����������

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF ONTRACKNY @ MHA

��

The Mental Health Association of Westchester is happy to announce the launch of OnTrackNY @ MHA, My Health, My Choices, My Future.�� OnTrackNY is an evidence-based team approach to providing recovery-oriented treatment to young people who have recently begun experiencing psychosis.����

��

Early psychosis refers to the period of time during which a person begins experiencing particular signs that may include: auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, paranoid feelings, unusual beliefs or disorganized thoughts.�� Some may also experience a��lack of interest in things they used to be interested in, a lack of emotion, social withdrawal or changes in attention to physical care, and difficulty communicating.

��

The initiative is being led by Dr. Tia Dole, who prior to coming to MHA, was co-founder of The PEER Program at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, an early intervention program for first episode of psychosis.

��

Using a team approach, OnTrackNY@MHA works with young adults aged 16 to 30, and their families, to help them achieve their goals for school, work, and relationships.�� Although the��experience of��psychosis and��associated behaviors��can be frightening, recovery is a reality.�� With the right intervention, at the right time,��individuals can and will continue on their journey through life.�� Many will quite quickly feel back to “normal” and enjoy their friendships, families and romantic relationships.�� It is the mission of the program to support young people to stay “on track,” working towards their goals.��

��

In the past, being diagnosed with psychosis often meant that the future people had planned for themselves may not happen.�� However, recent research and practice has shown us that early intervention can halt the progression of the condition.�� In fact, people who get the right treatment and support early are more likely to keep living their lives as they imagined.

��

Please contact us at��ontrackny@mhawestchester.org or 914-666-4646 x7725 with questions.

��

MHA is one of four sites who have been awarded funds for staff, training, and technical assistance, to be administered by the Center for Practice Innovation at the ���������� State Psychiatric Institute under the direction of Lisa Dixon, M.D. M.P.H.�� and funded by The ���������� State Office of Mental Health (), in collaboration with , , and .

��