Mental Health Awareness Month | |
Mental Health on the Minds of Many | |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we are seeing increased incidents around the country, including the unfortunate attack this week at Congressman Gerry Connolly’s office. Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us to fight stigma, provide support, increase awareness and remind individuals of the services that exist to support the millions of people impacted by mental health issues. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly one in five people experience a mental health concern each year. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, you are not alone and resources are available. | |
Recently, here on the Richmond Highway Corridor, the Growth & Healing HUB (7686 Richmond Hwy) opened to serve our younger residents with their own facility for mental health and wellness services. The HUB will serve the 17,000 + children, young adults and families living in our diverse community, an area that is in need of more mental health treatment options. I am especially pleased that the HUB has committed to not turn away anyone who is seeking help, even if they cannot afford it. The HUB will be working with County and community agencies such as schools and non-profits, to address the mental health equity gaps. Services available at the HUB include Individual & Family Counseling, Medication Management, Group Counseling, Teletherapy, In-Home Services, Client-Centered and Strength-Based Focus and more.
Just this week, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital opened a new behavioral health unit, expanding adult mental health care along the corridor. The nearly $10 million facility will increase mental health capacity at the hospital by 67% to 50 beds. The Inova Veatch Behavioral Health Unit features 20 additional beds, private rooms, “quiet” spaces, modernized equipment and enhanced safety features.
I believe strongly that we need to do more to support our youth in their mental health needs, and particularly since COVID, we are not doing enough. In Fairfax County, we strive to provide valuable mental health resources to our residents, and I continue to advocate for more. Read more for additional resources.
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Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia Mental Health Town Hall
Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m.
Virtual
Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia (RPSV), a nonprofit that operates five free Recovery Centers and weekly virtual support groups in Northern Virginia is hosting a free virtual Town Hall: Free Alternatives That Complement Traditional Mental Health and Substance Use Care. The event is in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and is designed to address the stigma around mental health while encouraging individuals to seek care. Register.
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Mental Health Services Available Through the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB)
In a mental health or substance use emergency, Community Services Board (CSB) can help and is just a phone call away.
- Call CSB Emergency Services at (703) 573-5679, TTY 711.
- For non-emergency CSB services, call CSB Entry & Referral Services during normal business hours, Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Friday 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., at (703) 383-8500, TTY 711. Staff can take calls in English and Spanish and can access interpreters for other languages when needed.
Learn more about accessing quality care for children and youth on the Healthy Minds Fairfax website. CSB also offers in-person and online training courses and tools to all residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax. Read more for additional resources.
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Speed Limit Change on Richmond Highway
Over the last two years, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been studying the speed limit on Richmond Highway between Jeff Todd Way/Mount Vernon Memorial Highway and the Alexandria city limits to reduce the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph. This will optimize safety and operations for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and transit users.
In August 2021, after hearing from the community and me about safety concerns along the Richmond Highway corridor, VDOT began a study assessing the current 45 mph speed limit, with two public information meetings held in November 2021 and July 2022. The study team formally recommended lowering the speed limit to 35 mph between Jeff Todd Way/Mount Vernon Memorial Highway and the Alexandria southern city limits due in part to the segment’s high crash rate. The team also found that Richmond Highway between Buckman Road/Mount Vernon Highway and the Alexandria southern city limits had a higher incidence of pedestrian/bicycle crashes and speed-related crashes compared to other sections of Richmond Highway.
While I strongly support the need for safety improvements on Richmond Highway, and support the public engagement done at the beginning of this process, I am very disappointed in the lack of public engagement when the study was completed and a final decision to lower the speed was made. Just recently my office was notified that the speed is being lowered and that signs displaying the new 35 mph speed limit will be installed May 23 along the approximately seven-mile stretch of Richmond Highway. This is a VDOT and state decision, so if you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact your State Senators and Delegates, as well as my office.
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Construction on Two Mount Vernon Trail Bridges
The National Park Service (NPS) began a project on Monday, May 15 to replace Bridges 23 & 24 on the Mount Vernon Trail south of Alexandria within Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve and near Belle Haven Park (see image). This project will replace and widen the bridges from 10 to 14 ft., add new pedestrian safe handrails and rehabilitate a bench and overlook on Bridge 23. During the project, trail users will be detoured around the construction area on the adjacent road (northbound section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway). NPS will reduce the northbound section to one motor vehicle lane and install temporary concrete barriers between the road and the detour on the roadway to protect trail users. Learn more.
Construction will take place in two phases:
- The first bridge to be worked on will be Bridge 24 (the northernmost bridge). Work began on May 15 and is set to finish around July.
- Work will then shift to the larger bridge, Bridge 23 in July. Work will occur on this bridge from July 2023 to April 2024, when the project will be completed.
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Virtual Community Meetings on the Richmond Highway Transportation Funding Plan
Wednesday, May 24, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Join Teams
Phone: 571-429-5982
Access Code: 2392240#
Thursday, May 25 , noon - 1:00 p.m.
Join Teams
Phone: 571-429-5982
Access Code: 858865420#
Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold two virtual meetings to present information about the Richmond Highway Transportation Funding Plan. Learn about the plan and the transportation infrastructure projects included within the plan. On March 20, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved the Embark Richmond Highway Comprehensive Plan. There also were 11 follow-on motions, one of which directed Fairfax County staff to develop a funding plan for the recommended transportation infrastructure improvements. Since then, the FCDOT has developed a list of dozens of recommended projects and conceptual designs in the Richmond Highway corridor. These recommendations come from the Comprehensive Plan Area Plans, Bicycle Master Plan and Countywide Trails Plan.
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Community Information & Events | |
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May is Older Americans and Adult Abuse Prevention Month
May is Older Americans and Adult Abuse Prevention Month, a time for us to honor the contributions and achievements of older Americans and acknowledge the importance of keeping older adults safe from abuse, neglect or exploitation. Learn more.
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2023 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year
Congratulations to La Toya Berryman and Lakisha Bell who have been recognized as the 2023 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year by the Metropolitan Council of Governments. Watch the video below to learn about their story and impact. Today, nearly 200 Fairfax County children are in foster care. The Department of Family Services’ Foster Care and Adoption Program offers temporary foster homes for these children and services to help their families. Learn more about becoming a foster parent.
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Be Stroke Smart - Learn Warning Signs and Act Fast
Strokes — brain damage caused by a lack of blood flow — are the number one cause of long-term disability in the U.S with one in six people being affected. Fairfax County has been proclaimed as Stroke Smart — an initiative from the Virginia Department of Health that aims to reduce disability and death from strokes by educating the public to recognize the signs of a stroke and to be confident calling 9-1-1 immediately when necessary. Learn more.
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Fairfax County Doubles Affordable Housing Goal to 10,000 Units
The Board of Supervisors recently doubled its affordable housing goal to 10,000 units by 2034. The Residences at Government Center II, a new housing development, will feature solar panels, EV charging, park, childcare center and community space. Learn more.
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COVID-19 Emergency Ended May 11: What to Know Now
The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that has been in place since early 2020 ended on May 11, 2023. The Public Health Emergency ended because we have made progress in addressing COVID-19 and can transition away from the emergency phase. It does not mean that the virus that causes COVID-19 is no longer a threat. Learn more.
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Volunteers Needed for Older Adults, Adults with Disabilities and Family Caregivers
Volunteer Solutions - in Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services - offers meaningful opportunities to help support older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers. The following volunteers are needed: drivers (for medical appointments, errands, grocery shopping), social visitors, household organizers and more. Bilingual volunteers are needed. Senior Centers and Adult Day Healthcare Centers need activity assistants and skilled leaders. Form new connections and help decrease social isolation. Learn more.
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Fairfax Forward - HomeWise
Our County is committed to helping our residents keep their homes energy efficient. Through our HomeWise Program, we’ve so far distributed 370 home energy efficiency improvement kits to residents across the County. The program helps residents make small energy and water efficiency improvements in their homes to conserve resources and save money. Learn more.
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Park Site Briefing: Quander Road Proffer
Wednesday, May 24, 11 a.m.
6318 Quander Road, Alexandria
The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to invite you to a short briefing and community event to lay the foundation of upcoming work related to the property at 6318 Quander Road. Join Park Authority staff as they provide an overview of the property, a description of the conservation easements in place and discuss opportunities for the property. Staff will also take questions and outline opportunities for community involvement in the process. There are no structures or seating available on the site. Roadside parking is limited, carpooling is recommended. Questions may be directed to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Public Information Office at [email protected] or by calling (703) 246-5092.
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