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Office of Mental Health

Events

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Central Office Observance and Message from Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan

May 1, 2024 | 9 am

Central Office staff will receive green ribbons and be encouraged to post messages of hope on the tree mural, located in the second-floor lobby at 44 Holland Ave. in Albany. Commissioner Sullivan will provide brief video remarks to usher in Mental Health Awareness Month.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Breath-Body-Mind

May 2, 2024 | 12 pm

Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Trauma-Informed Network Resource Center hosts virtual sessions to explore breathing, relaxation, and gentle movement techniques to help reduce stress, and give the body a chance to reset. These online sessions are offered in English, with a Spanish translation.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Online Grief Circles

May 2, 2024 | 12 pm

Every Tuesday and Thursday, individuals experiencing grief and pain are invited to join the Trauma-Informed Network Resource Center for support and to unlock love and energy.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: Connect with Social Services in New York City

May 2, 2024 | 5:45 pm

The New York Public Library will connect members of the public with social work interns from area colleges for a one-on-one meeting to help them access critical social services, including housing, short-term shelter, food security, healthcare, and more.

Location: 3rd Floor, Room 305, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library; 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, 10016

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: Mental Health Awareness Month Kick Off

May 3, 2024 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Join NAMI New York State for an impactful Press Conference where you’ll have an opportunity to meet other advocates. Meet the awesome Champions who are standing up for individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Location: The Adelphi Hotel, 361 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Website: Help for Maternal Depression

May 4, 2024

Each new and expecting mother has different experiences. For some, there may be physical and mental health struggles that arise. Take sometime during Maternal Mental Health Awareness week to learn more about resources for new and expecting moms in New York.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: Here Comes the Sun Bike Run

May 5, 2024 | 11:30 am – 3:00 pm

A two-hour ride to fight suicide through the scenic Hudson Valley with one stop at Tower Pizza in Pine Plains. Non-riders are welcome.

Location: PC's Paddock, 273 Titusville Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: 2024 Families Together In New York State Annual Conference

May 5 - 6, 2024 | 8:00 am

Strong Roots for Success: Cultivating a Continuum of Care for Children, Youth & Families. The Annual Conference is attended by families of children and youth that are involved with NYS child serving systems, service providers, educators, policymakers, and advocates.

Location: Marriott Albany, 189 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: NAMI Capital Region NY Connections Support Group

May 6, 2024 | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: What’s Great in our State

May 7, 2024 | 9:00 am

This annual event highlights the many children’s programs making a difference in the lives of families and children throughout New York State. Jen Marr, founder and chief executive officer Inspiring Comfort, will be the keynote speaker. Registration is now full.

Location: Crowne Plaza, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, 12211

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: Daniel’s Law Task Force Stakeholder Engagement Session

May 8, 2024 | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Established in response to the death of 41-year-old Daniel Prude in 2020, the task force is charged with developing recommendations to guide behavioral health crisis response and explore avenues for related diversion services. Following its inaugural meeting last summer, the task force has hosted several stakeholder listening sessions and has continued gathering comments from participants.

Location: Kate Gleason Auditorium Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, 115 South Avenue, Rochester NY, 14604

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Children’s Mental Health Symposium 2024 Virtual Conference

May 9, 2024 | 5:45 pm

Hosted by the New York City Children’s Center, this year’s theme Closing the Gap: Creating a Culture of Health, recognizes the critical importance of cultural responsiveness and the work still to be done to bridge the gap and integrate culture into mental health care.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: New York City Children’s Center Community Outreach and Wellness

May 10, 2024 | 2:00 pm

The center will host carnival-themed games, cotton candy, face painting, wellness resources and more at its Brooklyn and Queens campuses.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: NAMIWalks Westchester

May 11, 2024 | 8:30 am – 11:30 am

Join NAMI Westchester for the largest community awareness event for mental health in the region for a Day of Hope to celebrate and together make a positive impact in our community.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: ‘Using Our Voices’ Mental Health Run Series

May 11, 2024 | 8:45 am

This student-led run series focuses on combating bullying, enhancing mental health awareness, and celebrating the power of togetherness.

Location: Shine Phelps Lane Park, 281 Phelps Ln., North Babylon,11703

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Listen: Mindful Music airing Sundays on WBFO

May 12, 2024 | 8:00 – 9:00 pm

Mindful Music explores the intersection of music and mental health by providing a backdrop for conversations with guests who share how they use music to express their inner nature and manage their emotional wellbeing. Hosted by Karl Shallowhorn.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Website: Man Therapy

May 13, 2024

This evidence-based multidisciplinary effort aims to break though stigma, improve help-seeking behavior and reduce male suicide. The Resilience Hub provides evidence-based pep talks, practical tips for increasing your grit, and inspiration from other men who’ve made it through the wringer.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: 19th Annual Institute for Disaster Mental Health Conference

May 14, 2024 | 9:00 am

Sponsored by the state Office of Mental Health and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, this two-day conference is tailored to first responders, their leaders, and mental health professionals to champion resilience within the frontline community of responders. This year’s conference is entitled Beyond the Call: Sustaining Resilience in the Responder Community.

Location: 1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, 12538-1499

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Bullying and It’s Mental Health Impact

May 15, 2024 | 7:30 pm- 8:30 pm

Bullying can affect everyone—those who are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness bullying. Bullying is linked to many adverse outcomes, including impacts on mental health, substance use, depression, and even suicide. Creating open channels for children to express their concerns and communicate their experiences is just half the battle. This webinar is hosted by MHANYS’ School Mental Health Resource and Training Center.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: Mental Health Action Day

May 16, 2024

Action looks different for everyone. Mental Health Action Day encourages and empowers everyone to take action for themselves, for their loved ones, or for their community based on what works best for them.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Empowering Resilience - Harnessing Creativity for Neurodiversity and Mental Health

May 16, 2024 | 11:00 am

Hosted by Coordinated Care Services Inc. as part of What’s Great in Our State, this virtual workshop features a dynamic panel of parents, youth and renowned advocates who have tapped into the power of creativity to navigate the intersection of neurodivergence and mental health.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: 2024 Children, Youth, and Young Adult Mental Health Symposium “Championing Mental Health Together”

May 17, 2024 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), through the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is convening a one-day Symposium representing a cross-section of mental health stakeholders to share information and best practices for improving mental health outcomes for children, youth, young adults, and their families in schools and communities.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Website: Resilient Responders Program

May 18, 2024

For more than 15 years, the Center for Resilience of the David Lynch Foundation, has successfully delivered an evidence-based, trauma-healing technique to several targeted populations, including military veterans, the New York City Firefighters, and the New York Police Department. This website explores this technique, which has documented benefits for reducing symptoms of PTS, stress, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder and hypertension.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: NAMIWalks NYC + Mental Health Street Fest

May 19, 2024 | 10:00 am

Considered the nation's largest mental health event and since 2007, this walk and street festival has drawn thousands of supporters, including individuals, families, companies, and community organizations.

Location: Pier 16 and Pier 17, 89 South Street; New York 10038

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: ‘Using our Voices’ Mental Health Run Series

May 19, 2024 | 8:45 am

This student-led run series focuses on combating bullying, enhancing mental health awareness, and celebrating the power of togetherness. The goal is to share important messages about, reducing stress and anxiety, building relationships, and supporting students’ mental and physical health through movement.

Location: Connetquot High School, 190 7th Ave. Bohemia, 11716

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Website: The Community Mental Health Project

May 20, 2024

The New York Public Library teamed with Black Health and Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry to provide mental and emotional support through resources cultivated Black and Latinx New Yorkers, which are the communities that experienced the highest health disparities and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Safe Horizon’s Human Trafficking 101 Presentation

May 21, 2024 | 11:00 am

Hosted by Coordinated Care Services Inc. as part of What’s Great in Our State, this anti-trafficking presentation provides an overview of this crime, recognizing who may be a victim or trafficker, intersections of human trafficking and domestic violence, forced marriage, vulnerabilities, and roles as public service providers identifying and assisting a suspected victim.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Educator Café – Championing a Peer-to-Peer Support Model

May 22, 2024 | 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm

Join the mental health non-profit Bring Change to Mind as they discuss their endeavors over the past year to foster a culture of empathy within schools across America. Through their peer-led approach, students have been empowered to truly ‘see’ one another and have been equipped with the necessary resources to advocate effectively. Hosted by MHANYS’ School Mental Health Resource and Training Center, this webinar aims to illuminate pathways for cultivating similar cultures within our own districts.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Watch: Strength Over Silence

May 23, 2024

In this ongoing docuseries, the National Alliance on Mental Illness highlights perspectives on mental health across backgrounds and communities. Through candid and courageous stories of lived experience, these mental health champions share their resilience and recovery, emphasizing the importance of culture and identity in the mental health movement.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Video: Provider Wellness Training Series

May 24, 2024

This training series helps human services agencies take care of their staff's health. Developed by Coordinated Care Services, Inc. in partnership with New York State Office of Mental Health and funded by Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc., these four videos discuss how employees can stay healthy and strong.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Read: Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support

May 25, 2024

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Program offers mental health and other supports in a non-clinical environment to alleviate the burden of stigma that can surround mental health care. Open to all veterans, it also fills a critical service gap for those who are not receiving VA assistance.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Website: Military Families Resources for Young Children

May 26, 2024

Sesame Street for Military Families provides resources to help talk, listen, and connect. These online resources are separated by topic to help navigate the mental health pressures military families often experience.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Read: Five Ways to Center Yourself

May 27, 2024

Use one or all these five calming strategies when you’re feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Event: Mental Health Awareness Night with the Tri-City ValleyCats

May 28, 2024 | 6:30 pm

The Tri-City ValleyCats are hosting the team's second annual Mental Health Awareness Night, presented by the state Office of Mental Health, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a commemorative card strip.

Location: 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, 12180

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Virtual: Let’s Talk Social Emotional Learning

May 29, 2024 | 11:00 am

Hosted by Coordinated Care Services Inc. as part of What’s Great in Our State, this workshop features Jennifer Quinn, who is overseeing six evidence-based programs from Pre-K to 12th grade at the Wyandanch School District to promote comprehensive social emotional learning and prevention.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

View: Eight Dimensions of Wellness

May 30, 2024

These webinars recorded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provide a holistic model that breaks down the main areas of an individual’s well-being. Noticing where something is missing and working to meet that need is an integral part of maintaining and finding stability and balance.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

View: Breathing Exercises for Everyone

May 31, 2024

Breathing can calm the nervous system and improve mental wellness. OMH created a series of videos to help people slow down and simply focus on their breathing. Take a moment to breathe along with the videos and see if you notice a difference.