Niagara County Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month with Launch of Hope Speaks Niagara Community Coalition

The Niagara County Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (NCDMH) is taking part in recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month, aimed at reducing stigma, providing support and educating the public on mental health.  As part of this effort, NCDMH officially launched the new Hope Speaks Niagara Community Coalition.

NCDMH Director Laura Kelemen said that in January, the Niagara County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Niagara County Opioid Task Force Advisory Panel began the process of reorganizing under the new Hope Speaks Niagara Community Coalition. The decision to merge these reflects a growing national movement toward integrating related mental health and substance use initiatives under a unified framework.

“Communities across the country are recognizing the strong overlap between substance abuse and suicide, and the need for a more efficient, coordinated, and holistic response,” said Kelemen. “By bringing these active member groups together, we are strengthening our ability to address interconnected crises, streamline public awareness efforts, and ensure that individuals and their families receive more comprehensive support.”

Myrla Gibbons-Doxey, deputy director of NCDMH and chair of the Hope Speaks coalition, said data from the July SAMHSA 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed the high rate of co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUDs)—nearly 47.3% of adults with serious mental illness also have an SUD.

“Mental Health Awareness month provides an opportunity to discuss this link between mental health conditions, suicide and substance abuse and how we are now integrating our care models rather than view these as separate initiatives,” said Doxey.  “The Hope Speaks coalition positions us to respond with greater impact, shared expertise, and a unified commitment to improving health and wellness across our county.”

Gibbons-Doxey said membership in the new coalition is diverse and inclusive in of representatives from partner agencies across cross-systems - including but not limited mental health, substance use and intellectual/developmental disability provider entities, peer and family peer support agencies, public health, DSS, probation, EMS / first responders, veterans' agencies, office for the aging, NY/NY HIDTA / Niagara County Crime Analysis Center, schools, local college and university, Native American / Indigenous people service providers, NYS Parks,  and faith-based organizations.  

With this announcement, NCMH launched a Hope Speaks Niagara Community Coalition webpage that can be found here: www.niagaracounty.gov/hopespeaks.  There is also a Facebook page.  For those in crisis or supporting someone who is, know that help is always available through Niagara County Crisis Services at 716-285-3515 or calling 988.