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General Information

General information about mental health conditions, substance abuse and developmental disabilities will be shared on this page. 

Time and Distance can make the biggest impact in preventing suicide. The Suicide Prevention Coalition created this training video to help educate our community on the importance of firearm safety to help prevent suicide. Click here to see the video: 

Time and Distance: Firearm Safety & Mental Health

Content Warning: This video discusses suicide, suicide loss and method. This video is intended for adult audiences only.

If you struggle with thoughts of suicide, call Crisis Services 24- Hour Hotline -716-834-3131

Outside of Erie County, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255

Gun Storage/Safety. Firearms account for half of the deaths by suicide in our country. To ensure safety during a mental health crisis, it is critical to remove firearms from the home. The Suicide Prevention Coalition has developed an interactive Google Map for Erie County residents that shows where owners can voluntarily store their guns safely.

The goal of the Firearm Storage Options Map project is to educate gun owners and to spread an important message – if anyone in the household is having a mental health crisis, safe storage of the firearm is a simple step that can have a live-saving impact – together we can save lives!

The Mental Health Effects of Racism

Changes Video Series

Watch "Changes," video series presented by Richard Derwald in collaboration with the Erie County Dept. of Mental Health and Erie County Dept. of Senior Services on coping with change and living a healthy lifestyle.

Watch Episode 1 "Changes: Social Connection"

Watch Episode 2 "Changes: Living in the Moment"

Watch Episode 3 "Changes: All Gain - No Pain"

Watch Episode 4 "Changes: Nutrition"

Watch Episode 5 "Changes: Stay Informed but not Alarmed"

Watch Episode 6 "Changes: Re-entry Anxiety"

Video presentation by Mark O'Brien, Erie County Commissioner of Mental Health, about Understanding and Coping with Anxiety Disorders. : https://youtu.be/8t869Roa0Sc