CN Guidance Acquires Space to Help More People with Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges

LongIsland.com

CN Guidance & Counseling Services has opened a new 21,000-square foot facility in Plainview, Nassau County, expanding the nonprofit’s and region’s capacity to serve individuals facing substance use and mental health disorders.

Print Email

Ribbon-cutting ceremony May 18th at new CN Guidance facility in Plainview.

Hicksville, NY - May 17, 2016 - CN Guidance & Counseling Services has opened a new 21,000-square foot facility in Plainview, Nassau County, expanding the nonprofit’s and region’s capacity to serve individuals facing substance use and mental health disorders, during an era of escalating demand and high need.

The milestone occurs during National Mental Health Awareness Month, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, May 18th, 5 o’clock PM, at 55 West Ames Court, Suite 100, in Plainview, NY.

Dozens of staff and community members will be on-hand celebrating the long-awaited capacity expansion of CN Guidance services.

At a time when local addiction and national suicide rates are near all-time highs, the newly acquired space, nearly mirroring the size of CN Guidance’s existing main facility in Hicksville, will house more than 70 staff serving local residents via several expanding CN Guidance programs.

For instance, the space will house CN Guidance’s Project FORWARD, a federally funded set of services focused on helping clients repair and maintain personal relationships as part of their recovery. It will also house the agency’s Personalized Recovery-Oriented Services (PROS) program, serving people with mental illness through structured outpatient services; and the nonprofit’s Health Home Care Management program, which proactively coordinates multiple types of needed care and services for hundreds of clients and families annually.

“This new facility represents our continuing commitment to people recovering in the community and living a productive, independent life, with community-based supports,” said CEO Jeffrey Friedman of CN Guidance.

“On May 18th we will proudly celebrate the work that CN Guidance does in the community for the residents among us who are the most vulnerable and who don’t have a voice. This ceremonial ribbon cutting will recognize the marked progress Long Island has made in the years since an earlier era of large-scale institutionalization of people facing behavioral health challenges.”

CN Guidance has issued an open invitation to the public to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 18th at 5PM.  Contact Alex Sauer with questions or RSVP at 516-822-6111 x1225 or via email by May 11th. Light refreshments will be served.

CN Guidance is one of the few community organizations on Long Island licensed by both the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment Services (OASAS). The nonprofit is known for its decades of expertise in serving people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

About Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services
CN Guidance & Counseling Services is a nonprofit organization launched in 1972 that provides clinical treatment, rehabilitation, housing opportunities, social and support services, counseling, and guidance to individuals, families and the community affected by mental illness, developmental disabilities, psychological difficulties, addiction, and/or dependency problems. CN Guidance delivers its services to Long Island residents via 300+ staff, joined by student interns and volunteers. In addition to providing substance use treatment, mental health treatment, and case management services, CN Guidance offers clients a "Drop In" center for services and operates social enterprises including the Starry Night Café-which serve and support the organization's mission and the growth and thriving of CN Guidance's clients.

About National Mental Health Awareness Month
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) indicates: During the month of May, NAMI and participants across the country are bringing awareness to mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care. Each year, the movement grows stronger.

We believe that these issues are important to address all year round, but highlighting these issues during May provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of all Americans whose lives are affected by mental health conditions.

Mental Health America indicates:
Since 1949, Mental Health America and our affiliates across the country have led the observance of May is Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings. We welcome other organizations to join us in spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about…

National Mental Health Month raises awareness about mental illness and related issues in the United States. In recent times, attitudes towards mental health issues appear to be changing. Negative attitudes and stigma associated with mental health have reduced and there has been growing acceptance towards mental health issues and support for people with them.