Chester County Intermediate Unit:

"From in-school support to partial hospitalization to behavioral health wraparound services, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) works alongside families and schools to assist students in prevailing over the challenges of behavioral and mental health disorders".  Info obtained from CCIU website

The Office of Mental Health is an administrative office that contracts with local agencies to provide mental health services and supports.  Typically, residents without health insurance may qualify for some county funding.  Six local agencies serve as entry points to assess needs and help provide services.

The overall goals continue to provide support, and resources necessary to make positive life experiences for our youth. We focus on empowerment, boundaries, and expectations with a commitment to learning, create positive values, learn social competencies and create a positive identity in every student all in a supervised, safe environment. All of our programs are designed around these goals. " From their website

"Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force’s mission is decreased suicide through increased awareness and education in the community. CCSP Task Force collaborates with the community to develop suicide prevention strategies and works to reduce the risk, stigma and occurrence of suicide in Chester County, Pennsylvania."  Information obtained from their website

From their facebook page "As parents with our own lived experience through our own children who have challenges, we  have a strong passion and  professional experience to mentor parents and caregivers through their own journey within various systems in Chester County.   Our family support specialists provide encouragement, resources, guidance through systems, linkages to benefits and services, and assist with self-advocacy.   In addition, Chesco LIFE  hosts educational workshops and groups. Family support is provided at no cost to residents of Chester County. Contact us at 484-348-6392 or chescolife@accessservices.org ."

From their website:  "We are an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) serving our local Chester County, Pennsylvania Community."

825 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380

Phone: (610) 430-0177

2000 Old West Chester Pike
Havertown, Pennsylvania 19083
(484) 454-8700
www.cgrc.org

You are not alone!  Family members of individuals with a serious mental illness not only endure the initial shock of the illness, but also face a challenging future learning to cope with the responsibility of caring for an ill relative.

Because of discrimination and the stigma surrounding mental illness, many individuals and their families become isolated and feel shame.   This keeps many family members from seeking the help, support and information that they desperately need.

There is no need for you to feel alone because of a serious mental illness in your family.   There are resources available.

Support Groups – Family

• Central Chester County NAMI Family Support Group, West Chester 1st Wednesday of the month

7:15 – 9 pm

Peer Center

825 Paoli Pike

West Chester, PA 19380

This location meets every first Wednesday of the month all year long.  No need to RSVP.  

Lots of great info on this site, many support groups!

https://namimc.org/programs/

Every Sunday, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: West Chester Church of the Nazarene, 424 S Darlington Street, West Chester, PA US 19382

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.

Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life.
 

Childcare is available upon request .Please contact Nathanael if you would like childcare. We meet on Sunday nights in the Providence Café. For more information, contact Nathanael Manthey at 484-402-4182 or nathanael@providencewc.org. 

We begin at 6:00 in our cafe by singing a few worship songs together.After this, there is either a lesson from the Celebrate Recovery curriculum or a testimony. When this is over, newcomers stay in the room for an informational meeting to find out more about CR and if it is a good fit for them. Those who are not new attend an Open Share meeting which are gender specific where it is safe to share without fear of someone trying to "fix" you. When this time of sharing is over, we gather back in the cafe for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. We wrap up before 8:00. 

Chester County Family Services
140 N. Darlington Street
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-344-7028
Fax: 610-344-0762

Montgomery County Family Services
353 E. Johnson Highway
Norristown, PA 19401
Phone: 610-279-7372
Fax: 610-270-0626

www.AddictionCenter.com/Addiction/Veterans : support to military members seeking substance abuse recovery

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/wwp-resource-center

Resources for mental health struggles, PTSD, trauma

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/warrior-care-network

 If you are in crisis, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call 800.273.8255 (Para Español llame 888.628.9454). Veterans: Press "1" after you call, or go to Veterans Crisis Line to chat live with a crisis counselor at any time.  

• The WWP Resource Center can assist you with information regarding WWP programs and services to meet your specific needs. Email the WWP Resource Center at resourcecenter@woundedwarriorproject.org or call 888.WWP.ALUM (888.997.2586).
• Call the VA Health Benefits Service Center toll free at 1-877-222-VETS or explore My HealtheVet, which provides veterans help with VA health care information, services, and locations.
• Call the Vet Center's national number at 1-800-905-4675 or visit online for more information or to find the location nearest you.
• Locate non-veteran specific metal health services online through the Mental Health Services Locator hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Take a look at Sidran. They offer a referral list of therapists, as well as a fact sheet on how to choose a therapist for PTSD.

Information in this section obtained from the www.woundedwarriorproject.org website

 Inpatient Care Inpatient Acute Care*  Intended for people who need 24-hour care and daily doctor visits in a hospital setting to stabilize psychiatric issues. Often recommended for people who aren’t able to care for themselves, or may be a risk to the safety and well-being of themselves or others. Can last for a few days to several weeks . Goal is to stabilize a crisis . Includes group therapy and meeting with a team of professionals, including a psychiatrist.  A family session is important prior to discharge to discuss aftercare plans 

 Partial Hospitalization : Intense structured program ,typically consists of 5-7 days per week for 6 hours each day. Similar to IOP, includes group, individual, and family therapy when appropriate.  Often includes an evaluation by a psychiatrist, who may prescribe or adjust medications . Often recommended for those who have actively participated in lower levels of care, yet continue to experience serious emotional and behavioral problems. Beneficial for those at risk of   hospitalization, or as a step-down for those who have been hospitalized Inpatient Care  

 Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP):  Structured treatment that teaches how to manage stress, and better cope with emotional and behavioral issues.  May include group, individual, and family therapy when appropriate. Consists of frequent visits (usually 3-5 days per week) and an average of 3-4 hours of treatment per day for a set period of time (often 4-6 weeks, depending on the program) . Many programs are structured so individuals may work and continue with normal daily routines. The advantage of this type of program is that people have the support of the program, along with other people working on similar issues 

 Individual counseling – includes counseling sessions with a therapist. 

Medication evaluation and management - includes visits with a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner to determine if medication would be helpful 

 Group therapy – includes weekly group sessions with other people with mental health issues. In group therapy, people often learn from one another’s experiences.  

The above inforamtion obtained from Cigna Healthcare 

https://apps.cignabehavioral.com/cignabehavioral/media/consumer/educationAndResourceCenter/articles/levelsOfMentalHealth.pdf

"The Ringer Runner Benefit Inc. was created in 2016 in response to the loss of our friend, father and husband Joseph Ringhoffer. Joe was an avid runner, a resident of Chester Springs, an alumnus of Penn State University, and a victim of suicide.

Proceeds raised by Ringer Run Benefit contribute to local and regional suicide prevention and mental health awareness programs."

All Star Pediatrics has been a supporter of APTH since it's inception in 2018.  In fact, they were the site of our very first "LUNCH AND LEARN" program where we shared our experience and what we had learned along the way.