24/7 Crisis Response Line
1-800-564-2578
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Nature reduces levels of mental distress
It has been a challenging 16 months. For many of us, the need to recharge is at the top of our summer “to-do” list. If you'd like some evidence-based research to confirm that getting out into nature is directly linked to improved mental health, here's an article with a link to a recent large-scale study (over 16,000 participants across 18 different countries in all four seasons!) in the EU that confirms visiting green and blue spaces (parks, lakes, and oceans) gives people a greater sense of psychological well-being and reduces levels of mental distress.
Looking for a nearby spot to explore? Our friends at the Upper Valley Trails Alliance suggest getting outdoors for a walk or hike on a local trail to benefit your physical AND mental health. We couldn't agree more! The UVTA's online TrailFinder, covering NH and VT, offers an easy way to locate a trail close to you at: www.trailfinder.info
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Annual Awards Presentation!
Our annual awards ceremony was held on Monday, June 28th at our Rivermill clinic in Lebanon. The 2021 Lilla McLane-Bradley Award for Mental Health Advocacy was presented by Pete Bleyler, our Board Chair, to Michael Whitman of Lyme, NH for his decades-long efforts helping suicide survivors through his work organizing and running support groups, and advocating for suicide prevention and awareness. The 2021 Fred Hesch Award for Excellence in Performance was presented by Roger Osmun, our CEO/President, to Shawn Cornell of Newport, NH. Shawn is our IT Director who, for the past 21 years, has helped his West Central colleagues help others through technology and processes that ensure access to our evidence-based mental health and substance use disorder services.
Congratulations to Michael and Shawn, and a resounding "thank you" to the award recipients (and their families), the presenters, our Board members, West Central staff, volunteers, and donors who all make our work possible and vital today and every day. (Visit our Awards webpage at this link to view past and present award winners.)
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Pictured from Left to right Pete Bleyler, Michael Whitman, Shawn Cornell, Roger Osmun
Photo Credit: DeeDee McHugh-Tichner
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Need to set up your first appointment? Call our 'New Client'
Appointment Line
603-542-5128
Teletherapy and in-person appointments
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Words of Support
Sometimes we get feedback we really want to share but can't due to confidentiality and privacy concerns. But here's a recent note from a West Central parent and donor that struck us as well worth passing along. It points to the need for mobile crisis response services as being critical for our region. And we're in the process of ramping up new 24/7 mobile crisis response teams to begin serving our communities in July!
"We were glad to support West Central Behavioral Health [through NH Gives]. I had to use the Crisis line earlier this year when our 13-year-old was having a mental health crisis and I'm really glad I had someone to talk to in such a scary time."
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Telehealth Expansion
We're excited to learn that U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen recently introduced legislation to permanently expand telehealth services under Medicare and allow people in rural areas without broadband to use audio services for care. We learned the power of telehealth and audio healthcare services during the pandemic, and we continue to reach many clients in these ways. Giving people access to our clinicians was and remains crucial to prevent crisis situations and ensure people receive care regardless of where they live, whether they have transportation, or despite a disability that might prevent them from leaving their homes.
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Article: Healthcare's Final Frontier
Our mental wellness often takes a back seat to our physical well-being. It is commonplace to openly discuss our physical ailments, but how comfortable are we talking about how we truly feel in body and mind? Dave Celone, our director of development & community relations, shines a light on the significance of talking about our mental health openly and without fear in this timely and candid article.
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Here at West Central...
We've moved! Our administrative office have relocated to our Lebanon clinic at 85 Mechanic Street in the Rivermill complex. We're also continuing our efforts to get our staff fully vaccinated to help protect our clients and ourselves. And, we're reconvening group therapy sessions with air purifiers and CO2 monitors to help with indoor air quality.
We still require masks at all our locations.
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Rivermill Building
Photo credit:
DeeDee McHugh-Tichner
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On Relaxation...
Please take some time this weekend as we celebrate our country's 244th birthday on July 4th to take a breath and think of some small thing to be thankful for. Finding even a little bit of joy during your day will bring you to a more relaxed state of mind. And it might help you find a moment of happiness. Happy Independence Day from all of us at West Central!
We're hiring!
Positions available include Mobile Crisis Response Clinicians, Peer Support Specialists, Team Leaders, Clinical Secretaries, Residential Specialists, Mental Health Therapists, Adult & Child Case Managers, and more. If you have an interest in helping others who truly need help, there's no more gratifying work than in community behavioral health. Please Click Here to visit our Careers web page to find your next professional step that will make a world of difference for others and help you feel good about the work you do!
On Vaccinations...
At this time, both NH and VT are vaccinating anyone 12 years of age or older regardless of residency. Vaccines are now available in many NH and VT pharmacies. On June 30, all state-run vaccination sites in NH are closed. The vaccine will still be offered by hospitals, doctor's offices, and through local clinics. You can register for a COVID-19 vaccine at vaccines.nh.gov or by calling 2-1-1. And for VT, Click Here to learn more.
Holiday Closing
West Central's offices are closed on Monday, July 5th in observance of Independence Day.
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Do you appreciate what we're doing for our community? If you're reading this and are able to make a gift to us, please do. We're a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit serving clients in the Upper Valley and Sullivan County with offices in Lebanon, Claremont, and Newport, NH. Last year, we extended nearly $600,000 in charitable care to vulnerable people in need of our services. No gift is too small, and we accept monthly recurring contributions on our giving webpage. Gifts of any size make a difference to help us save lives. You can help, too.
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Share This Newsletter...You Might Save a Life |
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This newsletter is sent monthly to West Central staff, Board & Committee members, and our many friends and supporters. Please share it with your friends and family so people remember our name and the work we do as this region's community mental health, substance use disorder, and 24/7 crisis response center.
When people in need know who we are,
they'll contact us before a crisis occurs.
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24/7 Crisis Response Line
1-800-564-2578
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