What we do:
The Mental Health Association in Essex County, originally established as the Mental Hygiene Association in 1966, has been a pillar of support and advocacy for mental health in the community for decades. Today, we proudly offer comprehensive services to adults across Essex County, assisting them on their journey to recovery from mental illness and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.
Who we are:
MHA in Essex County provides services to individuals over the age of 18 except for CORE peer services, the minimum age is 21. Although we can’t Provide Medicaid billable CORE services to individuals under 21, we do have certified peers who can provide non-billable services under some of our other programs.
What services we provide:
Services are listed below.
Contact Person:
Michael Gaddor
Office: (518) 412- 6157
Cell: (518) 572- 4122
Is a referral needed?
Yes
MHA Services Available to Young Adults
Mobile Crisis Services:
Mobile Crisis services are available to all individuals who have reached their 18th birthday. Services are accessed via the MHA website and clicking on the “Mobile Crisis Referral” button.
MHA’s mobile crisis staff includes Certified Recovery Peer Advocates who have lived experience with opioid use disorder, and we outreach all individuals identified by OD mapping in Essex County. Our staff do not provide substance abuse services, but we have extensive experience in linking individuals with substance abuse services and can facilitate same- day buprenorphine prescriptions. We also host the Alliance for Positive Health on the 4th Monday of every month for a needle exchange from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at our Westport building.
Health Home Case Management Services:
Health Home Case Management Services are accessed via an AHI Community Referral Form (See “Referral Form” Button above) and are provided to individuals with two chronic conditions and/or are severely and persistently mentally ill. Case managers are experienced at obtaining and maintaining benefits, advocating with providers, and assisting individuals with social determinants of health.
Non-Medicaid case management services:
Non- Medicaid case management services are accessed via an Essex County Single Point of Access (SPOA) application. Individuals without Medicaid or who have not yet obtained Medicaid receive these case management services until they are eligible for health home case management services.
Supported Housing Services:
Supported Housing Services are also accessed through a SPOA application (See “SPOA Application” button above). Rental Stipends equal up to 70% of the individuals housing costs are paid by MHA until the individual becomes eligible for HUD housing assistance. During this period the individual is visited a minimum of monthly to work on client-centered goals and objectives.
Health and Recovery Center:
Health and Recovery services are available via a simple one-page referral (See “Referral Form” button above) and consist of weekly opportunities for socialization. Hybrid psychosocial groups happen each Wednesday from 10:30am to 2:00pm. Customers who wish to attend in-person are provided with transportation. Light snacks and coffee are provided. During the summer the MHA has picnics for consumers at various local parks. Typically, about 20 consumers attend and we would love to see some young people in groups. This is where consumers network with each other and develop support networks. Consumers who attend our H&R Center have certified peers available to them as well as computer equipment with internet access.
Education and Employment Services:
Education and Employment services are available via our one-page referral form (See “Referral Form” button above) to all adults over the age of 18. Education services can involve assistance with obtaining a GED, registering for college, and actual tutoring in subjects. Employment Services can include basic job readiness, job search, advocacy with employers, and job coaching onsite.
Peers in the E.R.:
Peers in the E.R. is a new program where E.R staff or the patient can request a certified peer to assist the patient in understanding what is going on, provide companionship and empathy, and otherwise make the E.R trip less traumatic. Peers in the E.R. operates on weekdays from 3:00pm to 9:00pm.