Mental Health Resources

Meet the people involved in our Mental Health Ministry.

The reality is that mental health issues affect all members of society in some way, shape or form. It is estimated that one in five Americans over age 18 will experience a mental health problem this year. The impact of the pandemic has shown increased prevalence of adverse mental health outcomes, substance abuse and suicidal ideation in all age groups and all races.

Misunderstandings about mental health can lead to negative attitudes that prevent people from being accepted and supported, and can make it harder for them and their families to get help and lead productive lives in their communities. There is strong evidence that close and caring relationships, supportive communities, and having a personally meaningful spirituality are all powerful factors in promoting mental health, reducing risk and facilitating healing and recovery.

The First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown is responding to this increasingly alarming concern and has recognized the call to walk side by side with our neighbors who are impacted by mental health challenges. To do so, we have completed a mental health survey which will give us insight into the depth and diversity of this issue within our congregation and in our local community. From this understanding we will seek training to become more skillful in understanding the complexities of and provide new way of creating an environment of support and respect for those in distress or struggling with mental health challenges. This training will help build capacity within our church (and potentially our community) to offer hospitality, neighboring, sharing the journey, listening and accompany our neighbors (the 5 basic practices of companionship).

At the heart of a mental health ministry is to welcome those in distress, work towards understanding the struggle, and offer a foundation of spiritual support to promote healing and well-being. Experiencing grace and renewal of life is possible through our efforts to walk side by side with all in distress and struggling.

If you would like to join our Mental Health and Wellness Team please contact us at the office.

Our most recent mental health post is listed here. Other posts are listed at the bottom of this page.

From the Mental Health Team

Mental Health Resources

THIS ELECTION YEAR, BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

By Rev. Thomas Taylor, LCSW-R, Ph.D., Lutheran Counseling Center Pastoral Counselor

For years, I never knew my neighbor’s politics. Then political flags popped up all around us. We’ve always had plenty of US flags but these flags were different and felt different – they were political, for one politician or another. One of our neighbor’s politics was hard to miss. In addition to flying his flag in support of his favorite candidate, talk radio blared throughout the day so neighbors couldn’t avoid hearing about his political views. Despite our different views, we still greeted him cordially whenever we saw him out with his dog.

Then one day he stopped my wife and struck up a conversation. He asked about her mom. He said he hadn’t seen them out walking for a while and wondered if she was alright. Touched, my wife told him her mom had died. He said he was sorry to hear that and that he’d always enjoyed seeing them out walking. Although my wife’s feelings about his politics had not changed, she felt more connected to him. Their brief talk humanized them both.

We are now in an election year and tensions are going to mount among those we consider our neighbors and those we do not. According to the American Psychological Association, 68% of Americans reported feeling stressed leading up to the last presidential election. This increase in stress requires that we deliberately find ways to ground ourselves. Looking for our common humanity is one way to ground ourselves, especially when faced with difficult conversations around politics.

Rachael Dunkel-Dodier, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Founder of Bridger Peaks Counseling in Bozeman Montana*, observes “The more that we create disconnection, even in our differing values, the more we create pain and hurt in our country.” To counter this tendency to disconnect, Dunkel-Dodier recommends we pivot and ground ourselves by leaning “into saying, yes, you are different than me, and I still honor who you are as a human, and honor where you’re coming from, without creating more of a divide.”

The Gospel message is we are all children of God who share a common humanity and the same neighborhood – God’s neighborhood. Find an excuse to talk with your neighbors so we can appreciate and enjoy our shared humanity. What a gift!

Here’s praying for a more connected and less stressful election year.

~Tom Taylor Interim Co-Executive Director, LCC

* Carroll, Bryanna “Mental health counselors offer tips to cope with Election Day stress,” NBCMONTANATV, November 7th 2023.

The Rev. Thomas S. Taylor, PhD, LCSW-R, STM, is currently Interim Co-Executive Director of the LCC. He is a Certified Psychoanalyst and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is currently President of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis (NPAP) and a Clinical Supervisor for LCC. He is counselor-in-residence at Advent Lutheran Church in New York City. An ordained pastor of the ELCA, he has extensive experience working with individuals and couples and as a seminar presenter.

 

Mental Health Resources

Westchester County Mental Health Association
344 Main Street, Suite 301
Mt. Kisco NY 10549
www.mhawestchester.org
914-345-0700 x. 7303 for information and referrals

Putnam County Mental Health Association
2505 Carmel Ave, Suite 212
Brewster NY 10509
www.mhaputnam.org
845-278-7600

Presbyterian Counseling Center

Westchester Mobile Crisis Prevention & Response Team 914-925-5959
Putnam Mobile Crisis Prevention & Response Team 386-872-2254
Dutchess Mobile Crisis Prevention & Response Team 845-372-5500

New York State Alliance on Mental Health
99 Pine Street
Albany NY 12207
www.naminys.org
518-462-2000
www.namiwestchester.org
914-592-5458
www.namiputnam.org
845-363-1478

National Alliance on Mental Health
3803 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Arlington VA 22203
www.nami.org
703-524-7600 (main number)
518-462-2000 (in NYS)

Drug Crisis In Our Backyard
16 Fair Street, Carmel NY 10512
845-842-1212
www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.org

NYS Emotional Support Helpline
(available 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
1-844-863-9314

Gambler’s Anonymous (NYC, Westchester, Rockland & Surrounding Counties)
1-855-222-5542
www.gamblersanonymous.org

National Problem Gambling Hotline
1-800-522-4700
www.ncpgambling.org/chat

Hotline Numbers

Emergency: 911

Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Nationwide Hotline 988
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

 

Crisis Text Line (National Alliance on Mental Illness):
Text NAMI to 741-741

Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Teens:
1-866-488-7386

SAFE (Self-Abuse Finally Ends)
Alternative Information Line
1-800-DONT CUT (355-8288)

Drug Crisis In Our Backyard “HopeLine”:
877-846-7369

Recent Mental Health Posts