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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The United Soccer League Championship Players Association has launched an initiative that focuses on mental health for players in the league, which includes the Phoenix Rising FC.

The association earlier this month announced a partnership with telehealth provider Onrise. May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Our hope is by partnering with Onrise is that we can support players as people,” said USLPA executive director Connor Tobin. “Let’s say a player moves from Phoenix Rising to San Diego Loyal, (the player) can have continuity of care.”

Tobin, who started his professional career in 2009 and still currently plays as a defender for the Vermont Green in USL League Two, says that if a player retires or takes a step away from the game, Onrise will be available to help the player through that period of transition.

The mental health needs of professional and college athletes has drawn inclreased attention in reacent years.

Data from the International Olympic Committee found that 5% to 35% of athletes experienced some sort of mental health disorder in a 12-month follow-up period.

Rising midfielder Jose Hernandez welcomed the new intiative.

“It’s a testament to teams and to players that we’re trying to grow the game the right way,” he said. “Not just with the product that is being portrayed on the field, but everything else that comes outside with it.”

Hernandez started his professional playing career in 2015 and has seen teammates go through mental health challenges, such as separation anxiety from family members. He’s seen teams he’s played for take steps to responde to the needs of players in this area.

“There’s been a progression within the league and clubs to help those players, if need be,” said Hernandez. “When guys do need some sort of help, the team has someone on hand, someone they can call, or even just the coaches stepping into that role and just being someone to support and to listen.”

While there remains a stigma regarding athletes talking about their mental health, several high-profile professional athletes have come forward to broach the topic in recent years.

Michael Phelps, who set an all-time with a record 23 Olympic swimming gold medals, revealed in 2018 he battled depression and contemplated suicide during the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

More:Michael Phelps: A chance to save a life is better than winning gold

In that same year, Kevin Love, an NBA player who currently plays with the Miami Heat, revealed that he suffered a panic attack during a game in the 2017 season when he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers and had to deal with anxiety and depression.

More:Cavaliers’ Kevin Love on November panic attack: ‘I really felt like I was going to die’

And U.S.s Olympian Simone Biles also drew attention to the issue when she spoke about her battle with depression even as she was dominating the gymnastics field.

More:Simone Biles is a role model for prioritizing her own mental health over an Olympic medal

The USLPA’s partnership with Onrise is a step toward encouragine players to come forward if they are facing a mental health challenge.

“Players should expect anonymously they can access (Onrise’s) system and the levels of care that Onrise provides,” said Tobin. “They are completely independent as players to access the system, that’s anonymous to the PA, anonymous to the clubs, it’s all about (the players).”

Tobin said Onrise will provide players with various services, such as getting touch with a player care specialist or a doctor if needed.

“There’s a saying that 80% of (playing sports) is mental,” said Hernandez. “It’s definitely one of the biggest aspects in professional sports, whether people want to admit it or not.

“It’s important that everyone stays true to who they are and understand that no wrong that comes with (having mental health issues),” Hernandez added. “It’s about everyone helping each other out and having each other backs, especially when it comes to mental health because it’s a big part of the game.”

Help is available

In Arizona, there is a statewide mental health crisis line available at 844-534-HOPE (4673). In addition the statewide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched last year and can be reached 24/7 by dialing 988.

More:Need help finding mental health services in Arizona? Here are some resources

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