By Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS, a mental health nonprofit serving Virginia

Thanks to years of public outreach and education, our culture is much more aware of mental health issues and more willing than ever to openly discuss them. But with 1 in 5 adults experiencing a mental health issue each year and less than half receiving help, there is still room for improvement. That’s why we put extra emphasis on mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Throughout May, it’s a time to focus on our own mental health and those around us. As the head of a nonprofit that focuses on mental health, it’s also a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made as a culture in recognizing that mental health is a critical component of overall wellness. The stigma around acknowledging and speaking about mental health issues continues to fade. However, we must continue to push forward because improving mental health changes and saves lives and strengthens communities.

According to Mental Health America, more than half of people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime.  Having the tools, insight, and acceptance to get help will ensure better outcomes for ourselves and other people in our lives.  Here are some ways you can help:

1. Self-Care—Start by helping yourself.

• Eat well
• Get enough sleep
• Set goals and priorities
• See friends
• Exercise

2. Recognize the Signs—Mental health issues are not always easy to recognize. Here are a few signs to be aware of:
   • Excessive worrying or fear
   • Feeling abnormally sad or low
   • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
   • Extreme mood changes
   • Avoiding friends and social activities
   • Thoughts of suicide

3. Educate—One of the biggest ways to help is to make sure loved ones and friends know there is a quick way to connect: 988, the new three-digit number to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that links people with trained crisis counselors. PRS answers 988, along with regional crisis lines, for most of Virginia—including Northern Virginia—and is also a national 988 back-up center and 988 chat/text center for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  If someone in crisis reaches out, trained PRS crisis counselors will provide emotional support and work collaboratively with the caller, chatter or texter and community partners, when appropriate, to connect them to services and resources.

4. Volunteer—Community mental health nonprofits have many volunteer needs, such as organizing fundraisers and drives, helping clients and workers, answering hotline calls, and more.

5. Donate—Ensuring more people get the help they need to overcome mental health challenges requires funding and donating to mental health nonprofits helps us meet critical needs.

Let’s celebrate our progress this May.  Do so by prioritizing mental health for yourself, your loved ones, and the community.

Established in 1963, PRS is a community-based nonprofit that provides skills training and supports to adults living with serious mental illness in Northern Virginia. PRS has grown to be a leader and innovator in the “recovery” model of rehabilitation, which tailors services to each individual’s needs and goals. Today, PRS serves over 800 persons yearly with a variety of rehabilitation services designed to facilitate clients’ recovery from mental illness and assist them in achieving satisfying and productive community lives. With Centers in McLean and Mt. Vernon, and residential sites throughout Northern Virginia, PRS offers day programs, employment services, residential services and home-based support services. For more information about PRS, please visit their website at www.prsinc.org.

Oakton, VA (May 12, 2023)— PRS 3rd annual golf tournament hosted by The Alliance Group, CBRE, and Cassaday & Company on May 8th raised more than $83,000 to benefit the mental health nonprofit’s Outpatient Therapy Program. The event, held during Mental Health Awareness Month, brought in 32% more than last year when it raised $63,000.

“We are grateful to our generous–and fun—business community that understands the importance of mental health for our community. We appreciate the extraordinary efforts of Alliance, CBRE, and Cassaday & Co for helping connect us with these businesses. Their generosity and leadership are making it possible for more people to have access to our life-saving and life-changing programs,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS.  “Bringing local business leaders together encourages even more dialogue and movement to create a healthier community.”

More than 110 golfers participated in the tournament. Held at Westwood Golf Club in Vienna, the event featured 18 holes, a cocktail reception, and speakers, including two PRS clients, who shared their stories of recovery. As a nonprofit providing mental health, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to thousands across Virginia and beyond, PRS and its services are needed more than ever. This year’s funds are creating more capacity for PRS’ Outpatient Therapy Program, which provides individualized, person-centered therapy to adolescents ages 15 to 18, adults, and families to assist them with making changes to support growth and managing behavioral health conditions.

Along with Alliance, CBRE and Cassady & Company, over 30 organizations and individuals sponsored the event, including Rob Sturm, The Building People, FloQast, Blue Halo, Unanet, BlueHalo, West 4^th Strategy, McGriff Insurance, Cloudforce, The Avis Family, IntelliBridge, Chainbridge Technologies, NT Concepts, National Technology Integrators: NTI, The Riddle Family, Bart & Associates, Bognet Construction, Clark Construction, CAN, DPR, HITT, JBG, Millennium Corp, Paul McQuillan, PRS Board of Directors, Tarkett, The Meridian Group, UKG, Ridgeline International, Copper River, Semfin, Evans Consulting, Capital HR Advisors, SpeedPro Northern Virginia.

About PRS, Inc.

PRS is a leading nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 988. For 24/7 chat support, visit 988lifeline.org/chat.

OAKTON, VA (September 10, 2022) —PRS, a nonprofit that operates the crisis call center for most of Virginia—including Northern Virginia—and is a national back-up center and core chat center for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, is promoting its 8th annual #CallTextLive Campaign with activities throughout September’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. As a serious issue that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, more than 12 million people have serious thoughts of suicide each year and suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.

“One of the biggest ways each of us can help is to make sure our family and friends know there is a quick way to connect: 988, the new national suicide and crisis number to link people with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors.  By participating in #CallTextLive social media, activities and events, people can find simple ways help,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS.

The campaign provides information and activities that contribute to a suicide safer community by educating the public about improving mental wellness and talking openly about suicide and pain to help reduce the stigma and increase help seeking. It also educates family and friends about what services and supports are available to them—with special emphasis this year on educating the public about the new 988 number.

Throughout September, the public can make a difference by participating in PRS’s #CallTextLive campaign. Campaign elements include information designed to support populations at a higher risk for suicide; facts and data to increase understanding of suicide; resources about identifying when someone is in crisis; and invitations to PRS supported events. Social media is an important part of the campaign and is used to engage people in sharing stories and photos on PRS Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the #CallTextLive hashtag. By visiting PRS’ website at www.prsinc.org/calltextlive, people can discover how to participate in the #CallTextLive Campaign.

A call to a crisis hotline – 988, text to 988, or sending a chat via 988lifeline.org/chat can save a life. If someone in crisis reaches out, PRS trained crisis workers evaluate their call, help deescalate the crisis when possible, and work collaboratively with local resources to connect individuals to appropriate services. In addition to operating as a crisis call center, PRS provides an array of behavioral health services.  www.prsinc.org.

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Oakton, VA (May 16, 2022)—In its 2nd year, a golf tournament hosted by The Alliance Group, CBRE, and Cassaday & Company on May 9 raised more than $63,000 to benefit PRS, a leading behavioral health nonprofit serving Virginia and beyond. Rallying the business community, the Mental Health Awareness Month event brought in twice the amount as last year when it raised $26,000.

“Wow!  It was a great day, a great event, and a great showing from our business partners and friends at Alliance, CBRE, and Cassaday & Co. Their generosity will ensure that more people in our community have access to our life-saving and life-changing programs,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS.  “The event’s success illustrates how far we’ve come in removing stigmas around discussing mental health challenges in our families, businesses and communities.”

More than 100 golfers participated in the tournament. Held at Westwood Golf Club in Vienna, the event featured 18 holes, a cocktail reception, and speakers, including a PRS client, who shared his story of struggle and recovery. Alliance and CBRE started this last year and committed to making this an annual event that supports PRS. As a nonprofit providing mental health, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to thousands across Virginia and beyond, PRS and its services are needed more than ever during this period of uncertainty.

“We are so pleased that our business friends and colleagues embraced this tournament and PRS’ important work and that Cassady & Co. joined us this year as a title sponsor.  The more we can discuss mental health issues, the more likely we can help solve them,” explained Brian Meadows, Partner, The Alliance Group, PRS Board Member and event founder.

“We are excited by how well received this fundraiser for PRS has been and to be able to mark Mental Health Awareness Month in this way. The investment by our local business community is a testament to PRS’ great work in helping improve people’s lives,” added John DiCamillo, Senior Vice President, Advisory & Transaction Services, CBRE and event founder.

Along with Alliance, CBRE and Cassady & Company, over 30 organizations sponsored the event, including Cloudforce, Chainbridge Technologies, Sage Intacct, McGriff, IntelliBridge, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Capital HR Advisors, CTSI, Ridgeline International, Semfin, The Adams/Slivinski Families, Insperity, The Building People, Alpha Omega Integration, Excelicon, GEICO, HITT, HUNGRY, JBG, Longeviti, OTJ Architects, Paylocity, PRS Board of Directors, Six Half Dozen, Solerity, Stewart Leadership, Rob Sturm, Subtle Shifts, Virginia Lacrosse Club, and SpeedPro Northern Virginia.

About PRS, Inc.

PRS is a leading nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 988.  For 24/7 chat support, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.

OAKTON, Va. (April 13, 2022)— PRS was named for the 11th time to The NonProfit Times national list of 50 Best Places to Work, jumping up 11 spots in the rankings from last year.  PRS is a nonprofit that helps individuals who live with serious behavioral health issues or that are in crisis. According to NPT, 2022’s 50 Best distinguished themselves in the areas of culture and communication, compensation and benefits, and leadership.

“Employees our are super power and best investment. During a time in history that so many need our services, having quality, committed employees is essential to save and change lives,” said Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS. “We are proud to make The NonProfit Times’ list again and achieve such a higher position. Our focus on workplace culture is imperative to attract and retain a team dedicated to serving those suffering from mental health challenges.”

Up 11 places from last year, PRS was ranked 32^nd among all nonprofits surveyed and 13th among medium sized employers. PRS has over 200 employees that work at its Oakton headquarters and throughout the nation. PRS offers a work environment that fosters teamwork, professional growth, and work-life balance. It’s a culture where employees enjoy coming to work, are accountable and can excel in the services they provide.  The organization provides supported resources and training for continued learning and growth, a competitive industry-related salary, and an excellent benefits program.

Created in 2010 by The NonProfit Times—the leading national publication for nonprofit managers—and Best Companies Group, Inc., this nationwide survey and awards program honors the best employers in the nonprofit sector. The program was open to all nonprofits with a 501 (c)(3) status that have a facility with a minimum of 15 employees. The evaluation included a survey of each nominated organization’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. In addition, the evaluation included a much more heavily weighted anonymous employee survey to measure the employee experience.

Results were analyzed and categorized according to eight core focus areas: leadership and planning; corporate culture and communications; role satisfaction; work environment; relationship with supervisor; training, development, and resources; pay and benefits; and overall engagement. Organizations that made the list scored near 91% across all categories.

More about PRS

PRS is a leading nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 988.  For 24/7 chat support, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.

OAKTON, Va. (February 14, 2022)—PRS, a behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia, will now operate as the Regional Crisis Call Center for most of Virginia. Through its CrisisLink program, PRS has operated the mental health crisis hotline, textline and chat for Northern Virginia. The expansion is part of a state-wide transformation of crisis services to ensure a rapid response by those trained for these situations to increase the safety for community members facing behavioral health emergencies.

“To address the heightened demand for crisis services, the state and nation are consolidating and improving services through technology, training and increased collaboration. We are well positioned to adapt to the variety of upcoming changes while providing critical crisis services to more Virginians,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS. “Staffing our call center team is a top priority so that we can ensure trained crisis workers are always available to listen and connect those in need to available resources quickly and efficiently.”

Although PRS was already a provider of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) in Virginia, PRS will now answer crisis calls in four of the five of the state’s health planning regions —specifically Regions 1, 2, 4, and 5. (See attached map for region breakout.)  If someone in crisis reaches out, PRS trained crisis workers will evaluate their call, help deescalate the crisis when possible, and work collaboratively with Community Services Boards, private providers and 911 centers to connect individuals to appropriate services. This effort is an important integration of public and private resources to ensure those reaching out for help are receiving comprehensive crisis services regardless of where they live within the state.

The centralization of call centers and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is part of the state’s efforts to implement a complex system change to enhance the crisis system and add resources to serve those who need it most. In addition, the centralization addresses process enhancements related to the Marcus Alert—a statewide framework intended to improve the response to mental and behavioral health crises in Virginia, and the July 2022 adoption of the national 988 number, a new 3-digit phone number to connect people with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. PRS met the criteria to implement 988 as a call center since it is already part of the NSPL network.

PRS’ CrisisLink program extends beyond Virginia into the national network of highly qualified providers. CrisisLink is a National Back Up Center and Core Chat Center which answers overflow calls and chats from around the nation. PRS works collaboratively with the NSPL network to help address the unmet need as the demand continues to grow for mental health supports, especially in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

In an average month, PRS receives about 11-12,000 calls, 4,500 of those from Northern Virginia and the rest from all over the nation, and more than 3,000 chats and texts.  With the addition of most of Virginia, PRS expects call volume to grow significantly, particularly after the 988 number becomes operational. PRS’ CrisisLink call center operates with approximately 120 staff and 50-70 volunteers.

At the start of the pandemic, CrisisLink transitioned its team to a virtual workforce. Remote shifts are available around the clock, with the greatest need in the evening and overnight. Crisis workers receive more than 60 hours of extensive training and must be at least 21 years old. PRS has been recognized as a best place to work by the Washington Post and national The NonProfit Times. The nonprofit provides supported resources and training for continued learning and growth, a competitive industry-related salary, and an excellent benefits program.

About PRS, Inc.

PRS is a leading local nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 1-800-273-TALK.  For 24/7 chat support, visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.