3/10/2025
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Posted by Stacey Roberts, LCSW, Greater Mental Health of New York CEO
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In The Community
March is Social Work Month, a time to reflect on the invaluable contributions that social workers make to individuals and communities. At Greater Mental Health of New York*, we believe that everyone deserves greater mental health – and our team of passionate and dedicated social workers helps make this possible every day.
Our approach to mental health promotes integrated care and addresses health-related social needs. We accomplish this through a wide array of person-centered services and supports. What does this mean for the individuals and families engaged in our services? We help people who are seeking hope and healing, people who have experienced trauma and hardship, people who are trying to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and people who are working to build independent and fulfilling lives in their community. Simply put, we help people stay in their lives and engage in support where, when, and how they want based on their unique situations and goals.
We understand that mental health does not exist in isolation; it is influenced by and interconnected with various aspects of life. Our multifaceted programs reflect that: from mental health care, substance use recovery services, and care management to housing, employment support, and peer services, our care is designed to address the many facets of a person’s well-being. Ease of access is also critical to successful engagement: Many of our services are delivered in community locations, such as homes, schools, libraries, and more.
Our partnership with Fidelis Care plays a key role in this approach, helping ensure that clients have access to affordable services that can not only change lives, but also save them. Our work is built on a foundation of hope, compassion, and resilience. We know that many of the individuals and families we serve are dealing with multiple, interconnected challenges. Through our integrated care model, we help clients develop the skills and support they need to overcome these obstacles and achieve greater well-being. We are committed to fostering positive change in every person we serve.
I have had the privilege of seeing this positive change and the profound impact of social work countless times during my 25-year career at our community-based nonprofit organization. Soon after graduating with my master’s degree in social work, I became a clinician in our Partners in Parenting program, where I provided care and support to parents navigating mental health issues and working to keep their children in their custody. As my career grew, I had the opportunity to launch innovative new programs, including our Assertive Community Treatment model, which engages hard-to-reach and high-risk adults. Today, as CEO of our newly merged organization employing more than 400 dedicated staff in the Lower Hudson Valley region, I am continually inspired by our team of social workers and professionals who work tirelessly to improve the lives of children, youth, and adults.
This Social Work Month, I encourage you to remember that you are never alone. At Greater Mental Health, we are here for our community. Hope and healing are always within reach, and together, we can help people feel comfortable to speak up and seek help. Reaching out for support is a powerful step in one’s mental health journey, and our team is here to support you. Everyone deserves greater mental health, and we are here to help you achieve it.
*Greater Mental Health of New York is the merged entity of The Mental Health Association of Westchester and The Mental Health Association of Rockland.