Mental health program gets boost from United Way Northumberland

Left-to-right: Jennifer Celsie, program and administrative assistant with United Way Northumberland, Northumberland OPP Detachment Commander and Insp. Mike Cavanagh and M-HEART crisis nurse Melissa Atkins celebrate a recent donation of grocery store gifts to help residents. /OPP photo

By West Northumberland Independent staff

Northumberland OPP says it will be able to further support people in need when responding to mental health and community wellness-related calls thanks to a recent donation of grocery store gift cards.

United Way Northumberland has donated $800 in grocery store gift cards to support the Mental Health Engagement And Response Team (M-HEART) program. M-HEART members will distribute the gift cards to individuals and families experiencing hardship throughout Northumberland County, said OPP, in a recent release.

M-HEART is described as a collaborative initiative that brings together police and health-care professionals to provide support, resources and connections to community services for individuals facing mental health challenges and/or experiencing other vulnerable circumstances.

“Partnerships like this make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve,” said Insp. Mike Cavanagh, who also serves as detachment commander of Northumberland OPP. “The generosity shown by United Way Northumberland provides our M-HEART program with another way to assist individuals facing difficult circumstances while helping connect them with the longer-term supports they may need.”