Author Archives for Ashley Vactor
Social media is not just for selfies anymore. MHA-NYC and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have had a long and robust partnership with Facebook, helping them use the power of their network to prevent suicides. In March, we took the next step forward in this exciting collaboration, expanding reporting and tools to help more people… View Article
Published on - April 18, 2017 4:24 pm
Published by - Ashley Vactor
The Mental Health Association of New York City welcomes back ABC News Anchor, Bill Ritter as the emcee for their 25th Annual Gala. Watch his exclusive 2016 ABC interview with MHA President, Kimberly Williams and journalist Sarah Vander Schaaff below.
Published on - March 25, 2017 6:36 pm
Published by - Ashley Vactor
Published on - March 10, 2017 5:46 pm
Published by - Ashley Vactor
Helping others is often the way we end up helping ourselves. No one knows that better than Michelle, who was able to help her two sons with the skills she learned on the job at NYC’s Bronx Family Resource Center (FRC). Her family’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. Back in 2004, Michelle was working with parents… View Article
Published on - March 1, 2017 10:20 am
Published by - Ashley Vactor
Last week, I was reminded that being open-minded and understanding the depths of another person’s life experience are two very different things. For all the talk about transgender issues in the news today, how many of us have had the opportunity to talk with an individual about his or her experience—not in the political sense—but… View Article
Published on - January 24, 2017 11:27 am
Published by - Ashley Vactor
Christian Burgess, Director of the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), a program administered by MHA-NYC for the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reflects on the Orlando Pulse Nightclub tragedy six months later. On June 12, 2016, 49 people were shot and killed and 53 others injured at the Pulse LGBT Nightclub in Orlando,… View Article
Published on - December 12, 2016 11:20 am
Published by - Ashley Vactor
Brown paper covered the door to what was once my dermatologists’ office. Ever since the practice moved to a new location several blocks away, the second-story office sat dormant. No light. No visitors. No indication of who or what would move in next. I had a steady awareness of what was, or what was not,… View Article
Published on - December 12, 2016 11:18 am
Published by - Ashley Vactor
On this Veteran’s Day as we honor the men and women who fought so bravely on our behalf, let us also reaffirm our commitment to those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Veterans and their families continue to struggle with mental health issues among other needs. The VA and communities around the country have made advancements… View Article
Published on - November 11, 2016 11:14 am
Published by - Ashley Vactor
Anxiety. It’s a worry about what might happen. A worry about the future. The best way to manage these fears is to stay grounded in the present moment. I have spent the past few years working on my relationship with anxiety and here’s the good news: it doesn’t matter what the worry is about, the… View Article
Published on - November 9, 2016 3:49 pm
Published by - Ashley Vactor
Today, the CDC released new data that discusses the death rates of youth aged 10-14. The data compares suicide rates, motor vehicle rates and homicide rates for youth. Dr. John Draper, Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a program administered by MHA-NYC, shares his thoughts on this release and the statement by the National Action… View Article
Published on - November 4, 2016 3:38 pm
Published by - Ashley Vactor