mental health

Check Out Your Mental Health Resources!

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Take the time to know what mental health support resources are available locally if you live in Tompkins County. Resources are helpful to those experiencing mental health disorders, as well as to their families and friends. If you are at all concerned about your mental health, or about a loved one or someone you know, stay up to date about mental health and how to get help. You may even save a life.

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Here are some national online resources to check out:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI is America’s largest grassroots mental health organization, with hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations, and volunteers who raise awareness and provide support and education.

Mental Health America

Mental Health America is a non-profit organization that provides mental health advocacy, education and services to a specific service area, such as a state, county or metropolitan area. Affiliates bring together mental health consumers, parents, advocates and service providers for collaboration and action to inform, support and enable mental wellness, and emphasize recovery from mental illness.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

AFSP’s mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Its five core strategies include funding scientific research; offering educational programs for professionals; educating the public about mood disorders and suicide prevention; promoting policies and legislation that impact suicide and prevention; providing programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people at risk.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Trained and caring counselors support people (or their loved ones) with mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns. Free and confidential calls 24/7/365.

The Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Its teams work to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain, and empower parents, professionals, and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most.

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS)

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide is an information and training resource for community and professional organizations, educators, and parents. SPTS’s aim is to reduce the number of youth suicides and attempted suicides by encouraging public awareness through the development and promotion of educational training programs.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

The Steve Fund

The Steve Fund is the nation’s only organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of college students of color. It works with colleges and universities, outstanding non-profits, researchers, practitioners, and with groups serving diverse populations to stimulate dialogue and promote effective programs and strategies that build understanding and assistance for the mental and emotional health of the nation’s students of color as they enter, matriculate in, and transition from higher education.

It’s Better Together! Ithaca’s Fun Fair for Mental Health!

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“Better Together for Mental Health,” a free community-wide celebration, is back for its third iteration on Saturday May 10 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Ithaca’s Stewart Park. To mark Mental Health Awareness Month, the event is a fun day of free activities for all ages. Participate in mindful movement, dance, live music, street performances, workshops, free activities for kids including face-painting and carousel rides, indulge in free food offerings, and much more.

Free Carousel Rides at “Better Together”

Stewart Park will be abuzz with community organizations, mental health providers, instructors, and entertainers, creating a vibrant atmosphere for learning, laughter, and connection. Explore and learn about mental health, discover ways to support yourself, and connect with others. 

 “This will be our third year of Better Together, and we cannot wait for the community to join us again this year,” said Jaydyn McCune, co-chair of the planning committee. “This event highlights things we can all do on a daily basis to help keep ourselves and others mentally healthy. We encourage everyone to come out and join us to celebrate wellness. Let’s make mental health a collective priority, because we are truly ‘Better Together.’” 

Representatives from 50 different community organizations will be spread out along the walking path of the park between the large and small pavilions, to share information about their programs as well as provide wellness-based activities, such as arts and crafts, “make your own stress ball,” lawn games, food sampling and more.

Stewart Park’s carousel rides will be available at no cost for the duration of the event, with special thanks to McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore and Associates for their generous sponsorship.

Planned performances and mental health practices will take place throughout the day at the Large Pavilion. This year’s event will include performances by local favorites, including Rootstock, Cakebatter, SingTrece, RDF, Jack Brown, and Thousands of One. 

The Small Pavilion will be transformed into the Family Activities Pavilion, sponsored in part by The Sophie Fund. This space will host a multitude of children-focused activities, story-telling, crafts and games.

There will be multiple food vendors on-site, providing free food for all in attendance, thanks to the generous event sponsors. Food vendors include Catering by Luna Inspired Street Food, Yxi’s Arepas & Gorditos, Meg -A-Moo’s Ice Cream, Via’s Cookies, Babe’s Burger, and Funk ‘n Waffles.

“Better Together for Mental Health” is grateful for the support of its many sponsors, partners, and supporters:

Cayuga Health; CFCU Community Credit Union; Guthrie; True Insurance; Community Foundation of Tompkins County; Friends of Greg Eells; Health & Unity for Greg (HUG); Sciarabba Walker & Co.; The Sophie Fund; Therm; Tompkins Financial; McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore, and Associates; Vicki and Jay Williamson of Northwestern Mutual; Wegmans; Carla and Steve Fontana; Gene Yarussi; and numerous others.

On May 3, Let’s Walk with NAMI!

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to celebrate and support the providers, caregivers, educators, advocates, and other dedicated souls who aid mental health and wellness in our community.

Ithaca Walking for NAMI in 2024

That’s why 200 or so mental health champions will participate in a fundraising walk for the Finger Lakes chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at Ithaca’s Stewart Park on May 3 from 3-6 p.m.

Click here to be a sponsor, become a fundraiser, donate to a team, or sign up to join the NAMI Walk. This year’s goal is to raise $50,000.

The NAMI Walk funds programs such as peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.

NAMI Finger Lakes also offers an array of peer-led programs that provide free education, skills training, and support. It operates a HelpLine where experienced volunteers answer calls for support and mental health resources. The number is (607) 273-2462.

Just as important, the event is an occasion for those affected by mental illness to share community and draw strength from solidarity.

“Engaging with NAMI, talking to my friends about mental health, and being part of a greater community of trusting, stigma-breaking people has made me feel ‘not alone,’” said Sandra Sorensen, the chapter’s executive director.

“My team walks in memory of my late husband Michael, who died by suicide in May of 2021. Michael was afraid of stigma and lived a life hiding from his mental health issues,” she said.

In-person Walk registration begins at 3 p.m., and the event provides a 1-mile walking route and a fun 5K route for runners.

Despite the serious subject matter, the annual NAMI Walk is a joyful event that includes lawn games and face painting for kids of all ages. NAMI Finger Lakes is joined by local mental health partners who set up information tables about mental health resources available in the community.

“I have been profoundly moved by the support NAMI Finger Lakes has been able to give to so many people,” said Meggin Rose, a chapter board member.

“I have talked with many, many people who have told me that they no longer feel alone, that they now have hope and are acquiring the tools they need to navigate their own, or their loved one’s mental health challenges.”

One of this year’s walkers is Hayden Plattus, a NAMI volunteer through a course at Cornell University. “Having seen first-hand the challenges of providing mental health support, I became determined to raise funds for NAMI and spread its resources to more families,” she said.

Sponsors of the 2025 NAMI walk include Segal & Sorensen, Cayuga Health, Tompkins Community Bank, Wegmans, Cornell University, CFCU Community Credit Union, Guthrie, and Cayuga Landscape. 

NAMI Finger Lakes is one of some 600 local affiliates of NAMI, a national mental health organization founded in 1979 dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI says its mission is to educate, support, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.

Where to Find Help for Your Mental Health

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The Mental Health Support and Crisis Services resource for Tompkins County has been updated for 2025. The brief guide is compiled every year by The Sophie Fund in collaboration with Tompkins County Whole Health, Cayuga Health, Guthrie, and the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County.

The guide is a hyperlinked listing of essential local services for suicide prevention, psychotherapy, addiction recovery, sexual assault and domestic violence, and support groups. Click on the links for more detailed information about available services and programs.

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Click HERE for other brief mental health guides compiled by The Sophie Fund

Fundraising to Support Healthcare for All

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The Sophie Fund’s 2024 “Cupcake Button” fundraising campaign collected $1,055.00 for the Ithaca Free Clinic.

The campaign was spearheaded by several Cornell University student organizations: Cornell Circle K; Pre-Professional Association Towards Careers in Health (PATCH); Alpha Phi Omega Gamma Chapter (APO); and Cornell Minds Matter.

Leah Goddard, Scott MacLeod, Hunter Leach

At a luncheon at the Statler Hotel on March 21, Circle K Co-Presidents Leah Goddard and Hunter Leach delivered a check for the Ithaca Free Clinic.

“Circle K was proud to support the Ithaca Free Clinic through the Sophie Fund fundraiser. Our Halloween-themed sugar cookie and apple cider sale brought our club together for a meaningful cause,” said Goddard.

“We’re especially thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the Free Clinic’s mission of providing compassionate, accessible healthcare, and we look forward to supporting this important work for years to come,” added Leach.

Click here to make a donation to the Ithaca Free Clinic

“Many thanks to The Sophie Fund and the Cornell students for raising such a sizable contribution! We are so grateful for your support!” said Ithaca Free Clinic Executive Director Norbert McCloskey.

The Ithaca Free Clinic provides medical and other health services to clients regardless of their ability to pay. It primarily serves individuals who are without health insurance, or whose health insurance does not cover the services they need.

According to McCloskey, the Free Clinic provides healthcare services to people who earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid, are too young to be eligible for Medicare, and do not earn nearly enough to afford usable, low copay and low deductible health insurance plans available through the Affordable Care Act’s Market Place.

In the first eight months of 2024, the Free Clinic provided free health care services to 671 individuals (438 female patients and 233 male patients) in 1,269 scheduled appointments.

Representatives from PATCH, Cornell Circle K, Alpha Phi Omega, and Cornell Minds Matter

“PATCH is deeply committed to supporting equitable healthcare, so raising money for the Ithaca Free Clinic was incredibly meaningful to us,” said Lily Ehsan, PATCH’s community service co-chair.

 “As future healthcare professionals, we’re proud to contribute to an organization that provides essential care to our local community regardless of income or insurance status. It was inspiring to see so many Cornell students come together in support of such an important cause.”

The Ithaca Free Clinic receives no federal or state financial funding, completely relying on community support in the form of monetary donations, in-kind donations, and the generous donation of the time and talent of its volunteers.

It opened in 2006 as one of the first to offer both primary medical and holistic care through an integrated model. The Ithaca Health Alliance is a 501(c)3 organization that sponsors and operates the Ithaca Free Clinic. The Alliance has been dedicated to seeking solutions to local healthcare challenges since 1997.

The Sophie Fund organizes the Cupcake Button campaign and the related Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest each fall to promote mental health awareness and raise monies for local nonprofits supporting community mental health. Donors receive a Cupcake Button featuring the image of a cupcake created by Sophie Hack MacLeod, a Cornell art student who died by suicide in 2016 for whom The Sophie Fund is named.

Scott MacLeod, co-founder of The Sophie Fund, expressed his appreciation to the Cornell student organizations for supporting the Ithaca Free Clinic.

“It is gratifying to see Cornell students stepping up to partner with community organizations. The Sophie Fund is proud to work alongside Cornell organizations to advance mental health not only on their campus but in the greater Ithaca community as well.

“In these challenging times, all of us were especially passionate to support the Ithaca Free Clinic, and Norb McCloskey and his team, true champions of healthcare.”

MacLeod said that since 2017 the Cupcake Button campaigns have raised a total of $7,667.66 for eight local nonprofits supporting mental health: Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County; Mental Health Association in Tompkins County; Advocacy Center of Tompkins County; the Village at Ithaca; The Learning Web; NAMI-Finger Lakes; Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca; and the Ithaca Free Clinic.