Community Mental Health
The Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) plans, oversees and coordinates services for individuals with behavioral health issues and their families. Behavioral health includes mental illness, developmental/intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders.
We have created an online resource directory that we hope residents and professionals will use to locate the many and varied behavioral health resources in Westchester County.
DCMH MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health is to enrich and enhance the lives of children, adolescents, adults, and families living with mental health concerns, substance misuse, addictions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or the co-occurrence of any of these issues, to reach their full potential. This mission is achieved by providing a system of care guided by values and ethical practices which prioritize equitable access to strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally, racially, and linguistically responsive services that are coordinated and individualized to meet their needs.
June is Pride Month
According to Mental Health America, 4.5% of the U.S. population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Of those people, 39% reported experiencing mental illness in the past year. This translates to 5.8 million people or 1.75% of the total population.
The American Psychiatric Association reports that members of the LGBTQ+ community are more than twice as likely as heterosexual people to experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. They are also less likely to receive effective, compassionate care.
If you are struggling with mental health issues, there is help out there. If you find yourself unable to manage your symptoms, it is important to know that you are not alone. Call the 988 Crisis Hotline – available 24/7/365. LGBTQ+ youth and young adults under 25 can access LGBTQI+ support via the 988 Lifeline 24/7. To call an LGBTQ+-trained counselor, dial 988 and then press 3. To text, send the word PRIDE to 988. You can opt-in for specific support in chat via the pre-chat survey by checking off the box for LGBTQ+ support.
Find information at www.988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know needs support now, contact:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988 or chat here – you will be directed to local resources
- You can also learn more about 988 and have access to related national information by visiting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website.
- Crisis Prevention and Response Team: (914) 925-5959
- NYS Substance Abuse HOPEline: (877) 8-HOPENY / Text 467369
- Or, you can always call 911 in any emergency
For more information about the Department of Community Mental Health’s programs and services, please call us at 914-995-5220, Monday- Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm or see our Quick Links on the left or our menu at the top right-hand corner of your screen.