From The Director's Desk - October 2026

Dear Friends,

Fall is officially here, bringing a welcome break from the summer heat—and a chance to catch our breath after the busy, often heavy work of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We’re incredibly grateful to all of the organizations who invited us into their spaces to lead QPR classes, speak about mental health, and share resources. There’s something especially meaningful about being face-to-face with our community partners and seeing the many ways we’re all working to lift up our neighbors.

So, before we rush headlong into the busy months ahead, we want to pause and celebrate some of the good things happening in our community—and even right here in our own office. There’s plenty worth celebrating, and we’re glad to share some of it with you.

There is some especially good news to celebrate in the 988 world: the specialized Press 3 option for LGBTQ+ youth has been restored after more than a year of advocacy from LGBTQ+ advocates, suicide prevention organizations, mental health professionals, and bipartisan members of Congress. The service returned September 30, marking an important victory for advocates who refused to let specialized, affirming crisis support disappear. Senator Tammy Baldwin, who helped create the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and led the effort to restore Press 3, said, “This lifesaving resource never should have gone away in the first place, but I am glad the lifesaving support Press 3 provides is once again there for people who need it.” At MHAGC, we know that feeling heard, respected, and understood can make all the difference when someone reaches out in a moment of crisis. Our Upstate 988 call center will always strive to provide the very best care to callers from the LGBTQ+ community and beyond—with compassion, respect, and without judgment.

Alongside this encouraging news from our 988 partners, we’re also celebrating the wonderful work happening right here at home. Our Reassurance Line workers provide something incredibly valuable: a listening ear, peer connection, and the reassurance that no one has to navigate a difficult moment alone. This month, one of our workers reflects on 12 years on the line and the personal journey that first brought them to MHAGC. We’re proud to share their story—and the heart behind this important service. Click here to read her words.

Our commitment to wellbeing doesn’t stop at the work we do in the community—it starts with taking care of the people who do that work. Over the past year, we’ve been making some changes around the office to create a healthier, more comfortable workplace for our staff. We’ve refreshed our breakroom into a more welcoming place to relax, with books and games for those who want a little distraction or simply a quiet place to take a few moments of peace. We’ve also added treadmills and a healthy snack vending machine to encourage movement and better choices throughout the workday. And sometimes wellbeing is simply about making room for a little creativity and connection: recently, staff gathered to celebrate National Poetry Day by sharing their own work or favorite poems for everyone to enjoy. It was a lovely reminder that taking care of ourselves can look like many different things—and sometimes, it looks a lot like sharing a good poem with your coworkers.

Lastly, we are celebrating the generosity and initiative of a local Girl Scout who chose to make a difference right here in our supportive housing program. Kaylee, a member of Girl Scout Troop 1605, recently earned her Silver Award by taking on a project to refresh shared spaces at one of our housing facilities. She and her team gave the office, bathroom, laundry room, and lobby new life with fresh flooring, paint, and thoughtful decorations, creating spaces that are more comfortable and welcoming for the residents who use them every day. We’re grateful to Kaylee for seeing an opportunity to help, rolling up her sleeves, and turning her Silver Award project into something that will benefit our residents long after the project was complete. It’s a wonderful example of how a little creativity, hard work, and community spirit can make a meaningful difference.

As we move into the final months of the year, we’re carrying with us a lot to be grateful for—from partners who continue to show up for our community, to staff who bring compassion and dedication to their work every day, to community members like Kaylee who remind us that everyone has something to contribute. And, of course, we’re looking forward to bringing our community together for our upcoming pickleball tournament! Events like this are about more than a day on the court—they’re opportunities to connect, have a little fun, and support the work that helps people across our community find hope and connection. We hope you will join us for some fun; click the link below to sign up. Thank you for being part of the work with us. Together, we’re building a community where people feel supported, connected, and reminded that they matter.

With Gratitude,