New County Mental Hygiene Director Focuses on Field Training

Training people to do the field work in mental health and social work has been a big focus of the still-new Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene Services. Carmelo Hernandez was hired in September 2021 to replace the retired Patricia Brinkman. Hernandez says since he has been here, they have worked with and trained about 200 people who are in the field...

Carmelo Hernandez: building relationships

Hernandez says training is specialized, and they work with their close community partner, Chautauqua Tapestry, to do the outreach work...

Carmelo Hernandez: working with Chautauqua Tapestry

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Hernandez wants people to know there is help available for those who seek it. Depression is among the most common, and another problem area that has been accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic is anxiety disorders. The county currently has mental hygiene clinics in Dunkirk, Jamestown and Mayville.

Image by the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene