Kneeling are Blair Roethel, Randy Petell, Donald McCarthy, Ken Stull, Brian Sias, Jason Bouchard, and Tim Vinch. Standing are Chuck Langley, John Robinson, Chuck Irvine, Scott McCormick, Brian Kirby, Patrick LeClair, Mike Robinson, Joe Sovie, Chris Fay, Ray Larock, Ron Bouchard, Nelson Charleton, Jamie Ladouceur, Mike Farrell, Fred Badlam, Jarred Wells, and Terry Shaver.

OGDENSBURG – The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force recently received support from the Ogdensburg Fire Department IAFF union with a $290 purchase of the SLPC support t-shirts and an additional $85 donation to support fair access to mental health services in the North Country.

IAFF President Terry Shaver expressed his concerns, “For many in our community, it would not be possible to receive the services and professional care they need if the SLPC were closed, leaving numerous individuals unable to adequately transition as outpatients. The impact on service providers such as EMS, fire, police, and medical professionals, who are not adequately trained to deal with severe mental health issues, would be significant and not a productive use of these services.”

Any companies, organizations, institutions, groups or individuals who wish to show their support for the center can submit photos or stories, which will be highlighted each week. Send submissions to cbarrett@ogdensburg.org or mail/drop them off at City Hall, 330 Ford Street, Ogdensburg, NY, 13669, City Manager’s Office.

SLPC Task Force Chairman Chuck Kelly said, “We appreciate the ongoing support from the community. We are gaining more support and momentum in our fight to keep these top-notch services in the North Country. It is imperative that the people living in Northern New York have access to mental health services without the added burdens of being separated from their loved ones, the added costs and dangers of traveling especially during the harsh winters, and most importantly the decreased level of care that will result from not having immediate access to inpatient care and limited family involvement.”