Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, Westchester Jewish Community Services, Greater Mental Health of New York, and NAMI offer a community forum focused on assisting youth, young adults, and families impacted by psychosis.
As much as 8% of the population will be impacted by psychosis at some point in their lives and about 4% of the population will meet criteria for a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. These statistics suggest that more than 80,0000 Westchester County residents will be impacted by psychosis at some point in their lives. Psychosis is often confusing and disorienting for those impacted by it, and untreated psychosis can damage relationship, cause legal, educational. employment, financial, substance misuse, and housing issues. Often symptoms of psychosis emerge in late teenage years and early adulthood, catching impacted individuals and families off guard.
While historically, treatment and support for individuals impacted by psychosis was limited, recent advances in care offer new hope for those impacted by psychosis. Early intervention approaches offer significant hope to those impacted by psychosis, helping to avert the negative outcomes often associated with psychosis.
A key to effective intervention for psychosis is early recognition and treatment. Advances in treatment, like OnTrackNY, and innovative person-centered approach, offers new hope for individuals and families impacted by psychosis. The OnTrackNY program offers a full array of supports, including job and educational resources, peer support, case management, individual and family counseling, medication support, and more to youth, young adults, and families impacted by psychosis. Luckily, Westchester County has two organizations- Westchester Jewish Community Services and Greater Mental Health of New York- who offer this innovative program. Westchester County is also fortunate to have the resources provided by NAMI Westchester, including mental health education services, supports for navigating to care, and support groups for individuals and families impacted by psychosis.
“Programs like OnTrackNY are a game changer for individuals and families impacted by psychosis” says Commissioner Michael Orth, of Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health. “They offer new hope for those impacted by psychosis and Westchester County is truly fortunate to have this incredible resource” says Commissioner Orth.
We welcome all to learn firsthand about these incredible supports during a community forum happening October 9th, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the White Plains Public Library. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE! The event will offer information about the OnTrackNY Program, resources from NAMI Westchester, and perspectives from individuals with and families with lived experience.
AJ Canonico, LCSW (WJCS OnTrackNY Team Lead) and Town of Greenburgh Councilwoman Ellen Hendrickx are available for interviews. Please contact William Mullane at [email protected] to schedule an interview.
