Skip to main content

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.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

As the daylight hours grow shorter, many people begin to experience what is commonly known as the “winter blues.” You may start to feel sad or lethargic. Maybe you just want to stay home, in bed, under the covers. You feel like you are in a slump. And, you are starting to feel the pressure of the holidays approaching.

While winter blues is a general term and not a medical diagnosis, it can be fairly common. It is usually tied to something specific going on in your life. Stress very often can trigger these feelings. The end of the year holiday season can bring about a great deal of stress for many. It is also a time that many begin to reflect on family and friends and the loved ones that they have lost.

A more severe type of depression is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The National Institutes of Health has studied both winter blues and SAD for decades, but much remains unknown about these shifts in moods. SAD is a well-defined clinical diagnosis that is related to the shortening of daylight hours. Key features of SAD are that it follows a regular pattern from year to year as seasons change. It is more common in the northern parts of the United States where winter days provide less sunlight hours than other regions.

As with other forms of depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder can lead to gloomy outlooks and make people feel hopeless. People may lose interest in every day events, lack the energy to engage in activities or feel worthless.

While the winter blues and even Seasonal Affective Disorder can last for a few weeks and resolve just as quickly as it arrives, it is also quite treatable. There are increasing and improving therapies and treatments to provide help and healing to those in need.

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of SAD, reach out to your health care provider and remember that the 988 crisis hotline is always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To reach a qualified crisis counselor that can address your needs and help you to find guidance, call or text 988. 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.