Author Archives for Ashley Vactor

5 Tips for Coping with Lockdowns and Sheltering in Place Orders

Christian Burgess, Director of the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), a program administered by Vibrant Emotional Health for the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), describes how you can cope with lockdowns and shelter in place orders. If you’re like me, just hearing or reading the word ‘lockdown’ gets your heart rate jumping…. View Article Published on - August 25, 2016 7:00 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

You Can “#BeThe1To Prevent Suicide”: A National Call to Action

Dr. John Draper is one of the nation’s leading experts in crisis contact center practices (hotline, online chat, SMS services, etc.). As Project Director, he oversees all aspects of the federally-funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network, which consists of over 160 member crisis centers across the country. Is it possible to reduce suicide like we have… View Article Published on - August 16, 2016 4:22 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

Disaster Distress Helpline and Medical Reserve Corps: Collaborating for Disaster Behavioral Health

Christian Burgess, Director of the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), a program administered by MHA-NYC for the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), describes how we have collaborated with the national Medical Reserve Corps units around the country in support of our mutual work to assist individuals, families and communities impacted by disaster. The… View Article Published on - August 5, 2016 11:05 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

#WriteOnSarah: Vacation from Anxiety

Sarah Vander Schaaff is a writer, blogger and a mother of two from New Jersey, who has struggled with Obsessive-compulsive disorder for as long as she can remember. Her courageous column in the Washington Post (“Obsessive –compulsive disorder nearly ruined her life”, January 4th) received international attention for its honesty and openness. This is the first blog… View Article Published on - August 5, 2016 2:39 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

#WriteOnSarah: When Labor is the Scariest Day of Your Life – The NICU and PTSD

Sarah Vander Schaaff is a writer, blogger and a mother of two from New Jersey, who has struggled with Obsessive-compulsive disorder for as long as she can remember. Her courageous column in the Washington Post (“Obsessive –compulsive disorder nearly ruined her life”, January 4th) received international attention for its honesty and openness. This is the first blog… View Article Published on - June 20, 2016 7:29 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

Pulse Nightclub Shooting in Orlando, Florida

We here at MHA-NYC are proud to administer the Disaster Distress Helpline, the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. In the aftermath of the recent tragedy in Orlando, Florida, we’d like to remind everyone that this service provides 24/7 crisis counseling and emotional support for anyone struggling with distress or other mental… View Article Published on - June 16, 2016 9:09 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

#WriteOnSarah: Children, PTSD and Another Act of Terrorism

Sarah Vander Schaaff is a writer, blogger and a mother of two from New Jersey, who has struggled with Obsessive-compulsive disorder for as long as she can remember. Her courageous column in the Washington Post (“Obsessive –compulsive disorder nearly ruined her life”, January 4th) received international attention for its honesty and openness. This is the first blog… View Article Published on - June 14, 2016 7:07 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

A PTSD Month Statement From Our CEO

With the start of June, we begin PTSD Awareness Month and as with so many other mental health challenges, individuals with PTSD often face loneliness and stigma. The traumatic events that can cause PTSD, like a sexual or physical assault, the unexpected death of a loved one, an accident, a battlefield experience or a natural… View Article Published on - June 1, 2016 9:01 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts

#WriteOnSarah: Mental Illness in Children – Invisible Until You Look

Sarah Vander Schaaff is a writer, blogger and a mother of two from New Jersey, who has struggled with Obsessive-compulsive disorder for as long as she can remember. Her courageous column in the Washington Post (“Obsessive –compulsive disorder nearly ruined her life”, January 4th) received international attention for its honesty and openness. This is the… View Article Published on - June 1, 2016 4:07 pm Published by - Leave your thoughts