Programs
Direct Services
Revolving Emergency Loan Fund
Recipients of behavioral health services are eligible to apply for a one- time emergency loan of up to $500 to help with needs such as utilities, rent, automotive repairs, medications, etc. Call to schedule an intake.
Peer to Peer Services
You don’t have to do it alone. The Peer To Peer program can help.We offer one-to-one support for recovery from mental illness through Certified Peer Specialists—people who are successfully progressing in their own recovery and have received intensive training in peer support. Certified Peer Specialists can help you further your recovery at your own pace, and in the areas you choose. You might feel sometimes like there is no one who understands what you’re going through. But you’re not alone. We’ve been there, we know what it’s like, and we want to help. We know things can get better. We’re Here. We’ll share your journey of recovery, offering hope and resources gained through personal experience and professional training. Your Peer Specialist can help you broaden connections, explore options, and meet your goals. It’s Easy to Get Started. If you are a resident of Franklin or Fulton Counties and want to progress in your recovery from mental illness, you qualify. Call us at (717) 264-4301. It only takes a few minutes to complete the application process.
HelpLine
Just feeling anxious? Need reassurance? Call the HelpLine at 717-264-2916 or 1-800-593-8351. Staffed by trained certified peer specialists who have been there.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group
Survivors of Suicide (SOS) meets every other week at the MHA office in Chambersburg. SOS is for family members, friends and loved ones who have lost someone important to them to suicide. Members discuss their loss, provide support to each other in a caring and loving manner. Call MHA at 717-264-4301 for a schedule of meetings.
Advocacy Services
Community Support Program
What is CSP of Franklin/Fulton County? It is a coalition of individuals, family members, mental health professionals, and other community members who are working together to help adults with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse live successfully in the community. It is part of a statewide coalition that began in 1984. The local CSP began in May 2000 and is part of the Central Region, which includes several nearby counties. Through the local CSP initiative, small seed grants to CSP, agencies, and advocacy groups have generated innovative trainings, wellness conferences, special events such as Christmas in July, the annual art show, anti-stigma campaigns, CSP celebrations and the production of a wide variety of literature. Through CSP, consumers have been empowered and have risen to leadership roles.
Aging Advocacy
MHA provides advocacy services at the South Mountain Restoration Center. SMRC is the only state owned nursing facility in PA. Call for more information.
Youth Advocacy
MHA provides advocacy services for adjudicated youth at both the Youth Forrestry Camp # 3 and the South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit. Call for more information.
Community Advocacy
MHA provides advocacy services for community members who need assistance with getting appropriate or desired services.
Satisfaction Services
Individual Family Satisfaction Team (IFST)
IFST finds out how satisfied people are with the services they receive from mental health providers. We do this by creating surveys that ask questions such as “Does the staff at your provider treat you with respect?” or “Do you feel your mental health providers listens to you?” These surveys are created by IFST in partnership with many stakeholders- recipients of services, service providers, county MH/MR staff, family members, MHA staff and members of our advisory committee. The surveys focus on a single provider or area of community need. The surveys are conducted by phone or face-to-face. The results are tallied and analyzed by IFST and a report of findings is written. These findings are shared in a public meeting open to everyone. Results of IFST surveys are utilized by both MH/MR and providers to help plan improvements in how services are delivered. MHA conducts surveys of CHIPP funded programs for both Franklin/Fulton MH/MR and Bedford/Somerset County MH/MR.
Managed Care surveys in Franklin/Fulton, Bedford/Somerset and Blair Counties
IFST also conducts surveys for three managed care entities. In Franklin/Fulton- Tuscorora Managed Care Alliance; In Bedford/Somerset- Behavioral Health Services of Somerset and Bedford Counties; In Blair- Central Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Collaborative. These surveys are conducted on an ongoing basis. Each entity provides IFST with a confidential list of names of service recipients. From those lists we randomly choose names of individuals to survey as to their satisfaction for all services that are paid for through medical assistance. The results are tallied each month. Quarterly and yearly reports are provided that help improve services and system processes. Survey recipients are also able to communicate about issues that need immediate attention and through this process many problems are resolved.
IM4Q
MHA conduct interviews with recipients of developmental disability services in Franklin and Fulton Counties. The survey results are tallied and analyzed by state annalists who write an annual report on the satisfaction of service recipients with their providers.
Education Services
Information & Referral
Need help finding a provider or information on mental illness? Call us at 717-264-4301. We can help.
Pierre the Pelican
Experiencing the joy of the birth of your first child? Wish that they would hand you a “how to” manual at the hospital for raising your baby? Guess what? MHA supplies the Chambersburg Hospital with Pierre the Pelican- a research based booklet that covers the first 18 months of your childs life. You can also call MHA at 717-264-4301 for a copy.
Publications
MHA has many publications that can be emailed direct to your computer. We also can direct you to multitudes of on-line libraries to help you learn about mental wellness.
MHA Library
MHA has a lending library with hundreds of titles. Call today to make an appointment to browse.
Stigma Busters
What’s a stigma buster? You are! If you have a desire to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness you can be a part of our stigma busting program. We conduct presentations and hold seminars on a variety of topics. We tell our stories of recovery, inspiration and life experiences.
Suicide Intervention Training
MHA has certified instructors who provide training in three different types of evidence based intervention models.
ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is a 2-day workshop designed to teach the skills to competently and confidently intervene with individuals at risk of suicide. Developed by LivingWorks Education, Inc., the workshop prepares Gatekeepers to integrate principles of intervention into everyday practice.
The curriculum is divided into 4 learning modules: attitudes, knowledge, intervention & resources. Skills and principles are illustrated with case studies presented in videos and live dramatizations, role-play simulations, discussions and in the Suicide Intervention Handbook.
By the end of the workshop, participants will be better able to:
- Reduce attitudinal barriers which hinder the ability to be direct and comfortable with suicidal situations
- Dispel myths about suicide
- Identify the indicators and assess suicidal risk
- Intervene with individuals at risk of suicide
- Engage in efforts to build collaborative resource networks for intervention
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer - 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. QPR can be learned in our Gatekeeper course in as little as one hour.
Special Events
Walk the Walk
Each year MHA holds a local walk campaign to increase awareness of mental illness and to recognize all persons that have been touched by mental illness in our community. This event is called “Walk the Walk”. Folks from all walks of life take part and include those with mental illnesses, family members, mental health professionals, public officials and supporters of the mental health cause.
Over 300 participants, representing many agencies, organizations and programs, from Franklin County and all across Central Pennsylvania attended attend each year’s event. The Walk reaches many people with news coverage provided by the print media.
The walk takes place in the Borough of Chambersburg. There is a program with several speakers, the reading of the mental health month proclamation and a kick-off ceremony. Each walker is given a commemorative T-shirt to wear during the walk and throughout the year thereafter. Walkers are given refreshments along the route and enjoy dinner and entertainment at its completion.
Wellness Conferences
MHA holds wellness conferences each year in both Franklin & Fulton counties. Hundreds of topics have been presented by local, regional and nationally known speakers. Contact MHA for more information if you would like to attend or be considered to present.
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