New River Valley Community Services

Today (October 10) is World Mental Health Day. Coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), this annual campaign raises awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This year's theme for the World Mental Health Day campaign is "Mental Health at Work" - highlight the vital connection between mental health and work. From WHO: "Safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health. Unhealthy conditions including stigma, discrimination, and exposure to risks like harassment and other poor working conditions, can pose significant risks, affecting mental health, overall quality of life and consequently participation or productivity at work. With 60% of the global population in work, urgent action is needed to ensure work prevents risks to mental health and protects and supports mental health at work. It is essential for governments, employers, the organizations which represent workers and employers, and other stakeholders responsible for workers’ health and safety to work together to improve mental health at work. Action to address mental health at work should be done with the meaningful involvement of workers and their representatives, and persons with lived experience of mental health conditions. By investing efforts and resources in evidence-based approaches and interventions at work, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work and in life. Let's take action today for a healthier future." #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #mentalhealthatwork #HOPE

We're kicking off #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek by premiering our latest "HOPE" video feature. Tony Owen, a Peer Recovery Specialist with NRVCS, shares his journey of abuse, mental health and substance use struggles, and what recovery and healing looks like in a world where nothing is perfect. As Tony puts it, "Despite times where I have wanted to not exist, I am thankful every single day that I'm still here." #HOPE #recoveryispossible #MIAW

National Co-Responder & Crisis Responder Week: Day 7 “Co-Response” programs partner first responders with behavioral health professionals to better respond to behavioral health crises and other situations involving unmet behavioral health needs. Throughout the week, we have been introducing you to the four co-response teams currently serving the New River Valley. We conclude that series with today's post. Pictured here are (from left) Ofc. Combs, Blacksburg Police Department; NRVCS Co-Responder Kristie; and Ofc. Campos, Christiansburg Police Department. (Photo - Ross Wilsie/NRVCS) #CoResponderWeek #CrisisResponderWeek

The Marcus Alert is named after Marcus-David Peters, a high school biology teacher killed by Richmond police in 2018 amid a mental health crisis. First signed into law in 2020, the Marcus Alert is designed to enhance services for people experiencing a crisis related to mental health, substance use, or developmental disability. The program creates coordination between 911 and regional crisis call centers and establishes a specialized response from law enforcement when responding to a potential behavioral health crisis. #MarcusAlert #CoResponderWeek #CrisisResponderWeek

National Co-Responder & Crisis Responder Week: Day 5 “Co-Response” programs partner first responders with behavioral health professionals to better respond to behavioral health crises and other situations involving unmet behavioral health needs. Throughout the week, we will be introducing you to the four co-response teams currently serving the New River Valley. Pictured here are and NRVCS Co-Responder Hannah (left) and Ofc. Turner (left) with the Radford University Police Department. (Photo - Ross Wilsie/NRVCS) #CoResponderWeek #CrisisResponderWeek

National Co-Responder & Crisis Responder Week: Day 4 “Co-Response” programs partner first responders with behavioral health professionals to better respond to behavioral health crises and other situations involving unmet behavioral health needs. Throughout the week, we will be introducing you to the four co-response teams currently serving the New River Valley. Pictured here are Ofc. Reece (left) with the Virginia Tech Police Department and NRVCS Co-Responder Kevin. (Photo - Ross Wilsie/NRVCS) #CoResponderWeek #CrisisResponderWeek

NRVCS is excited to attend the RU Fall Career Expo this evening! Stop by our table and see what we have to offer!

Representatives of NRVCS and local law enforcement attended the 5th Annual National Co-Responder Conference in Omaha, Nebraska this past June. NRVCS, a member of the International Co-Responder Alliance (ICRA), helps coordinate co-response teams in our region. Attending the conference were: (front row, left to right) Co-Responder Hannah; CIT Coordinator Patrick Halpern; and NRVCS Executive Director James Pritchett; (back row, left to right) Co-Responder Ashley, LMFT; Program Director Kari James, LPC; Virginia Tech PD Ofc. Shanks; Blacksburg PD Lt. Hayes; Co-Response/Law Enforcement Outreach Coordinator Joey Thacker; and Virginia Tech PD Ofc. Reece. (Submitted Photo) #CoResponderWeek?#CrisisResponderWeek

National Co-Responder & Crisis Responder Week: Day 3 “Co-Response” programs partner first responders with behavioral health professionals as a way to better respond to behavioral health crises and other situations involving unmet behavioral health needs. Throughout the week, we will be introducing you to the four co-response teams currently serving the New River Valley. First up are Deputy Osborne (left) with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and NRVCS Co-Responder Ashley. (Photo - Ross Wilsie/NRVCS) #CoResponderWeek?#CrisisResponderWeek

This week is National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week. NRVCS is a proud member of the International Co-Responder Alliance. Throughout the week, we'll be introducing you to the co-response teams serving communities throughout the New River Valley. We are grateful to these dedicated professionals for their efforts to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes for local residents. #CoResponderWeek #CrisisResponderWeek