September is Suicide Prevention Month, and Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC) is offering various resources to the community. More details about them can be found at http://www.mhalancaster.org/suicide-prevention-month-2020.
The Back to School Toolkit helps students, parents and school personnel navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19. The MHA Bundle of Solutions offers adults and children help with unmet mental health needs, including free counseling sessions, mental health copay assistance, medication assistance, financial assistance and virtual support groups. Free, confidential mental health screenings are available 24/7.
MHA National, the parent organization of MHA Lancaster County, has nationwide resources. More information may be found at http://www.mhanational.org.
The public is invited to schedule a time to pick up a stack of suicide prevention wallet cards that may be left in sitting areas, in restrooms and on information tables. They include warning signs and phone numbers to call in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
People who visit http://www.facebook.com/mhalancaster throughout September are invited to share or copy and repost all suicide prevention posts.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainings will take place on Fridays, Sept. 11, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. A certified trainer will teach participants how to recognized the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question and persuade someone and refer them to help. Anyone may attend, and registration is available at http://www.mhalancaster.org/our-programs/wellness-academy. Customized, shorter trainings are available upon request by emailing mha@mhalancaster.org.
Virtual Support Groups are free, confidential groups available for many mental health conditions as an alternative to, or in addition to, traditional counseling. For more information, readers may visit http://www.mhalancaster.org/updates-page-covid-19-responses-mha-programs-services.
The Child and Adult Advocacy program helps people understand laws, rules, regulations and local services. More information is available at http://www.mhalancaster.org/our-programs/advocacy-services/. A self-care guide, including contact information for an advocate, is available at http://www.mhalancaster.org/wp-content/uploads/Self-Care-Flyer-MHA-Final.pdf.
Resources related to mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic have been posted at http://www.mhalancaster.org/coronavirus-mental-health-resource-page.
MHALC has partnered with Lancaster County Prison to provide mental health support to incarcerated individuals. Readers may learn more at http://www.mhalancaster.org/our-programs/prison-program.
Various hotlines are available as follows: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8255); Línea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio, 888-628-9454; Crisis Text Line, Text "MHA" to 741-741; Safe2Say, 844-723-2729 or http://www.safe2saypa.org; Veteran Crisis Line, 800-273-TALK (8255); Disaster Distress Helpline, 800-985-5990; Get Help Now Line (substance use disorders), 800-662-4357; Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Helpline, 888-772-7227 or https://pcar.org/help-in-pa; National Domestic Violence Helpline, 800-799-7233 or http://www.PCADV.org; United Way of Pennsylvania, text ZIP code to 898-211 or visit http://www.uwp.org/211gethelp; Pennsylvania's Support and Referral Helpline, 855-284-2494 or TTY 724-631-5600; Lancaster County Crisis Line, 717-394-2631; and MHALC no-cost, one-to-one, non-emergency guidance and ongoing support, 717-397-7461 or mha@mhalancaster.org.
Donations may be made to the new Dr. Ronald Krak Mental Health Recovery Fund, created to expand mental health services and support for Lancaster County families and their loved ones impacted by mental illness. Donations can be made at http://www.classy.org/give/297110/#!/donation/checkout.
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