Susan Marie
Buffalo, NY 14224
LATEST PROJECTS
Project | 01
The Trevor Project
A Crisis Counselor is trained to answer chats or texts from LGBTQ+ young people who reach out on the free, confidential and secure 24/7 service when they are struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ+ identity, depression, and suicide.
Throughout training, volunteers, such as myself, assist LGBTQ+ individuals via counseling skills, with LGBTQ+ identity, crisis situations, services, and relevant policies, procedures, and protocols to speak with young people in crisis.
Project | 02
New York State Office of Mental Health Coping Circles via Governor Cuomo's Call to Action for Mental Health Assistance during Covid-19 Pandemic
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the implementation of “Coping Circles”, a first-in-the-nation program facilitated by the NYS Office of Mental Health to provide free support and group therapy sessions, held by video or phone and facilitated by licensed mental health professionals.
OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has made life more difficult. Coping Circles will help us ensure that New Yorkers who are struggling at this difficult time can receive the support and assistance they need. I am deeply grateful to all the Mental Health professionals who have answered Governor Cuomo’s call to help provide free services to New Yorkers seeking help.”
Project | 03
Western New York Agents of Change
This project is an initiative formed by all mental health professionals in Western New York as a call to action to Mayor Byron Brown.
Mental health is a public health issue not a criminal justice issue. Police presence during mental health crises criminalizes and increases the stigmatization of mental health, making those in need of preventative or crisis mental health services less likely to seek services.
Twenty-five percent (25%) of police killings involve a person with a mental health issue. Over-policing in Black and Brown neighborhoods and violent responses by police to mental health calls disproportionately injure, criminalize, imprison, and kill our Black and Brown neighbors.
The forming of a behavioral health team within the Buffalo Police Department is a way of pushing mental and behavioral health issues within our community out of sight of the public eye.