We are proud to spotlight the important work of Family Services of Westchester (FSW) as Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close. Financial pressures and social isolation from COVID-19 make our at-risk neighbors even more vulnerable to depression, loneliness, self-harm and destructive behaviors, and place children at higher risk of abuse and neglect. Family Services of Westchester's  services are needed now more than ever to help our community cope and survive. Serving 30,000 people a year with counseling, education and support during a crisis, Family Services of Westchester is a pillar for health and wellness in Westchester. 

Here are some of the ways FSW has mobilized to help during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Mental health clinicians conducted an average of record-breaking 1,300 therapy sessions per week via telephone and video, an increase over the same period last year.
  
  
• Certified preschool teachers are providing daytime child care for children of healthcare workers and first responders in White Plains.
  
  
• Their Junior Board released $2,500 in grocery gift cards from their Enrichment Fund to help Head Start impacted by school closures.
  
  
• The RideConnect program is taking seniors to essential medical appointments like chemotherapy and dialysis. They also have nearly 700 volunteers providing grocery shopping and medication delivery for seniors. 
  
  
• FSW has provided an unbroken chain of support to hundreds of veterans and their families virtually, including case management services and “happy hour check-in” and "sip tea and paint" events via video conference.
  
  
  

Family Services of Westchester is a private, nonprofit agency dedicated to providing a broad range of social and mental health services to support and strengthen Westchester County's children, individuals, and families throughout every stage of their lives. Learn more: https://www.fsw.org