Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA
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Support Our Programs


Warming Center at 1101 Peach Street

The Mental Health Association is offering:

Overnight shelter between the hours of 11:00pm -7:00am on winter nights when the temperature is forecast to drop to 20 degrees or below. The MHA will become a "Warming Center" for each night we are able to be open. Men, women, and families who are homeless, or otherwise unable to have shelter through the night, can come in from the cold to get warm, have something to eat, talk to someone, watch a movie and, above all, be safe. They may come for the night or may just come for a brief visit, but it is a welcoming place for those in need. Unlike homeless shelters, we have no beds, although some of our visitors are able to get much needed rest while at the Center. If you would like to know how to help support the Warming Center, please consider looking at our wish list or make a contribution by check or PayPal.  Printable "Wish List"

Next Warming Center Schedule Opening

No warming center openings are scheduled at this time.

JUNE 5th  help us WALK FOR WARMTH, 

Register and choose to support the Mental Health Association of NWPA.

All monies raised go to the Warming Center!

click the link below to register 

http://www.walkforahealthycommunity.org/index.shtml

Highlights Local

Molly Brannigan's Supports Warming Center

PRINT THIS FLYER and take it to Molly Brannigan's on March 26th. Fifteen percent of your lunch/dinner bill will be donated to the Warming Center

Creative Expressions and Recovery

What are you asking for this holiday season? Good health, serenity, joy and relaxation? So are people with mental health issues in recovery. Having a place for creative expressions can contribute to those feelings.

Share your live of and interest in the creative arts with us. The following opportunities are available:

  1. Share your time and talent for art - facilitate an activity.
  2. Share your expertise of music - facilitate a drumming circle.
  3. Give art supplies to the cause.
  4. Give rhythm instruments to the cause.

Pick items from the attached wish list. The Mental Health Association is a 501c3 organization. Send or drop off items to:

  • Rita Wheeler
  • Mental Health Association of NW PA
  • 1101 Peach St.
  • Erie, PA 16501

The Upper Room Partners With The MHA To Help Provide Shelter From The Erie Winter

CEO Bill Grove in this letter credits The Upper Room for partnering with the MHA to provide scarce shelter from extreme winter cold for anyone in need. Support is requested for both organizations.

Recovery Stories Needed for CATV Production

The Mental Health Association is recruiting volunteers to tell their personal Recovery stories. A Community Access TV Video is being produced to provide these stories to interested organizations. This message by Kate Bender gives more detail.

Jasper a certified therapy dog visits MHA

Jasper with his trainer Dave Tamilin, visits MHA . Jasper and Dave usually stop at the Association twice per month. This page contains additional information and the video of a recent visit.

TTY Service Available At MHA

Thanks to the generosity of the Erie Community Foundation the Mental Health Association of NW PA was awarded a grant for the purchase of a TTY machine. In our efforts to be good neighbors and a resource to the larger community, the MHA TTY service availability will be posted at our front entrance so that anyone with a hearing impairment in the downtown Erie area will be welcome to use this device upon request.

The Internship Experience at the MHA

Several college seniors from universities within the tri state area have spent a semester at the MHA. We have asked our recent interns to express their impression of their experience with us.

Highlights Regional

Upper Room Received Upgrade

Several volunteers with funding from the United Way of Erie County, completed interior improvements to the Upper Room. This flyer provides photographs and details.

Works For Me-Pa

Works for me is a FREE resource that can direct you to agencies and programs that help people with disabilities in Pennsylvania who want to work, and improve their financial security. You can work without losing your financial security or health care benefits. Works for me is here to help answer your questions about working!

Center for Psy Rehab at Boston U conducted research into supported housing and supported education

"Just as our field asks practitioners to be open to new ideas about recovery, so we must always be willing to take a hard look at our own conclusions and the research upon which those conclusions are based. In the past, systematic reviews have focused on research areas that typically utilize randomized clinical trials (RCT). However, despite the fact the RCTs are not common in all fields, there is still a need to evaluate the rigor and meaning of reasearch conducted.

To that end, with funding from National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitaion Research (NIDRR) the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation has developed new tools to promote knowledge translation in the field of disability. With the goal of promoting information dissemination through associations and organizations, the Innovative Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization for Disability and Professional Organizations and Stakeholders Grant (#H133A050006) is translating research findings into information easily used by organizations and stakeholders.

With these reviews, stakeholders can make informed decisions about the relevance of research to their own situation; and about the strength of the research and its conclusions. Complete Review and in digital format". This notice is from Drew Johnson, Information Specialist at Boston Univ.

Social Security Admin launches new website for "Ticket to Work"

The Social Security Administration is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Ticket to Work Program with the launch of "Choose Work" web site, www.choosework.net. You can view short, informative videos and hear stories from people who have explored the Ticket to Work Program.

Social Security Admin 2009 Hiring Project

The Social Security Administration has recently received funding to hire a significant number of employees throughout the country. This hiring initiative offers a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities who may want to get a job with SSA. These jobs will be at various skill levels including a number of entry-level positions.

Bring Change 2 Mind

This organization, Bring Change 2 Mind, was formed to provide quick and easy access to accurate information about mental illness for people who have misconceptions about mental illness. The founder Glenn Close enlisted Ron Howard to direct the introductory video.

Network of Care is a new on-line resource

The Network of Care is an innovative approach to wellness and recovery through user-friendly online tools and access to timely information. It is a resource that can make a difference in the lives of consumers, families, and agencies alike.

PA State Civil Service Commission announces positions for Certified Peer Specialists

The PA State Civil Service Commission created Civil Service positions for Certified Peer Specialists. It should be noted that if you submit a Civil Service application with a Certified Peer Specialist Certificate, no testing will be required to qualify for Civil Service Peer Specialist positions. View This Site for details.

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program for Mental Health(SPBP_MH)

The Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program (SPBP) is a program for low and moderate income individuals and families that helps pay for specific drug therapies used for the treatment of persons with a DSM IV diagnosis for schizophrenia.

This program is administered by the PA DPW and provides payment for atypical antipsychotic medications for eligible participants.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Proof of PA Residence
  • Social Secuity Card
  • Income Pay stubs or Benefit Award Letter
  • Perscription for Schizophrenia including DSM/ICD-9-CM

Visit this DPW Web page for additional info and application.

"No Kidding, Me Too!" Using Celebrity to Reverse Stigma

A new nonprofit wants to get the message out about the importance of treatment for mental illness--and it's hoping the voice of celebrity will ring loud and true for people feeling helpless and isolated by anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, or any of the host of conditions the group refers to as "brain dis-ease.".

MH Advance Directive

Mental Health Advance Directive is available online.