Mental Health Association of

Northwestern Pennsylvania

Annual Report 2008-2009

Reflection from the CEO (Chief Executive Officer)

The Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania (MHA) with help of the Erie County Office of Mental Health/ Mental retardation expanded services in 2008-2009 to better meet the needs expressed by mental health consumers.

A timed shower was added so personal hygiene needs can be addressed. The laundry facilities were doubled so that people could have clean clothes and blankets and towels used at the Consumer Center could be tended to. The Computer Lab/Library was expanded from two Internet accessible computers to four. Mental health consumers can connect to loved ones, search for employment and learn how to use a computer. The overall space in the center was enlarged and internal windows were added to ease any feelings of claustrophobia. “The space feels more open now.”

2008-2009 was the first full year that MHA provided peer support to mental health consumers to help them maintain a safe home in designated Housing Programs. Having a place of your own to call home can make a big difference in a person’s health, and outlook on life, and recovery.

This was the first full year that support, ongoing education and training was available to Certified Peer Specialists (CPS). The Consumer Employment Outreach Coordinator at MHA works in the community to help other mental health consumers maintain employment. Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) were promoted to mental health consumers. WRAP is a tool each person can use to identify their symptoms and triggers and ways of coping with their illness.

Hundreds of mental health consumers, family members and people who used drug & alcohol services were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with services they used. All surveys were done in a confidential and respectful manner.

Services continue to be offered by the MHA in Forest and Warren Counties. Mental health consumers at Warren State Hospital have an advocate on the premises to assist them in rights related issues. Families living in Forest/Warren Counties can receive help from an advocate when negotiating services for their children who have mental health needs.

Volunteers working with staff and mental health consumers express feelings of gratitude, a sense of accomplishment and a desire to do more. Jasper, the nonjudgmental therapy dog, gives love and sparks interactions with others.

Our Vision

All people with mental health needs lead meaningful and satisfying lives through choice, responsibility and dignity with respect.

Our Mission

The MHA provides a consumer driven environment which supports and promotes recovery for people with mental health needs.

Our Values

The MHA values empowering people with mental health needs in their recovery.

The Mental Health Association continues to offer opportunities for mental health consumers to lead lives of recovery.

Year in Review

The Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA is pleased to announce the following accomplishments for the 2008-2009 year:

• Sustained volunteer engagement which extended the value of resources available. Volunteers (237) contributed over 10, 600 hours of service.

• Positively responded to the community’s need for a Warming Center on bitterly cold winter nights

• Gathered and processed over 3, 000 consumer/family satisfaction surveys and disseminated data to 34 providers, Value Behavioral Health and Erie County MH/MR Office.

• Expanded The Peer Housing Support Team and served 204 unduplicated persons by providing support to residents in many life areas.

• The Consumer Employment Outreach Coordinator provided personal and employment support to 98 unduplicated persons.

• Maintained advocacy and referral of treatment for children in Forest and Warren counties.

• Served over 500 unduplicated persons in the Consumer Center

2008-2009

Funding sources

Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation of Erie County

Walk for a Healthy Community

Mental Health Association of Pennsylvania

Forest/Warren Co. Dept. of Human Services