Cassandra Sheets

Recovery advocates across New York State gathered virtually on February 8^th to call on the Governor and Legislature to address the ongoing need for additional resources to promote and support recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions.

The day began with a network session followed by a rally, with over 1000 people streaming, during which leaders of the recovery movement, individuals and family members living in recovery, were joined by local, state, and national governmental officials.

Center for Family Life and Recovery hosted the event on a local level sharing recovery stories posted on the CFLR Facebook page.

Center for Family Life and Recovery is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709

Utica, New York (February 2022) – The suicide of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst is shining a light on the stigma of suicide and mental health in the Black community. In the United States (U.S.), suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all ages and the 2nd leading cause of death for youth and young adults between the ages of 10-34 (CDC 2021)

The pandemic has played a huge factor in people experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders and it has been harder for minorities to access mental health and substance-abuse services. Suicide rates have increased among Black adolescents in recent years. Black girls in grades ninth through twelfth grade were 60% more likely to attempt suicide compared to white girls the same age.

The Center for Family Life & Recovery, director of Prevention Services, Jodi Klostreich urges “Let’s talk about it, ask the questions, get involved, be supportive, and lessen the stigma surrounding mental health.  Everyone struggles in their life with something, no one is immune to life’s challenges and there is no discrimination regarding mental illness or addiction.  What is critical to saving a life is recognizing someone is struggling and really having a difficult time and asking them questions while being supportive. When someone is having an increased risk of mental health challenges this can increase the risk of suicide.”

If you know or feel you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition, there is something you can do.  If you or your loved one needs immediate help, call: 911, MCAT at (315) 732-6228 or (844) 732-6228, or the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255; Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 or Text 838255. The hotlines are free and confidential and available 24/7.

The Center for Family life & Recovery is there for you or loved ones.  The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is the lead agency for the Oneida County Suicide Prevention Program (OCSPP).  Our mission is to prevent suicide in our community by strengthening the coordination and accessibility of services; providing awareness of suicide prevention, facilitating intervention and post-prevention services, enhancing support to those affected by suicide, and providing awareness of mental health. We work to accomplish these goals in our schools, with our families, and in the community.  For more information on the many services and program we offer please visit whenthereishelpthereishope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Utica, New York (January 2022) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is seeking nominations for 2022 Amethyst Awards. The Amethyst Award is given to a member of our community who has helped others by inspiring them with the message of hope and recovery in the fields of mental health and chemical dependency, as well as treatment and prevention. The Amethyst Award was inspired by the Amethyst stone where the purplish and reddish colors have represented the chastening and purifying effects of suffering. The Amethyst stone has become a symbol of recovery. Anyone in the community can be awarded the Amethyst Award.

Nominations can be submitted on CFLR, Inc.’s website, HERE. Nominations will be accepted through February 28, 2022.  The Amethyst Award will be presented at Center for Family Life and Recovery’s 2022 April Awareness Breakfast, “Celebrating CommUNITY Connections,” to be held on April 26th at Hart’s Hill Inn, in Whitesboro.  Ticket information is available on CFLR’s website and by calling the office.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives.

Utica, New York – The Prevention department of Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) is looking for volunteers for the Compeer Program. The Compeer Program is an international organization that focuses on helping those who are struggling with mental health disorders through the power of friendship and has been offered locally by CFLR for the past 7 years. The program matches both youth and adults with a mental health diagnosis in Oneida and Herkimer counties with caring volunteers who want to help make a positive impact on someone’s life. Serving the Mohawk Valley since the mid-1980s, Compeer continues to be a positive influence on our communities.

The Compeer Program at CFLR has a mission: Promoting good mental health through meaningful friendships. “Friendship is powerful medicine, be a lifeline for someone who is struggling with their mental health today,” says Ashley Miller, Family Peer Advocate with CFLR, who helps to oversee Compeer at CFLR. Also overseeing this program is Francesca Esposito as a Prevention Service Coordinator since early 2021. She says about the program, “Human relationships foster positive and proactive mental health and wellbeing. Our Compeer Program facilitates these lasting and meaningful relationships through friendship. The impact of even the simplest social interaction can have a lasting benefit on individuals in need.”

For Compeer to be as fun and efficient as possible, amazing volunteers are needed. Volunteers are asked to meet a few basic requirements; be over 18 years of age, be able to pass a background check, attend orientation training, and can devote at least four hours each month to their new friend.

Mentoring opportunities include:

• 1:1 Youth Friendship: Volunteer is matched with a youth in a 1:1 supportive friendship
• 1:1 Adult Friendship: Volunteer is matched with an adult in a 1:1 supportive friendship
• E-Buddies: Volunteers communicate with match or individual via email/text/phone calls/video calls/social media

If volunteering interests you, reach out to Ashley Miller at (315) 768-2678 or amiller@clfrinc.org Or, visit the CFLR website at https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com/services/prevention-services/share-your-story/

CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness and transform lives as well as support individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues. The vision of CFLR is to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709

Out of Darkness Walk brought to the Mohawk Valley

Utica, NY- October 3, 2021− The annual Mohawk Valley Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Greater Central New York Chapter and the Center for Family Life and Recovery will be held at the MVCC campus in Utica on October 3 from 9:30 am -12:00 pm. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.

Proud supporters include the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Hero’s for Hope, Callanan Industries and Partners for Prevention sponsor Helio Health to bring the Out of Darkness walk to the Mohawk Valley.

“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Karen Heisig, the event co-chair and Associate Area Director for the Chapter.

The Mohawk Valley Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention.

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers, and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.