't offer unsolicited advise. It's meant to be helpful, but can end up backfiring and coming across dismissive instead, or frustrating because your friend has already tried these things and they don't work. Be sure to ask if they want your input or just someone to listen.

5. Be careful not to stray into toxic positivity. It's helpful to suggest your friend see a doctor. It's less helpful to suggest your friend just needs to "think more positively," and "relax." Thinking positively can certainly help lift a mood, but remember that #depression directly interferes with a person's ability to form a positive thought.

6. Learn validating language. Statements like, "I'm sorry you're going through this," not only validates your friends situation but shows that you're sensitive to their pain without implying that they should somehow be stronger or deal with it better.

As always, for resources on seeking therapy and other tips & tricks, check out our tumblr: http://www.endeavorny.tumblr.com