Collaboration takes big stride forward for critical mental health care

PLATTSBURGH | The North Country's Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center officially opens Sept. 1, and a legion of state and local officials, care providers, peer counselors, doctors and much of the recovery community here have planned this for years. They had a chance to tour the new facility in late July. New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham came up from New York City to visit the Plattsburgh site. This is the third of 12 planned to open in New York State. The nearest crisis stabilization center is in Syracuse. Deputy Commissioner Ben Rosen came north from Office of Mental Health headquarters. CVFC Behavioral Health Clinic Services Director Jacob Coulombe spoke on behalf of the family center as CEO Connie Wille is away caring for family. CVPH President Michelle LeBeau attended the pre-opening event, along with Clinton County Community Services Director Richelle Gregory; United Way of the Adirondacks President John Bernardi; CVFC Board President John Remillard; Assemblyman Billy Jones; City of Plattsburgh Police Chief Jarrod Trombley and MHAB Founders Michael Carpenter and Betsy Vicencio and Gov. Kathy Hochul's regional representative Ali Webbinaro. A focused group of nurses, peers, peer advocates and mental health and wellness counselors convened for formal remarks. Given their enthusiastic rounds of applause, regional mental health and addiction treatment and recovery peer providers appear to truly welcome this new resource. "It takes a village to do this work," OASAS Commissioner Cunningham said, thanking the many partners who pulled together from across mental and behavioral health, law enforcement, county offices and addiction service agencies. "It is so important to have all of you here: neighbors, families, friends, community members, businesses, really all parts of society, to address mental health and addiction in this country." Over 6,300 New Yorkers died of overdose in 2023, she said. "In 2023, 17 people in Clinton County died of an overdose. Those are family members, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, coworkers, neighbors who were affected. And we know that these deaths are preventable." The good news is, she said, that overdose deaths in New York State in the past 12 months have declined by over 30 percent. "We still have a lot of work to do. If anyone dies of an overdose, it's too much," she said. "This crisis stabilization center is a key way to improve access to services." OASAS and OMH provided $2.3 million in state funding to establish this emergency mental healthcare resource. "The center will support taking care of the whole person and address co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, reduce barriers and build collaboration between systems, and reduce stigma, which is really important," the commissioner said. With a background in medical care in the Bronx, Dr. Cunningham recognized there are unique challenges here. They have set a goal to achieve equity for people living in rural areas. "Every New Yorker should have access to the gold standard in terms of treatment and services. This kind of facility and this kind of work is exactly what supports that." COMMUNITY RESOURCE OMS Deputy Director Rosen said this crisis center is part of the $1 billion recurring investment in mental health services that Gov. Kathy Hochul implemented in the state budget. But it is the community's long-held focus on building and strengthening mental health and addiction treatment partnerships that is the true resource. "The only way we can be successful is together," Rosen said. "Thank you for allowing us to stand by your side in this fight." Many remarks recognized CVFC CEO Wille for her dedication and unending effort. CVFC Behavioral Health Clinic Services Director Coulombe said her commitment to this project has been non-stop. "The center exists to give people a safe and supportive place to land," he said, "a place to hit pause, regroup and find a way forward." Clinton County Community Services Director Gregory, who coordinates care agencies across the county, recognized the region's empirical strength in collaboration. "(The Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center) is the embodiment of what happens when a community comes together with vision," she said. "Our journey does not end here. "No one agency, no one system can solve this alone," she said, highlighting partnerships that engage law enforcement and first response teams with community resources, NAMI, St. Joseph's Addiction and Treatment programs, Behavioral Health Services North, MHAB and the University of Vermont-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, among many partners. "The crisis center is a launching pad for our continued partnership," Gregory said. United Way CEO Bernardi highlighted their 26-year affiliation with CVFC, saying he sees the crisis center as a platform for rebuilding a life. "We've all had our share of crises. It's times of crisis and times of extreme emotional upset that often are the catalyst for change," Bernardi said. "This is an important service that Connie (Wille) and her team have put together. It's going to help people when they're down and out, but it's also a platform, a springboard for feeling better ... for enjoying life, for improving the quality of your life." MHAB co-founder Betsy Vicencio said working with CVFC to establish a crisis response program was part of the vision Mike Carpenter brought to the recovery table six years ago. Working alongside CVFC peers, they will help reach access to care and resources beyond the 24-hour intervention. "We're not going to let people go and walk back on to the street," she said. "We are going to help them access the care they need." The range of supports in place on the MHAB campus include the MHAB recovery residence, All Ways to Recovery Community Center, now adding the Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center and situational peer support for resources, including housing, transportation, job training, wellness classes and education. The Champlain Valley Family Center is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing behavioral health treatment, prevention, education and related support to promote the well-being and quality of life for area residents. MHAB provides residential support for people making the transition from addiction treatment to recovery in collaboration with CVFC and wellness partners. To find out more: cvfamilycenter.org To get immediate mental health crisis help or for a family member in crisis, call or text 988.

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Collaboration takes big stride forward for critical mental health care

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