making connections
left: Miranda Menard, LCSW and Becca Giandalia, LMSW of the Malone Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic represented Citizen Advocates at the 34th Annual Field & Career Fair hosted by the University at Albany School of Social Welfare.
right: Associate Director of Behavioral Health Tim Durney, Nursing Team Lead Helen Seguin and Targeted Case Manager Matthew Thomas hand out giveaways and hot dogs at the Malone Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic’s Recovery Month picnic in September.
The Watertown Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center leads Citizen Advocates’ community outreach initiative.
The opening of the Watertown Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center gave Citizen Advocates the opportunity to introduce itself to a new city and county. The team from the Watertown BHUC did that and more, attending 19 community events in 2023. They connected with veterans, students, seniors, job seekers, trick-or-treaters and many more.
“Our presence destigmatizes mental health and addiction treatment for people who aren’t familiar with what we do, and connects us with partner agencies, prospective employees and potential clients,” said Natasha Howell, Associate Director of Behavioral Health, Watertown BHUC.
The Watertown clinic was not alone in its outreach work. The total number of events attended by Citizen Advocates climbed from 45 in 2022 to 73 in 2023, with sizable gains in Malone and Ogdensburg as well. Highlights included four Pride events, 19 school fairs and one Easter egg hunt.
“Our presence destigmatizes mental health and addiction treatment for people who aren’t familiar with what we do…”
2023 outreach events
18
2
Malone
Potsdam-Canton
13
1
Ogdensburg
Gouverneur
12
3
Saranac Lake
Plattsburgh
19
5
Watertown
Massena
73 total outreach events
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73 total outreach events *