On this week's episode, Andrew O'Grady announces information around two big initiatives here at MHA! The first is the #988Challenge. We are challenging people to "Scream It. Sing. Show It." Get creative and find new ways to spread the word that 988 is the 911 for mental health. Create a video and then tag 3 people so we can disseminate the news. Secondly, we talk about our upcoming Heartland of the Hudson Valley Benefit Concert happening on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie. The concert will feature the likes of Jake Banfield, Ian Flannigan, Maggie Rose, and Craig Morgan. Ticket information will be out shortly. #988Challenge https://mhadutchess.org/988trend/ Heartland of the Hudson Valley Benefit Concert - More to Come

• (00:00:00) - MHA CEO Andrew O' Grady on The Mental Wellbeing
• (00:04:13) - 988 for Mental Health Challenge
• (00:08:59) - Dial 988
• (00:14:09) - Andy O'Grady on Singing for ALS
• (00:17:39) - Country Concert Charity Gal
• (00:22:01) - 988 THE MUSIC WALK Poughkeepsie
• (00:26:28) - 988 Challenge

On this week's episode, we speak with Mobile Crisis Team Social Worker Natalie Sealey. We discuss the work that went into her 40 Under 40 recognition, and her dedication to helping members of the community. Natalie dives into the role of the Mobile Crisis Team here at MHA and how it has grown over ever since MHA took the department over from the county. Not just that, but Natalie talks about the beautiful and rewarding moments of the job, along with the incredible tribe she surrounds herself with.

MHA Mobile Crisis Intervention Team

https://mhadutchess.org/services/mobile-crisis-intervention-team/

Hudson Valley's 40 Under 40 Mover & Shaker Awards for 2026

https://www.dcrcoc.org/forty-under-40/

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:00) - 40 Under 40: Natalie Seely
• (00:01:27) - Mohamed Bin Laden on The 40 Under 40
• (00:04:41) - The Professional Business Networking
• (00:08:28) - MHA's mobile crisis team clinician
• (00:11:29) - The Mobile Crisis Team's five-year history
• (00:14:03) - What is the Mobile Crisis Team?
• (00:18:47) - Have You Had To Talk People Off the ledge?
• (00:19:35) - Mobile Crisis: What to Do If You Need Help
• (00:24:16) - Natalie on Why She Went into Social Work
• (00:28:40) - One of the services we provide has been rewarding
• (00:34:01) - Mental Wellness on Being in Recovery
• (00:40:10) - My Soulmate Is The Best Friend I Know
• (00:41:41) - Social Workers Get Recognized for Their Work
• (00:44:02) - Mobile Crisis Unit Gets Recognition
• (00:45:53) - One More Minute: Natalie's Wedding

On this week's episode, we speak with Director of Peer Services Jim Ball and Administrator of Peer Services Kirsten Muth.

MHA has received a grant from OMH for a Youth and Family Peer Advocate workforce expansion initiative. The program is a training and certification series for individuals interested in becoming Youth or Family Peer Advocates. It will serve six counties across the region.

We can provide this opportunity to our own eligible staff as well. We are also encouraging you to share this opportunity with clients you may be working with who would be interested.

The grant provides up to three stipends to qualified/eligible candidates:

· Upon completion of the Level One training (proof required) - $250

· Upon obtaining Provisional Certification (copy of Certificate required) $500

· Upon securing employment as a Youth or Family Peer Advocate or having this work written into your current job description - $1500

For more information on the training requirements for Family Peer Advocates click here

For more information on the training requirements Youth Peer Advocate click here.

If you are interested, please contact Kirsten Muth in Peer Services at kmuth@mhadutchess or by replying to this email. She will provide the links to register you for this opportunity.

Additional Information: Definitions and experience required:

What is a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA)? What life experience is required?

YPAs are individuals between 18 and 30 years of age who have self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. YPAs work with young people (primarily between ages 14-21) who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. These peer services provide the training and support necessary to ensure the active participation and engagement of young people in their own treatment planning process and in the development and reinforcement of skills.

What is a Family Peer Advocate (FPA)? What experience is required?

Family Peer Advocates (FPA) have ‘lived experience’ as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability.  Interested candidates can receive training to develop skills and strategies that can lead to employment and promote the practice of family-driven and youth-guided approaches. FPAs provide support services in a variety of settings including independent community-based family support programs, schools, clinics, residential programs, health homes, hospitals, and other community-based organizations. FPAs work in partnership with parents and service providers from all ‘systems’ including social services, education, mental health, developmental disabilities, juvenile justice, health, and substance abuse. This ‘cross-systems’ work comes naturally to FPAs because family needs cross all systems.

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:00) - PeeCee Workforce Expansion Grant
• (00:00:40) - The Role of a Peer Services Administrator
• (00:01:10) - The Peer Advocate Workforce Expansion Grant
• (00:04:23) - Grant supports family and youth peer advocates
• (00:07:01) - What's Different Between a Youth Peer Advocate and a Family Peer Advocate
• (00:08:08) - The Peer Specialist Workforce Expansion
• (00:18:24) - An advocate for the peer services
• (00:20:46) - A Peer advocate's journey in recovery
• (00:25:49) - A Taste of the Program