Mental health and well-being were some of the main health challenges identified in Putnam during the most recent Community Health Assessment performed in 2022. And for good reason- one in five adults experience mental health symptoms each year in the United States according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. On average, treatment doesn’t start until 11 years after mental health symptoms begin. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to know the signs and that there is help available.

Common signs you may benefit from mental health support:

• Feeling excessively sad or low for more than 2 weeks
• Extreme mood swings
• Intense worry or fear that interferes with daily activities
• Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason
• Thinking about suicide
• Changes in eating habits, like lack of appetite or increased hunger
• Significant weight gain or loss
• Extreme risk taking
• Misuse of substances, including alcohol or drugs
• Drastic changes in behavior, personality, or sleep habits
• Extreme difficulty concentrating or sitting still

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone you know, help is available. Your primary care provider or health insurance can provide linkages to care. There are also places in Putnam County that offer services such as peer support and can connect you to other resources:

• NAMI Putnam County: 845-363-1478 or namiputnam.org
• Mental Health Association in Putnam County: 845-278-7600 or mhaputnam.org
• Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center: 845-628-9284 or pnwwrc.org
• Philipstown Hub: 845-809-5050 or philipstownhub.org
• The Prevention Council of Putnam: 845-225-4646 or preventioncouncilputnam.org
• Guardian Revival Peer Support for Military, Veterans, Reserves, National Guard, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents: 845-745-0088 or www.guardianrevival.org

Diagnosis and treatment services are also available in the county:

• CoveCare Center: 845-2225-2700 or covecarecenter.org
• LifeStance (formerly Carmel Psychological Associates): 845-279-5908
• Putnam Community Services of Rockland Psychiatric Center: 845-278-2500
• Nuvance Behavioral Health (formerly Stoneleigh Psychological Associates): 845-278-5582
• Open Door Family Medical Centers: 914-OD-CARES 
• Arms Acres Recovery: 888-227-4641
• St. Christopher’s Inn Residential Services: 845-335-1000

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is just a phone call or text away:

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (24/7, call or text)
• Veterans' Crisis Line - Confidential Help to Veterans and their Families: 988 press 1 or Text 838255
• Putnam County Crisis Intervention Hotline: 845-225-1222 (24/7, call or text)
• The Crisis Textline: Text HOME to 741 741 or chat via website: www.crisistextline.org