Since 1962
Advocacy has been at the core of what we do.
When you or a family member is struggling with mental illness, it can be hard to know where to turn. If you are looking for answers, we can help navigate the mental healthcare system and offer links to treatment and other support services. There is hope and we are here to help.
THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES OF WNY PROVIDES:
- PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES in civil matters for individuals with a mental health diagnosis
- PEER SUPPORT GROUPS for youth, parents, 20-somethings and adults
- INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICE to link individuals to treatment and other services
- CHILD AND FAMILY SUPPORT to help families navigate the mental healthcare system and provide peer support
- EMOTIONAL SKILLS TRAINING, PREVENTION & EARLY INTERVENTION in-school and virtual programs for students pre-k through 12
- WORKPLACE MENTAL WELL-BEING helping employees and employers achieve work-life balance
our programs
Our programs are varied and diverse – offering non-clinical services that promote mental well-being and provide assistance with navigating the mental health delivery system, referrals to clinics and mental health professionals, workshops, support groups, and community education training.
BEST: Basic Emotional Skills Training
BEST is an evidence-based classroom program that helps students in Pre-K through Second Grade develop the healthy social and emotional skills they need to be successful in school and in life.
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Child & Family Support Program
Having a child with emotional and behavioral difficulties can be overwhelming. This peer-run program helps families get the services and support they need. CFSP family peer advocates share a common bond with the families we help; they all have a child, grandchild or foster child who has serious behavioral or emotional difficulties. This allows us to provide support and advocacy from the perspective of truly understanding the difficult situations families face on a daily basis.
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Court Appointed
Special Advocates
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a program of trained, dedicated volunteers assigned by Family Court judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are an independent voice. Their mission is to make sure that the child’s needs are met and that they don’t fall through the cracks.
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Just Tell One
JustTellOne.org (JT1) is a peer-to-peer prevention and early intervention awareness campaign targeted to teens and young adults focusing on depression, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse. Its mission is to give youth the tools, language and confidence to start the conversation about their mental or behavioral health issues.
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Legal Services
Legal Services provides pro bono (free) civil legal services and advocacy for mental health consumers and their families, including representation in Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, Medicare, housing, family and consumer matters.
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Mindset: A Path to Workplace Mental Well-being
Mindset is a collection of innovative research-based programs that help organizations create mentally healthy workplaces and employees. Mindset helps open up the conversation and reduce stigma around mental health issues.
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Operation COM (Children of the Military)
Operation C.O.M. is an interactive program created to support our children of the military. Designed to establish positive coping skills to help children deal with the stresses of deployment, encourage them to express their feelings, strengthen their self-confidence, and have fun.
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Youth Peer Advocates
Certified youth peer advocates (YPAs) use their own lived experience to connect with at-risk youth through peer-led support groups, educational trainings, and 1:1 non-crisis support for youth and young adults ages 13-26.
VIEW PROGRAMSee You at the Movies!
Tickets on sale now for Unleash the Superhero Within at the Transit Drive–in on August 11, 2021. Join us for an evening of fun with movies, superheroes, raffles, and games. Purchase your tickets here!
All proceeds support MHA’s essential work in children’s and youth mental health.
Do You Need Help?
Information & referral specialists are available M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm to help link you to community resources, providers, or treatment services.
Call (716) 886-1242.
Event Calendar
Check out the calendar of community events which offer something for everyone such as family activities & support groups.
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