“Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, July 11, 2018 – Suicide Prevention
This Help Brings Hope Talk show features Annette Smith, Crisis Intervention Unit Coordinator and Davida Sales, Family Crisis Intervention Clinician. Annette and Davida present information on suicide prevention and activities they are involved with around suicide prevention, including community education presentations to schools, parents, law enforcement and other health care providers, and their clinical work with individuals and families around suicidal risks and behaviors.
“Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, June 13, 2018 – Men’s Health
This June 13 talk show interviewees were Bill Stover, Associate Executive Director and Jeff Greenfield, Director School Based Youth Service Programs. Men’s health was the featured topic and information was provided on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of men’s health as well as societal influences and their impact on men’s health. How do we define physical, mental and emotional health for men, what are some of the gender specific differences, what are and how do stereotypical perceptions impact men’s health practices are some of the topics discussed; and how Family Guidance Center therapists and psychiatrists address men’s overall health needs and issues.
“Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, May 9, 2018 – Mental Health Awareness Month and Opioid Overdose Recovery
This Help Brings Hope show interviewees were Katherine Penaherrera, Supervisor Opioid Overdose Recovery program, Julie Becker, Case Manager Intensive Outpatient programs and Rich McDonnell Executive Director. Featured topics included the thematic aspects of Mental health Awareness Month in May including the need for mental health services, stigma created barriers to services and the mental health services provided by the Family Guidance Center. Information on the new Opioid Overdose Recovery program was provided which works to engage individuals seen in local emergency departments who have been Narcan reversed from an overdose or assessed to have an opioid addiction. This program features recovery support specialists and a patient navigator with the intent of engaging individuals in treatment and ongoing recovery support services to halt the use of opioids. Additionally information was provided on exhibits of consumer works of art at 12 local businesses during mental health awareness month from our March 20 Art Show: Exploring Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Through Art depicting our consumers struggles and journeys of recovery.
“Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, April 11, 2018 – Effects of Technology in the Modern World
This “Help Brings Hope” features Bill Stover, Associate Executive Director and Jeff Greenfield, Director School Based Youth Service Program who presents information on the impact of technology and its’ effects on interpersonal relations in the modern world. Technology has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. How has it changed how we interact with each other? Has immediate access to information improved our lives or diverted out attention from each other? Does technology allow us to connect with more people who are far away yet disconnect with those who are next to us? These and other questions and issues are covered in this talk show such as how parents can manage age appropriate technology time and how parents can monitor the online activities of their children to assure their safety and more.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, March 14, 2018 – Parkland School Shooting/Mass Shootings
This “Help Brings Hope” focuses on discussions and information on the recent Parkland School Shooting. Laurie Boehm, Director of Program Services, Annette Smith, Coordinator Crisis Intervention Unit and Rich McDonnell, Executive Director discuss a number of issues with Joyce Estey including: tips on talking with children about these types of traumatic events; possible strategies and approaches to preventing mass shootings including: recognition of changes in behaviors/warning signs that family members, friends or associates may become aware of, and increased mental health wellness education in our school systems with students, parents and staff; describing the common social and emotional factors typically presented about what we know about these mass killers; and distinguishing the difference between serious mental illnesses versus the types of social/mental/emotional determinants often associated with mass shootings in the media, the stigma that creates and its’ impact on people seeking treatment and support for themselves or a loved one struggling with emotional or mental stress or trauma in their lives.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, February 14, 2018 – Love, Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
This “Help Brings Hope” focuses on Love. The focus is on all forms and expressions of love, not just romantic love. People without a romantic partner may feel lonely or depressed on Valentine’s Day but love can be experienced and shared with children, parents, siblings, friends, co-workers and most importantly, love for ourselves. Annette Smith, Coordinator of our Crisis Intervention Unit and Jeff Greenfield, Director of our School Based Youth Services program will speak about this and other related topics: key aspects and characteristics of healthy, loving relationships such as respect, consideration, non-judgement, communication of thoughts and feelings, ways to listen, understand and willingness to compromise; features of unhealthy as well as healthy relationships and how therapists can help individuals, couples and families make healthy relationship decisions; and, destructive or toxic relationships such as domestic abuse when participants say they love each other despite harming each other and how therapists counsel individuals who are victims or who need to get out of such relationships.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, January 10, 2018 – National Drug/Alcohol Facts Week
This “Help Brings Hope” WRNJ Talk Show features Bill Stover, Associate Executive Director and Liz Montalvo, Project Facilitator for our Prevention Connections Program who speak on the purpose and message of National Drug/Alcohol Facts Week, Jan.22-28; provide information on our Warren Hills Community Coalition and ways that citizens and organizations throughout Warren County can become involved with our coalition: and, provide information on our Adult and Adolescent substance abuse treatment programs as well as the various treatment interventions and recovery support services that we provide to youth, adults and families.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, November 8, 2017 – Talking with Children about Difficult Topics
This “Help Brings Hope” Talk Show features Bill Stover, Associate Executive Director, Jeff Greenfield, Director School Based Youth Services Programs and Davida Sales, Family Crisis Intervention Therapist who provide information and tips on “Conversing with Children about Difficult Topics”. They discuss ways for parents and adults interacting with youth to address traumatic event situations such as terrorist attacks, suicide, death; safe living and stages of development issues such as bullying, sexual harassment and substance abuse; and talks on sex education/sexuality, all in a manner and way that is effective and age appropriate.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, October 11, 2017 – Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery
This “Help Brings Hope” Talk Show features Family Guidance Center Prevention Specialist Mary Jo Harris, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke and Sarah Paramant, Department of Health Epidemiologist presenting information on substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery services and resources in Warren County in recognition of the SAMHSA decreed National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. Topics discussed include: a description of the role and work of the Warren County Department of Human Services and Municipal Alliances; the prevention initiatives of the Family Guidance Center Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities: and, the Warren County Prosecutor’s important collaboration with the Coalition and Countywide Collaboration Committee.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, September 13, 2017 – Transitioning Back to School
This “Help Brings Hope” Talk featured a presentation and discussion on Back to School Transition issues including transitions from grammar to middle school, middle school to high school and high school to college for students and their parents. Jeff Greenfield, Director and Melissa Servedio, Therapist from our School Based Youth Services program and Davida Sales, Therapist in our Family Crisis Intervention program present and discuss information and helpful tips on these transitions and how their programs work with students, families and school systems on these issues.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, July 12, 2017 – Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention Services
This “Help Brings Hope” Talk featured Laurie Boehm, Director of Program Services, Darrell Buckner, Coordinator Crisis Intervention Unit and Melissa Servedio, Therapist in our School Based Youth Services Program who presented information on suicide prevention. Darrell Buckner provides a brief overview of our crisis services and how to access them in relation to suicide prevention. He and Laurie Boehm provide specific information on risk factors and warning signs for suicide, QPR-question, Persuade, Refer intervention approaches and information on resources that can be accessed on this topic. Melissa describes suicide prevention activities and counseling approaches that are used in our school based programs and the various presentations and groups she has used to educate and inform youth of this serious issue and how talking about suicide helps to reduce the stigma and help youth to seek help for themselves and others. Information on state and national initiatives on suicide prevention and upcoming state and national initiatives on suicide prevention are also provided.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, June 14, 2017 – Prevent Underage Drinking around High School Graduations
This “Help Brings Hope” featured Mary Jo Harris, Community Coalition Coordinator and Liz Montalvo, Project Facilitator from the Family Guidance Center’s Prevention Connections program. June is graduation month and this show provided information on community initiatives to reduce and prevent underage drinking and the dangerous consequences that can occur around the time of high school graduations. Initiatives such as project graduation that some schools now offer, municipal ordinances like Parents Who Host the Most, Lose the Most and TIPS training are presented. Also discussed are a number of other initiatives that have been implemented with our Coalition for Safe and Healthy Communities and our Warren Hills Community Coalition that prevent and reduce underage drinking and the use of marijuana.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, May 10, 2017 – National Mental Health Awareness Month
This “Help Brings Hope” talk show features information on the intended message of National Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Richard McDonnell, Executive Director of the Family Guidance Center and Laura Richter, Mental Health Administrator for Warren County discuss efforts to increase community awareness of the prevalence and impact of untreated mental health disorders on the community; efforts to change perceptions about seeking help for mental health disorders, reducing shame, guilt and stigmatizing barriers to accessing mental health services; seeking treatment for mental health disorders as we would for physical health disorders such as diabetes, hypertension or heart disease; and, the impact and rate of successful recovery for persons and their families who do seek help with mental health problems. Laura Richter also speaks about the role of the Warren County Division of Mental health Services and Mental health Board with regards to the funding and types of services they support and monitor.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, March 2017 – NJ Response to the Heroin Opiate Epidemic and Its Impact on Our Communities
This “Help Brings Hope” talk show features Mary Jo Harris, Prevention Specialist and Diane Bonelli, Supervisor from the Family Guidance Center’s Prevention Connections program and agency Executive Director, Richard McDonnell. Topics discussed included: information on a number of substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery initiatives that have come to the forefront in NJ in response to the heroin opiate epidemic and continuing substance abuse problems impacting our communities and citizens; and, information on the work of our Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities and the Warren Hills Community coalition regarding prevention initiatives and activities.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, February 2017 – FGC and NAMI, Assisting Family Members of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
This “Help Brings Hope” talk show features the services the Family Guidance Center provides to family members of individuals with serious mental illness and our collaborative relationship with NAMI Warren, the local chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, a family support and advocacy organization. Jamie Grosslicht, Coordinator describes the services provided by our Intensive Family Support Services program to family members providing care to a mentally ill loved one and the important role that families play in the treatment and recovery of their loved ones and their need as care givers for education and support. Darrell Buckner, Coordinator of our Crisis Intervention Unit describes the services we provide to families through our Emergency Services, Family Crisis and Involuntary Outpatient Commitment programs and how our staff help family members to handle and cope with their loved ones during a mental health crisis, how to seek and get help and how to assist their loved ones in recovering from their mental health crisis. Barbara Lear, Coordinator Rehabilitation Services describes how we engage family members in their relatives treatment in our partial care and supported employment programs and its’ impact on successful recovery.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, January 2017 – Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse
This “Help Brings Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ with Bill Stover, Associate Executive Director, Diane Bonelli, Supervisor of our Prevention Connections program and Mary Jo Harris, Prevention Specialist for our Prevention Connections program. This show focused on the substance abuse prevention and treatment services provided by our agency to the Warren County community. The first half of this show focused on the work and activities of our Coalition for a Healthy and Safe Communities and our Drug Free Community Coalition with the Warren Hills Regional School District outlining the various environmental change strategies utilized to effect population level changes to reduce and prevent substance abuse. The second half of the show focused on the services provided by our Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment programs and their impact and service outcome results.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, December 2016 – Helpful Hints on Surviving and Thriving During the Holiday Season
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ with Richard McDonnell, Executive Director, Bill Stover, Associate Executive Director and Laurie Boehm, Director of Program Services on “Helpful Hints on Surviving and Thriving During the Holiday Season”. A number of topics were discussed including: holiday blues-what causes them and how they can be alleviated; how to manage holiday spending and family expectations; risks of increased substance abuse during this time of year and how to manage the stress associated with the holiday rush and preparations; how to avoid political discussions and family squabbles; and how to address cross-cultural issues within families such as the juxtaposition of Christmas and Hanukah.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, November 2, 2016 – Help for Students and School Based Youth Services
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring Jeff Greenfield, Director of School Based Youth Services, Darrell Buckner, Coordinator Crisis Intervention Unit, and Melissa Servedio, Mental Health Clinician. This interview described the role of School Based Youth Services in the Warren Hills Middle and High Schools and how the Crisis Intervention Units assist Warren County schools. Topics discussed include services for students who may have stress, anxiety or other mental health issues, as well as, issues of transitioning to middle school and bullying.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey, October , 2016 – Highlights of FGCs Programs
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring Annette Smith, Lead Clinician Family Crisis Intervention, Ron Schroeder, Supervisor Outpatient Mental Health Services and Barbara Lear, Coordinator Rehabilitation Services. This interview highlights services provided in five programs operated by FGC, their impact on the individuals and families served and personal client success stories for persons who attended these programs.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey on September 14, 2016 – Board Members Roles & Responsibilities – Looking for Members
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring the need for volunteers for the Family Guidance Center Board of Trustees. Participants included Glen Welch, President of the Board, Jeff Guidette, Vice-President of the Board and Rich McDonnell, Executive Director who presented information on board members roles and responsibilities, what qualifications and commitment are required, what areas of expertise are needed and why we need volunteer board members. Glen and Jeff also discussed why they serve on our board and on the value and impact of the services our Center provides to the residents of Warren County and the community at large.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey on August 10, 2016 – Stigma as a Barrier to the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring the Family Guidance Center Executive Director, Rich McDonnell, Associate Executive Director, Bill Stover, and Director of Program Services, Laurie Boehm as they discuss stigma as a barrier to treatment of mental health disorders and how to overcome it. Stigma associated with mental illness prevents many people from seeking help and treatment for mental health disorders. Although 1 in 5 people will experience a serious mental health disorder in their lives, two-thirds will not seek treatment. Over 70% of those who do seek treatment experience significant reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life. The impact of stigma and how individuals and families can benefit from an overall health and quality of life approach to getting help for mental and emotional problems just like they would for any health care need was discussed.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey on July 13, 2016 – FGC’s Intervention Unit Programs
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring Darrell Buckner, Coordinator Crisis Intervention Unit, Tiffany Oeckinghaus, Supervisor Crisis Intervention Unit, Annette Smith, Lead Clinician Family Crisis Intervention Program and Laura Gianacone, Supervisor Involuntary Outpatient Commitment. This interview described Family Guidance Crisis Intervention Unit programs including our Psychiatric Emergency Screening, Family Crisis, Involuntary Outpatient Commitment and Traumatic Loss Coalition programs.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey on June 8, 2016 – A Client’s Journey
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring Dr. Akhtar Hossain, Medical Director of the Family Guidance Center, Diane Berger, Outpatient Therapist and Laurie Boehm, Director of Program Services. This interview described a client’s journey from first contact with the Family Guidance Center through treatment and recovery. Topics discussed included first telephone inquiry, initial clinical and psychiatric intake evaluation, client centered treatment planning, therapy, pharmacology, education and support services, and the various ways that inter-related services can be provided based on a client’s needs.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey on May 11, 2016 – Treatment for Youth and Their Families
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring the Family Guidance Center Outpatient Supervisor, Melissa Meyer, Lead Clinician Family Crisis Intervention Program, Annette Smith and the Director of School Based Youth Services Program, Jeffrey Greenfield. Topics addressed in this talk show included ways in which youth and their families are served by the Family Guidance Center, how we work in partnership with other community and governmental entities (schools, law enforcement, prosecutor’s office and the courts) to provide a range of services and treatment to youth and their families in Warren County.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey on April 13, 2016 – FGC’s Rehabilitation Services and Client Discusses Impact of Mental Illness on Her Life
“Help for Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ featuring the Family Guidance Center Coordinator, Barbara Lear. Topics addressed in this talk show included information about Family Guidance Center’s rehabilitation services unit which includes partial care, supported employment and self-help center programs. Barbara was joined by a consumer who has participated in all three of these programs along with her father. Barbara presented information on the persons served in these programs, the range of services provided and the impact on our consumer’s recovery from serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. The consumer talked about the impact of a mental illness on her life, her journey of recovery and the positive outcomes from the services she received through these programs. The consumer’s father shared his experiences as a family care giver of a loved one with a mental illness and how Family Guidance also assisted him in coping with and managing his daughter’s illness.
WRNJ “Help Brings Hope” with Joyce Estey on March 1, 2016 – Overview of FGC’s Programs and Services
This March 1, 2016 “Help Brings Hope” talk show was conducted by Joyce Estey of WRNJ with guests Richard McDonnell, Executive Director, Bill Stover, Associate Executive Director and Laurie Boehm, Director of Programs Services and Quality Improvement of the Family Guidance Center (FGC). Topics addressed in this talk show included an overview of the programs and services provided by the FGC; the nature and prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders in the Warren County community; overcoming stigma to access treatment and help; and, the positive service outcomes and recovery for those individuals and families who engage in treatment.
Russ Long of WRNJ interviews Julie Becker, Case Manager for the Intensive Outpatient programs at the Family Guidance Center, May 18, 2017. Julie discusses the intent and message of National Mental Health Awareness Month in May and community outreach events conducted by the Center.