About the AFSP Western Pennsylvania Chapter
The Western PA Chapter serves 25 counties in the western part of the state, and is fueled by the efforts of our volunteers to help save lives and support those affected by suicide loss. The counties we cover include:
Allegheny | Armstrong | Beaver | Bedford | Butler | Cambria | Cameron | Clarion | Clearfield | Crawford | Elk | Erie | Fayette | Forest | Greene | Indiana | Jefferson | Lawrence | McKean | Mercer | Somerset | Venango | Warren | Washington | Westmoreland
The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide. We DO NOT directly provide mental health or crisis services.
Chapter Contact: Suzie Cook, Area Director
email: westernpa@afsp.org | address:1597 Washington Pike, Ste. A38 Box 272, Bridgeville PA 15017
NAMI of Erie County
The families and members of NAMI Erie County PA are here to help! We offer understanding to anyone concerned about mental health challenges and support you through your recovery journey.
Mental illnesses are brain disorders that are biologically based medical problems. Untreated, they can cause severe disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating. This results in substantially diminished capacity for dealing with the ordinary demands of life. Mental illness can affect persons of any age and occur in any family. They are not caused by bad parenting and not evidence of weakness of character.
Mission:
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges and their families through support, education and advocacy.
Our Goals:
Advocate at the county, state and national levels for non-discriminatory access to quality healthcare, housing, education and employment for people with mental illness.
Educate the public about mental health challenges.
Work to eliminate the stigma of mental health challenges.
Advocate for increased funding for research into the causes and treatment of mental health challenges.
Our Vision:
In our envisioned future mental health challenges will no longer thwart a person’s fulfillment of his or her potential. With early pinpoint diagnoses, interventions and targeted medications and services there is no pervasive disability. Ultimately, we envision a day when prevention or a cure is found.