Spring 2010 Newsletter

1. Contact/MHA offer groundbreaking Mental Health First Aid training
2. Contact/MHA partner with WCNY-TV and Excellus to bring attention to veterans’ challenges
3. Contact focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL) with summer training institute
4. Contact offers 24/7 coverage for HelpLine and MHA info and referral services
5. Children 1st receives state grant

Contact/MHA partner with WCNY-TV and Excellus to bring attention to veterans’ challenges

Throughout American history, service members have returned home from combat to face re-entry challenges of reconnecting with loved ones, resuming their jobs, or coping with physical and psychological wounds. They also face challenges unique to the particular war or conflict. Soldiers engaged in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11 have faced the stress of redeployment, financial and employment issues, and hidden injuries such as post-traumatic stress syndrome and traumatic brain injury. Friends, family and co-workers are often unsure how to support returning soldiers or encourage them to get help.

A locally-produced documentary, Our Veterans and Their Families: 21st Century Challenges will explore many of these issues on Monday, May 24th at 9 p.m. on WCNY-TV. Contact Community Services/Mental Health Association, through a grant from Excellus Blue Cross and Blue Shield, are partnering with WCNY to produce this video. It will air a second time over the Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 30 at 9:30 p.m.

The documentary will feature stories of Central New York veterans and their families as well as discussion with a mental health professional, physician, transition advocate and veterans. It will focus on four broad areas: mental health needs, redeployment stresses, reintegration needs and special needs of female veterans. Liz Ayers, WCNY-TV Vice President of Broadcast Development, will moderate.

This project is the culmination of a three-year grant from Excellus to help educate veterans and their families about mental health issues and services and encourage them to seek help.