Hope Speaks Niagara Community Coalition


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Hope Speaks Niagara Community Coalition is led by the
Niagara County Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

Chair: Myrla Gibbons Doxey, LMFT-D, Deputy Director
Community Coalition Coordinator: Connie Desmarais, MA

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Connie Desmarais at (716) 439-7426 or email NCDMH@niagaracounty.gov.



MISSION STATEMENT

To unite organizations, communities and individuals in a collaborative effort to reduce harm, prevent deaths, and end stigma around mental health and substance use related concerns. Through diverse, hope-centered initiatives, we break down barriers to care, increase access to live-saving resources, promote education and advocacy, and ensure everyone is met with empathy, respect, and the tools to thrive.

VISION STATEMENT

For a compassionate and empowered community where every individual, and their family, has equitable access to care and resources that honor unique needs and help save lives.

VALUES

Accountability with Integrity: We hold ourselves to high ethical standards, ensuring transparency, honesty, and responsibility in all we do.

Community Empowerment: We believe in the power of collective action and elevate the voices of those with lived experience to shape solutions that work.

Compassionate Care: We meet every individual with empathy, dignity, and respect recognizing the humanity in every story and struggle.

Continuous Learning: We stay informed, adapt to new evidence, and remain open to grow because saving lives means never standing still.

Dignity & Equity for All: We uphold the inherent worth of every person, ensuring that care, support, and advocacy are delivered without judgment or discrimination. We work to eliminate systemic barriers so that all people can access the resources they need.

Harm Reduction: We prioritize practical, evidence-based strategies that reduce risk and save lives while honoring individual autonomy.

Stigma-Free Support: We challenge shame and misinformation by fostering open dialogue, education, and inclusive language that honors people's choices and journeys.

STRUCTURE

Advisory Panel: Provides non-binding guidance, shares insights, identifies needs, supports community-driven solutions, and, overall assists with establishing Coalition priorities and goals by offering specialized knowledge and perspectives.

Data Workgroup: Gathers, analyzes, summarizes and shares local information in a meaningful way to help the coalition understand community needs and guide effective action. By tracking trends in mental health, substance use, suicide, overdoses, harm reduction, and access to care, the group assists the coalition focus its efforts where they can made the greatest impact.

Public Awareness / Involvement Workgroup: Develops and implements local and county wide strategies to strengthen community understanding, engagement and action around mental health and substance use concerns and eliminate stigma. Grounded in local data and guided by the coalition's mission, the workgroup coordinates strategies to raise awareness, prevent suicide and use of substances, reduce harm and deaths, and promote equitable access to services, supports and treatment. Through community outreach, partnerships, campaigns, and stigma-reducing initiatives, the workgroup empowers residents, amplifies hope-centered messaging, and builds a more informed, connected, and compassionate community where every individual and family has the resources they need to thrive.

Training Workgroup: Responsible for the developing, coordinating and delivering a comprehensive training plan that strengthens community knowledge, skills, and capacity around mental health, substance use, harm reduction, and stigma reduction. guided by local data and community needs, the workgroup identifies priority topics, designs evidence informed training strategies, and ensures education reaches diverse audiences across Niagara County. Through this work, the group advances equitable access to life-saving information, empowers individuals and organizations, and supports the coalition's mission.

RESOURCES
Well Niagara App Download Image
Or visit the corresponding Well Niagara Webpage https://www.wellniagara.niagaracounty.com/ 

ENDING STIGMA

 SUICIDE PREVENTION

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline     
Línea 988 de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis

Learn how we can all prevent suicide.

Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.

  • Know the Risk Factors.
  • Know the Warning Signs.
  • Read Stories of Hope and Recovery.
Learn more on how to Get Help:
Dial 988 or text 988 or Chat online with 988 at 988 Lifeline Chat

Learn more on how to get involved to help prevent suicide.
Learn more about professional initiatives to raise public awareness and further the field of suicide prevention. 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
  • To learn about suicide, including risk factors and warning signs, statistics and treatment, and how to report about it responsibly visit https://afsp.org/learn-the-facts 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Western NY Chapter focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by:

  • Delivering innovative prevention programs,
  • Educating the public,
  • Raising funds for suicide research and programs, and
  • Reaching out to those who have lost someone to suicide.

The Western New York Chapter includes the following Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.

BeThe1To is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide.  

En Español

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has a wealth of information on suicide prevention.

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Niagara County Crisis Services is a program offered by the Niagara County Department of Mental Health to residents of Niagara County. Crisis Services Counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to  provide free confidential support, guidance, information or referral in accessing the most appropriate resources and/or treatment options available to you based on your needs. Call (716) 285-3515. Niagara County Crisis Services is affiliated with the new 988 three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). Visit the Niagara County Crisis Services webpage for more information. 

Suicide Prevention Center of NY
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. The site has information on at-risk and other groups at greater risk for suicide, and a wealth of other references and resources. 

The Trevor Project provides Crisis counselors who are trained to answer calls, chats, or texts from LGBTQ young people who reach out on the free, confidential and secure 24/7 service when they are struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ identity, depression, and suicide.
For Family Members and Loved Ones of Military Service Members and Veterans in NYS
  • WorriedAboutaVeteran.org (WAV), is an innovative resource for family members and loved ones of Military Service members and Veterans in New York State. Its purpose is to connect families with information and resources around firearm safety and suicide prevention.  
  • 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line Confidential, crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Individuals do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. 

  • Veterans Affairs Mobile Safety Plan App The Safety Plan app is for anyone who has experienced suicidal thoughts. The app helps you identify personal coping strategies and sources of support – giving suicidal thoughts time to decrease and become more manageable.

 
HARM REDUCTION AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION 

Evergreen Health Services Evergreen Health’s harm reduction and syringe service programs support people who use drugs. The team helps you reduce your risk of overdose, meet your health and wellness goals, and access the medical and supportive services you need.

MATTERS (Medication for Addiction Treatment and Electronic Referrals) offers free harm reduction supplies and educational materials to individuals and organizations across New York State.

National Harm Reduction Resource Center is a nationwide advocate and ally for people who use drugs.

Never Use Alone is the US National Overdose Response line that people can call when they’re using by themselves, with no one to call for help.
Call (877) 696-1996

Niagara County Department of Health provides leadership through community health assessment, assurance of the delivery of essential public health services, and policy development in accordance with public health law in order to ensure a disease-free environment for the citizens of Niagara County.

  • Opioid Overdose Prevention (Naloxone/Narcan) TrainingIn this course, learn what an opioid overdose is, how to administer the reversal agent naloxone (also known as Narcan), and how to treat an overdose victim after the medication is given. All participants will be eligible to take home their own naloxone kit upon completion of the training.
  • Sexual Health Center Confidential testing, treatment and counseling is available for anyone 13 years of age and older.
NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute Office of Drug User Health

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

  • Free Harm Reduction Supplies: Naloxone and test strips are available free of charge and direct to NYers to help prevent overdose deaths and save lives.

Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. The site provides overdose prevention and reversal information.

WNY WNY Opioid Addiction Treatment 24/7 Virtual MAT Center Quick Access to Medication Assisted Treatment facilitates rapid access via telehealth 24/7 to all 8 WNY regions. Hotline (716) 463-6222