Mental Health Association picnic set | News, Sports, Jobs

Dunkirk’s Point Gratiot Park is the location for the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County’s first north county Participant Celebration on Wednesday, Aug. 16. All are welcome to enjoy the picnic, games, and recognitions of participants’ milestone achievements.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County will hold its inaugural north county participant celebration and picnic on Wednesday, Aug. 16, from noon to 4 p.m.

In addition to participants and their families, all community members are welcome to this free event at Dunkirk’s Point Gratiot Park.

Ken Kendall, MHA peer coach specialist and north county recovery center manager, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to celebrate milestones MHA participants have achieved since the center became full time last November.

“We are thrilled with all the people who will be there to celebrate recovery,” he said, “and we hope the community will join us and learn what the MHA does in north county.”

A donation through by Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas’ office, the gathering will be at Point Gratiot’s Brooks Pavilion. Cooking out for the picnic and yard games like corn hole will add to the festivities.

Participants who completed Treatment Court and others who have taken different paths in their recovery journey will share their experiences.

A number of organizations will be represented, bringing awareness of their activities and sharing information about what they offer. These include Combat Addiction CHQ, Chautauqua Suicide Awareness, ROME (Recovery Options Made Easy), STRAWW (Southern Tier Recovery Activities Without Walls), Chautauqua Opportunities’ DADS Program, Dunkirk Treatment Court, and French Creek Recovery Center alumni.

Included in his responsibilities for MHA, Kendall is a peer advocate for Dunkirk Treatment Court and the Chautauqua County Opioid Court. Peer Specialist Morgan Rowley, also at the north county center, works with participants through Family Court and Strong Starts Chautauqua.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for our community members who struggle with mental health and substance use. The MHA is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

Anyone with questions or in need of services for themselves or a family member suffering from a mental health or substance use disorder is welcome to call 716-490-4356 or stop in at the north county recovery center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Jamestown recovery center is in the rear of the Gateway Building, Door 14, 31 Water St. It is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call 716-661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s dozens of groups and classes is at MHAchautauqua.org/groups.

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