Project Hope Begins Operation: Free Crisis Counseling Available

County Executive Ed Day and the Department of Mental Health’s Acting Commissioner Susan Hoerter, D.O. are pleased to announce the operation of Project Hope. Project Hope is a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funded program operated by the New York State Office of Mental Health in conjunction with Astor Services for Children and Families and MHA of Westchester.

Project Hope provides Rockland County residents with trained counselors to give free and confidential crisis counseling, referral to local community agencies and tips to help you manage the stressors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Susan Hoerter stated, “We know that the impact of COVID reaches far beyond just physical health.  The virus itself, as well as the associated isolation and disruption of normal roles and routines, can have a negative effect on the emotional well-being of youth and adults.  Project Hope offers help to those impacted by COVID and is both free and easily accessible.”

Crisis counseling will be culturally and linguistically competent and offered in French Creole, Spanish and Yiddish, as well as translation services in other languages. 

“This has been a difficult year for all of us as we have had to adapt to an all-new set of circumstances and deal with possible trauma related to the pandemic,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I applaud the work of our Department of Mental in securing these services which provide free support for our residents. Rockland has long been ahead of the curve in caring for our resident’s mental health and I urge folks to take advantage of this new service.”

Talk to a trained crisis counselor, Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM by calling: Children and Families – Astor Services at 845-204-5223, Adults – MHA Westchester at 845-580-2022.

  crisis counseling, hope, project, project hope Rockland county