Skip to main content

Adult Mental Health

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

In addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery. Mental illnesses are treatable conditions.

Some general signs in adults that may suggest a mental illness include:

  • Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in others
  • An unusual drop in functioning especially at school or work
  • Problems with concentration, memory, or logical thought and speech that is hard to explain
  • Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations
  • A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality
  • Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings of influences at work; illogical or “magical” thinking
  • Fear or suspiciousness of others
  • Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings or “mood swings” 

Employee Assistance Program

threemoods

If you are an employee of Westchester County or any of the municipalities listed below, the Westchester County Employee Assistance Program (WCEAP) provides free, confidential, counseling and referral services for a wide range of personal problems.  Issues of concern addressed can include:

  • Mental or Emotional Stress
  • Marital/Relationship Conflict
  • Family Issues
  • Eldercare
  • Childcare
  • Financial Counseling
  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse
  • Loss and Grief
  • Traumatic Events
  • Health and Wellness

For confidential support and information on these or any other topics, please contact the WCEAP via phone and/or email:

  • Call (914) 995-6070 Monday-Friday, during regular business hours
  • Send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Participating Municipalities

  • Ardsley, Village of
  • Carmel, Town of
  • Fairview Fire Department
  • Greenburgh, Town of
  • Hartsdale Fire Department
  • Lake Mohegan Fire District
  • Mamaroneck, Town of
  • Montrose Fire District
  • New Rochelle Public Library
  • Ossining¸ Town of
  • Pelham Manor, Village of
  • Pleasantville, Village of
  • Putnam County
  • Rye, Town of
  • Scarsdale, Village of
  • Westchester Joint Water Works
  • Yonkers, City of
  • Briarcliff, Village of
  • Croton on Hudson
  • Elmsford, Village of
  • Goldens Bridge Fire Department
  • Harrison, Town of
  • Irvington, Village of
  • Larchmont, Village of
  • Mamaroneck, Village of
  • New Rochelle, City of
  • North Salem, Town of
  • Ossining, Village of
  • Pelham, Village of
  • Port Chester, Village of
  • Rye, City of
  • Rye Brook, Village of
  • Tarrytown, Village of
  • White Plains, City of

If you are a Westchester County Government Employee, please access the Westchester County Employee Intranet for enhanced EAP Services.

Resources For Families

Mental Health Sites on the Web By and/or For Families

 

While there are many web sites that contain information on mental illness and care giving, the sites below may be particularly useful to family members: 


National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) www.narsad.org NARSAD is the largest donor-supported organization in the world dedicated to the support of scientific research on brain and behavior disorders.. The web site features brief fact sheets on various mental disorders, offers order forms for free NARSAD publications, and highlights opportunities for families to participate in research either as study participants or as donors.

 

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) www.nami.org The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is a not-for-profit organization comprised of more than 168,000 family members and advocates who seek to improve research and services for people with serious psychiatric illnesses. The NAMI web site offers a vast array of pertinent information for family members and the general public including information on policy, research, medications, books on mental illness, notification of meetings, and news concerning mental illness.

 

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of New York State (NAMI-NYS) www.naminys.org Focused on the need for self-help, support, and advocacy for families and friends of persons with severe mental illnesses, this site includes information about the State organization and its local affiliates. Other site resources include referral services, favorite links, and updates on important advocacy issues such as mental health parity.

 

National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association www.ndmda.org This site is intended to educate patients, families, and the public concerning the nature and treatment of depressive and manic-depressive illness.

 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) www.nimh.nih.gov The web site of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides information on federally supported mental health research activities, including grants and contracts. The “For the Public” section offers information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. Brochures, information sheets, reports, press releases, fact sheets, and other educational materials are all available. The NIMH site also includes a publications order form (most publications are free), as well as press advisories and news on research findings.

 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) www.niaaa.nih.gov A sister agency to NIMH and NIDA, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) provides information and publications relating to alcohol use and abuse. Many of the pamphlets and brochures are available in both English and Spanish.

 

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) www.drugabuse.gov The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) web site provides a vast array of information for researchers, health professionals, parents, teachers, and students. The site offers up-to-date news, research reports, fact sheets, information about common drugs of abuse, and information about co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Popular on-line publications on various aspects of drug abuse are available on the site.

 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov This federal site provides information about and links to each of the three Centers under SAMHSA (the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment). Much of the emphasis of the site is on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse problems including, but not limited to, persons with severe mental illnesses.

 

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry www.aacap.org The professional association of child and adolescent psychiatrists established this site to provide information on legislation, advocacy, and research concerning child and adolescent psychiatry. Produced in English, Spanish, German, and French, the section of the site entitled “Facts for Families” provides easy-to-digest fact sheets describing the range of psychiatric disorders which may affect children and adolescents.

 

American Psychiatric Association www.psych.org This web site was developed by the professional organization representing more than 40,000 psychiatrists in the U.S. and abroad who specialize in the treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders. The site provides information about psychiatric conditions for the general public and links to other mental health sites.

 

National Mental Health Association www.nmha.org Founded in 1909 by Clifford Beers, a former psychiatric patient, the National Mental Health Association was the nation’s first citizen volunteer advocacy organization. Much of the emphasis of the organization is on advocacy, prevention, information and referral, and public education. The site provides information and legislative alerts on public policies affecting persons with mental illness.

 

National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse www.mhselfhelp.org Funded by the U.S. Center for Mental Health Services, this site provides information for mental health consumers including descriptions of current activities, upcoming conferences, scholarship and employment opportunities, and a catalog of publications. Also available at the site is a sign-up area for consumers interested in joining an e-mail group focused on their concerns.

 

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) www.omh.state.ny.us The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) operates all psychiatric centers across the state and also regulates, certifies and oversees more than 2,500 community programs, operated by non-profit agencies and local governments. This site provides information on these facilities, an organizational chart, the OMH Strategic Statement, and details of OMH regulations, including those currently under public review. The site also includes current and back issues of the OMH Quarterly, the agency’s quarterly publication.

 

The New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) www.nyspi.cpmc.columbia.edu The New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) is one of two New York State research facilities funded by the Office of Mental Health. This site provides information on research, education and training, and clinical services.

 

New York University Department of Psychiatry This is the home page of the New York University Department of Psychiatry. The site offers general information on the Department, which is affiliated with the Nathan Kline Institute, and includes a special section for the public with information on.

 

Disclaimer Notice We cannot assume any responsibility for the content or accuracy of the material contained in the links above, nor do they necessarily reflect the official policies of the New York State Office of Mental Health or any of its facilities. While the Internet can be an extremely useful resource, you should always consult a physician regarding specific concerns about the diagnosis and treatment of a serious mental disorder affecting yourself or a family member.
 

Adult Mental Health Providers

These local organizations offer support to adults with mental illness.

NAMI Westchester Support GroupNAMI Westchester Support Group
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is made of up families and friends of people with mental illness in Westchester. We come together for a common purpose - to share our experiences in order to understand and advocate for our relatives and friends. In Westchester, we have been helping each other in this important work since 1980. We now know that severe mental illnesses are brain disorders that can be diagnosed and treated. NAMI Westchester maintains an office which is staffed by volunteers who will try to answer your questions. If no one is there when you call, leave a message and your call will be returned. For more information, call the NAMI office at (914) 592-5458.



  

Mental Health

Westchester County offers a wide array of treatment and support services to both children and adults facing the challenge of mental illness, mental retardation/developmental disabilities, and substance abuse disorders.
 
It's important for anyone affected by any of these conditions to recognize how universal they are. Every segment of society, every country, every race and nationality is touched. 

When you or someone in your family is suffering you are not alone.

More Articles …