WBFO-FM
How a walk to UB’s counseling center saved a student’s life
For Emily Tout, a current UB student in grad school completing a dual degree in social work and law, seeing a counselor saved her life.
FEATURED STORIES
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
WBFO’s Mental Health Initiative is to normalize the conversation about mental illness by bringing this issue from the shadows into everyday light. This two-year project will provide in-depth coverage of mental health issues and help to build the mental health literacy of our community.This two-year project will provide in-depth coverage of mental health issues and help to build the mental health literacy of our community.
WBFO's Mental Health Initiative
WBFO's Mental Health Initiative is funded by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation.
WBFO-FM
Learning to cope
For Nelson Clark, the battle with mental illness came in his early days of college.
WBFO-FM
Thriving With Mental Illness Pt. 3 of 3
In this video series, we hear from people living with mental illness from depression to bi-polar and schizophrenia, sharing the stories of the illness they face.
Community Conversations
Let's Talk | Mental Health in the African American Community | Watch Now
WBFO's Mental Health Initiative
Let's Talk: Mental Health in the African American Community
African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental illness than the general population--why?
Source: The Health and Human Services Office of Minority HealthLet's Talk | Mental Health in the African American Community
African Americans are disproportionately more likely to suffer from mental health issues than white Americans. According the US Department of Health and Human Services, in 2015 African Americans were 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than white Americans, and African Americans are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia as white Americans. Despite these statistics, African Americans are less likely to receive behavioral treatment. Why?
In early October the community was invited to Let's Talk, and open discussion of Mental Health in the African American Community at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library. Host Karl Shallowhorn from the Community Health Center of Buffalo was joined by Keli-Koran Luchey, At-Risk School Counselor at Sweet Home High School, Mental Health therapist Erin M. Moss, Kelly Marie Woffard of Front Seat Life, and Pastor George Nicholas from Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church.
Local Mental Health Resources:
Crisis Services Hotline: 716-834-3131
NAMI in Buffalo and Erie County: 716-226-6264; namibuffalony.org
Mental Health Advocates of WNY: 716-886-1242; mhawny.org
Community Health Center of Buffalo: 716-986-9199; chcb.net
Support for the WBFO Mental Health Initiative is provided by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation.
WBFO-FM
Let's Talk: Mental Health in the African American Community
As part of our Mental Health Inititative, WBFO held a Facebook Live discussion at the Merriweather Library on Jefferson Avenue Tuesday night.
WBFO's Mental Health Initiative Facebook Live events are an engaging way to connect with the community through social media. Each event is focused on a singular topic and brings different experiences and perspectives together into one conversation.
The first in this series of Facebook Live events focused on the changes in mental health treatment over the years. In our second Facebook Live event we examined the New York State mandate for teaching mental health. For our third event we went inside Crisis Services where 24/7/ hotlines are open to respond to citizens in need. Watch them online now.
During a recent Facebook Live event, "Living With Mental Illness at 22," WBFO reporter Nick Lippa was joined in conversation with Kaitlyn Ledzian and Juliana Hill, both 22 years old and both youth peer advocates with Mental Health Advocates of Western New York. Watch then online now below.
Watch Online Now | Living With Mental Illness at 22 | Facebook Live Event
WBFO was Live on Facebook with "Living With Mental Illness at 22"
Living with Mental Illness at 22
The statistics are concerning:
- One in five young people, ages 13-15, experience a severe mental disorder at some point in their life.*
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth age 10-24 and 90% of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness.**
*Any Disorder Among Children. (n.d.) Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/any-disorder-among-children.shtml
** Isometsa, E.T., (2001). Psychological Autopsy Studies - A Review. European Psychiatry, 16(7), 379-85. Retrieved December 6, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11728849
As part of our Mental Health initiative, WNED|WBFO hosted a Facebook Live event on the topic of mental illness among young people.
WBFO reporter Nick Lippa was joined in conversation with Kaitlyn Ledzian and Juliana Hill, both 22 years old and both youth peer advocates with Mental Health Advocates of Western New York.
Youth peer advocates have lived experience, meaning they have a mental illness that is stabilized, and are credentialed to assist other young people who are experiencing mental illness.
They talked about the rise of anxiety, depression and suicide among youth.
Watch the recording on our website or join the conversation on WBFO’s Facebook page
Latest Stories from the WBFO Mental Health Initiative
More on Mental Health from Public Media
FRONTLINE
Right to Fail
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Investigating the NY effort to let those with severe mental illnesses live on their own.
On Point |
ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Shares Her Story Of 'Life After Suicide'
The national suicide epidemic hits home for ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton. Her new book is "Life After Suicide."
PBS NewsHour
Why we can’t ‘arrest ourselves out of’ mental illness
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Mental illness ‘is not a problem that we can arrest ourselves out of’
PBS NewsHour
Why mental illness 'should never be a crime'
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A mother's story of why mental illness 'should never be a crime'
PBS NewsHour
In Liberia, mental illness is the new health crisis
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In Liberia, survivors of Ebola and civil war now struggle with mental illness
PBS NewsHour
New generation faces mental ‘wounds of war’
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New generation faces mental ‘wounds of war’
PBS NewsHour
Journalist's journey guided by her father's illness
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A journalist's journey, guided by curiosity for her father's illness
PBS NewsHour
Crisis team helps those with mental health issues avoid jail
10:06
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An estimated 2 million people suffering from mental illness are booked into county jails.
PBS NewsHour
'Portraits of Resilience' destigmatize depression at MIT
6:42
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Students at MIT are now part of a project to give a face and voice to a growing crisis.
PBS NewsHour
What it’s like to be arrested while suffering mental illness
3:10
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Paton Blough uses his experiences to help train police officers in crisis management.
PBS NewsHour
Treating mental illness with medicine and religion in India
7:26
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Treating mental illness with medicine and religion in India
PBS NewsHour
Mental illness consumed my marriage -- until this epiphany
3:27
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Why we should redefine how we cope with illnesses to include the voice of caregivers.
PBS NewsHour
Refugees in need of mental health help flounder on Lesbos
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Middle Eastern refugees are in need of mental health help on the island of Lesbos.
PBS NewsHour
Kids and smartphones: What's the mental health impact?
6:50
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Smartphones have changed the way kids live and interact, prompting growing concerns.
PBS NewsHour
More on smartphones
8:05
Published:
An increasingly wireless world is taking a toll on an entire generation's mental health.
PBS NewsHour
The devastating, underdiagnosed toll of toxic stress on kids
3:20
Published:
The devastating, underdiagnosed toll of toxic stress on kids
Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein
Technology and Mental Health
26:59
Published:
Learn how social media and smart phone technologies can help people monitor themselves.
Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein
Youth and Mental Health: Early Intervention
26:56
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Early intervention by parents can be a major factor in children’s mental health.
Side Effects Public Media
Out Of Options
Parents Of Children With Mental Illness Trade Custody For Treatment
Missouri HEalth TAlks
Mental Health and Disability
'I Was Depressed Before I Was Blind"
RESOURCES
General Support
For general support, help finding a counselor or mental health resource in in Erie County, contact The Mental Health Advocates of WNY at 716-886-1242
Link: http://www.eriemha.org/
NAMI-Buffalo & Erie County
Link: http://namibuffalony.org/
NYS Office of Mental Health
Link: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/bootstrap/providers.html
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for Primary Care
Link: www.cappcny.org/home
Just Tell One Campaign:
Link: http://justtellone.org/
Several of the counties and agencies in WNY have compiled lists of providers:
In Erie County:
List of Providers
Link: http://www2.erie.gov/mentalhealth/index.php?q=list-contract-agencies
Assisted Outpatient Providers (Kendra's Law) Link: http://www2.erie.gov/mentalhealth/index.php?q=assisted-outpatient-treatment
Chemical Dependence Services
Link: http://www2.erie.gov/mentalhealth/index.php?q=erie-county-chemical-dependency-treatment-resource-guide
In Niagara County:
List of Providers
Link http://www.mhanc.com/programs-service-providers.php
In Chautauqua County:
List of Providers
Link: http://chautauqua.ny.us/DocumentCenter/View/1289/CCMH-Emergency-Phone-Numbers?bidId=
Campaigns
Just Tell One, from the Mental Health Association of Erie County
Link: http://justtellone.org/
Let’s Talk Stigma, from the Erie County Anti Stigma Coalition
Link: https://letstalkstigma.org/
Suicide Helplines and Prevention Resources
24 Hour Crisis Hotline Buffalo & Erie County
716-834-3131
24 Hour Addiction Hotline
716-831-7007
Kids Helpline
16-834-1144
1-877-KIDS-400
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255.
Allegany County
Crisis Line: 888-448-3367 (24 hour)
Chautauqua County Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline
1-800-724-0461
Cattaraugus County
Olean General Hospital 24 Hour Crisis Hotline 1-800-339-5209
Orleans County
The Care and Crisis Help Line
585-283-5200 Text: 741741
Niagara
24 Hour Crisis Services
716-285-3515
Genesee County
585-283-5200
Text: 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
https://afsp.org/chapter/afsp-western-new-york/
FEATURED VIDEOS
Just Tell One
How to Have Your Just Tell One Conversation On Mental Health
Telling one person about a mental health or addiction issue is a simple concept, but that doesn't make it easy. Youth and professionals explain the steps to starting the conversation.
PBS NewsHour
How students who struggle with mental illness can find help
These three high-achieving students at one of the world's most prestigious universities have also suffered crippling depression and been through years of therapy and medication. In the second part of his report, Jeffrey Brown hears how they got help with debilitating illness, then learns more about student mental health challenges and solutions from Alfiee Breland-Noble of Georgetown University.
Video/Audio from WBFO's Mental Health Initiative
WBFO
Dan & George; One man treats his depression by giving ba
It is estimated that 300-million people suffer from depression across the world. Experts say it's important to take action to deal with it. As part of our Mental Health Initiative, WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says a local attorney found a way to help others as a way of enhancing his own mood.
Erie County & Suicide prevention leaders kicked Suicide Prevention Week Tuesday. A yellow 'Flag of Hope' was hoisted up the flag pole in front of the county Rath Building in downtown Buffalo.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/eileen.buckley/videos/10155776108183441/
A woman who escaped domestic violence and conquered alcoholism is sharing her story to offer hope for others. Jillian James who says a women's shelter and food assistance saved her life.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/eileen.buckley/videos/10155690438383441
The focus of WBFO’s Mental Health Initiative is to normalize the conversation about mental illness by bringing this issue from the shadows into everyday light. This two-year project will provide in-depth coverage of mental health issues and help to build the mental health literacy of our community.
WBFO's Mental Health Initiative is funded by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation