Behavioral health site not just for soldiers

A new Web site that is aimed at being a clearinghouse of information on military mental health issues has been launched by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.

The site has compiled information from service providers on and off Fort Drum, and intends to help make misconceptions about mental health issues dissipate and to provide a one-stop shop for military families to learn about services.

"One gap that remains is community education about behavioral health issues," said Richard L. Halpin, the Extension's executive director. "The Web site is just one tool in the toolbox to help this."

The site is part of a larger project being headed by the extension and is a result of working with the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, community and Fort Drum providers.

The extension has planned at least two sessions for the upcoming months that will work to educate residents and leaders on military mental health issues.

"We are taking the Web site and putting it into a training and talking about the stigma of mental health care and where to go on Fort Drum and in the community," said Kate L. Falb, the extension's community mental health educator. "Providers will be there to help increase the discussion on these issues."

The first session will be Jan. 27 on Fort Drum. The second is scheduled for March 4 and will be at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building, 203 N. Hamilton St.

The need for the project to educate the community on mental health was assessed earlier this year, Mr. Halpin said.

He said the area has made great strides in recruiting mental health practitioners, and educating the community is the next step.

"This is for everybody. It's not military-specific. The fact of the matter is that the Army families are part of the fabric of our larger community," he said. "When deployments occur, under the best of circumstances, families are stressed. Secondly, with the economic activity and the growth Fort Drum has brought to the community, there are simply more people out and about and you are going to need more services and a better awareness of mental health."

Those interested in signing up for the free educational sessions hosted by the Extension should call Mrs. Falb at 788-8450.

Also, anyone who would like to add an event or update organization programs on the site should e-mail Mrs. Falb at klf55@cornell.edu.