Charles Evans Center Awarded Grant to Provide Crisis Counseling and Outreach to Individuals and Families Impacted by COVID-19

By Dr. Daniel Vogrin, Director of Operations for Glen Cove

The coronavirus pandemic has played havoc with the psychological and emotional well-being of the general population. Daily reports of infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths, along with the effects of quarantine, social distancing and economic loss, have led to an increase in reports of depression, anxiety, isolation and thoughts of self-harm. The Charles Evans Center is grateful to announce that the organization has joined the NY Project Hope initiative to establish a Crisis Counseling Program to provide mental health assistance to individuals and families affected by coronavirus.

NY Project Hope Emotional Support is a program of the New York State Office of Mental Health funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With this grant assistance, CEC will develop multiple teams of trained and knowledgeable professionals and paraprofessionals to provide crisis counseling and outreach to the community. According to our Project Coordinator Patrick Murphy, LCSW-R, each team will consist of a Team Leader, who is a licensed human service professional, and several licensed counselors who will connect with people via telehealth applications to provide crisis counseling, emotional support, coping strategies, self-care, psycho-education and guidance. Each team also will include several outreach workers who will get the word out in a non-stigmatizing manner through social media and hands-on visits to locations frequented by potential participants. In terms of privacy, talking with any of the counselors will be free, confidential and anonymous.

Dr. Anne Emmerson, CEC Board President, stated, “The pandemic has had a terrible impact on Long Island. I’m proud and grateful that our organization can offer this valuable service to the local community. I encourage all Long Islanders impacted by coronavirus to please call and speak with one of our counselors who understands what you are going through and can offer help.”

For assistance or further information, including employment in the program, please contact Charles Evans Center (516) 622-8888 or Charles Evans Center – Glen Cove (516) 676-2388. For the NY Project Hope Emotional Support Helpline please call (844) 863-9314.