By Joseph Getch, CEO

HopeLink Behavioral Health, a mental health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia and beyond

Holidays bring joy as families come together to celebrate and the year ahead promises new opportunities and fresh starts. For some, the holidays aren’t as rosy and can be overwhelming. Holidays can cause stress and depression and a sense of isolation with the pressure of planning an event, financial burden, family conflicts, and grief associated with loss of loved ones.

In fact, nearly 90% of U.S. adults have concerns at the holiday season, according to a poll last year by the American Psychological Association. The same survey found that 41% of U.S. adults increases during the holidays compared to other times of the year and 43% said holiday stress interferes with enjoying the season. 

Stress is a reality for all of us, but it is even more exacerbated for those with mental illness. We see this frequently at HopeLink Behavioral Health, a nonprofit serving those with mental illness and facing life crises. During the holidays, our crisis hotline and textline receives more calls, chats and texts about increased anxiety and overwhelming life stress.

Experiencing “holiday blues” may pass with the season, but it’s important to recognize signs of depression, including:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Sleeping too much or too little, middle-of-the night or early morning waking
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
• Irritability or restlessness
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Feeling inappropriate guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness

If depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges make the holidays unbearable, then finding help is important.  Talk to your family physician or a mental health professional.  Another option is calling or texting 988—the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which is confidential and free of charge. If you call, text, or chat (https://chat.988lifeline.org), you will speak with a trained, empathetic professional who will:

• Listen and provide emotional support
• Assess for safety and risk of suicide
• Identify problem-solving skills
• Connect you to Mobile Crisis resources, if available
• Connect you live to other behavioral health resources
• Consult on how to support a loved one in crisis
• Schedule a follow-up call with you within 24 hours to see how you are doing

The holidays will come…and go.  Allowing yourself to grieve, setting realistic goals for the holidays, and taking time each day to care for and celebrate yourself are important ways to make the holidays less stressful.  Also know that there are resources that can help.

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 (November 1, 2022) —Mental health professional Laura Fonner was promoted to chief clinical officer at PRS, a leading behavioral health nonprofit serving Virginia and beyond. Fonner is taking over for Mary Brown, who retired after 35 years of exemplary service with PRS.

“Laura has been a major contributor in helping serve our clients and growing services. This well-deserved promotion will ensure that Mary Brown, who is retiring after several decades of outstanding leadership, and her contributions will be continued and expanded upon,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS. “We thank Mary for her commitment and welcome Laura to this new role.”

As chief clinical officer, Fonner will provide leadership, direction, and oversight for PRS’ clinical and rehabilitation programs that serve people in Northern Virginia living with serious mental illnesses, mild intellectual disabilities, substance use disorders,  and anyone who faces life crises.  Her work will help ensure the thousands of people served by PRS can increase their independence and self-sufficiency and lead fulfilling lives.

Prior to her promotion, Fonner served as PRS’ regional director of Community Support Services. She is a licensed professional counselor and Virginia Board approved clinical supervisor with over 25 years of experience working in the behavioral health industry.  Fonner joined PRS as a clinical supervisor in 2018 and was promoted regional director in 2019.  Under her leadership, PRS’ Community Support Services Program has expanded significantly and is recognized by key stakeholders as having the highest level of quality and reliability.

“I am excited to be moving into this new role and to work with our talented staff offering an array of quality services that change and save lives every day.  My vision for PRS’ programs is to continue to build on our collaborative, caring nature and to remain the ‘go to’ organization for so many in our expanding service area,” said Laura Fonner, chief clinical officer, PRS.

Prior to joining PRS, Fonner was executive director of Homeward Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado which operates outpatient substance abuse treatment, residential transitional living, and permanent supportive housing programming.  She also served as a therapist in several different clinical programs with the Prince William County Community Services Board before moving to Colorado.

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 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.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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