ADVOCACY
I have over 20 years of advocacy experience working with students, youth, and adults with mental and physical health challenges, as well as those who have endured domestic violence, and trauma, including veterans. I have facilitated workshops and built conferences for survivors of trauma and spoken at local and state levels as a lead advocate for the Western Region of New York State. In my travels, I have advocated for mental health legislation for children, adults and veterans and shared my story about hope, recovery, and resilience.
I may not be Dr. Max Goodwin, but I will always be asking the question, “How Can I Help?” Max Goodwin is a character from NBC’s “New Amsterdam” Series. Based on the book “Twelve-Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital” By Dr. Eric Manheimer
I speak from my heart on matters and topics that I am qualified to, from personal and professional experience. I chuckle a little when I think of how much resistance Max has gotten for his radical approaches, but like him, I keep going. I am not everyone’s cup of tea because I can be more forthcoming than some people are often prepared for. It is a byproduct of healing and discovering who I am after many years of tolerating lies, half-truths, and the placating that agencies and organizations tend to fall back on when their clients are not getting their needs met and services are not delivered as promised. I've taken this on the online coaching industry too.
I have a commitment to rest, self-care, and personal development in order to put my best foot forward. I am not focused on putting profit first. I do not equate my worthiness and expertise to a dollar sign. I look forward to people to collaborate with me on restorative changes, advocacy, and solutions that will be meaningful for all who have been waiting their turn to be seen, heard, and helped.
PAST EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES
Here is a slide show of some of the past events and speaking opportunities I planned, spoke at, and attended in collaboration with various Mental Health Organizations.
The photos highlighted on this website, including those that will be highlighted in this space were taken on along my many travels for my advocacy work, training, and professional development.
Please do not copy them off of my site.
ADVOCACY PROJECTS
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Each year, the Mental Health Association of New York State hosts "Mental Health Matters Day" discussing mental health issues in education and inviting youth + schools to attend to get advocacy exposure and witness important conversations that impact their growth and minds.
MHANYS and the Mental Health Association (MHA) network of community‐based providers work to answer the mental health needs and challenges that are present in their communities.
The MHA network in New York addresses pressing needs in local communities, provides pathways to recovery for individuals, and builds better understanding of mental health through literacy and stigma reduction efforts for the benefit of all.
"With the understanding that schools are microcosms of the communities we serve, school communities are an important area of focus for MHANYS." - taken from the 'BRIEFING BOOK 2020'
Are you a part of the school community and want to engage students in the legislative process? Students can have a huge impact on making change while at same time, gaining real-world experience with advocacy.
I am a supporter of MHANYS 'Mental Health Matters' Day.
I encourage people to learn how to advocate, as well as the ins and outs of why legislative work is so important.
PAST PROJECTS AND LEGISLATIVE WORK
OPERATION DIGNITY
A national movement to restore old abandoned Psychiatric Hospital Cemeteries across the country, many of which were no more than Potter’s Fields, where patients were buried unceremoniously in unmarked or numbered graves; sometimes the numbers were reused. This site at the former location of Gowanda Correctional Facility where I volunteered my time was formerly home to the Gowanda Psychiatric Center which opened as a “homeopathic hospital” in 1898 at its peak had 3,710 patients.
Today, the Operation Dignity movement allows us to attend to dilapidated, forgotten, and overgrown plots, and restore dignity to those who have passed on. Many people lived out their lives in such facilities during a time when the rights of the mentally ill were not taken into consideration.
This is such a rewarding project to be a part of. The experience of working on the grounds is one I can hardly put into words. In some cases, I have been able to assist family members in locating their relatives. My time at the site is filled with introspection, stillness, and awe.
The Western Region part of this project was placed on hold over the last few years as the NYS Office of Mental Health has worked to navigate how to address the challenges of safety during a pandemic. I will update this section when I have more information to offer on how to participate + donate.
Without having support on site after the Gowanda Correctional Facility shut down at the end of March 2021 per the Governor's order, my heart aches to think of the conditions that this site may be in because a good portion of it already battled erosion and water from the river, even with proper care. So many years of work and heart have been put in to get the site into good shape and restore dignity to those who rest there.
My hope is that as discussed with the project liaison Tom O'Clair, work can resume, and if it does, it will be a task that will require many dedicated volunteers as the restoration begins again.
LEAD ADVOCATE
My Legislative Advocacy efforts have covered a variety of mental health legislation initiatives, including but not limited to the following:
Mental Health In Schools; A.1911(Nolan)
Veterans and Military Families;
S.1778 (Carlucci), A3025 (Ortiz-MS), S909 (Parker)
Extension and expansion of PFC Joseph Dwyer Program
Resiliency and Recovery Initiative for Veterans and Military Families
MHA/NYC Network of Care Project; Web-based Clearinghouse for Vets and Families
INTERVIEW WITH MIKE DORR (NYAPRS COLLECTIVE)
FOR THE NYS OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OMH News Interview 2015. Other stories have been omitted to protect the privacy rights of other interviewees.
JENNIFER ANN
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* Jennifer is not a doctor, medical professional, healthcare provider, therapist, counselor, or lawyer. While she does talk about conscientious, ethical service provision and stewardship, you are ultimately in charge of and responsible for the decisions and investments that you choose or do not choose to make for yourself, your business and and/or your clients. Seeing clients without protocols for prevention, legal issues, and a clinical referral process is at your own risk. Jennifer's consulting and coaching services are not a substitute for legal advice, including when matters of ethics and compliant marketing are being discussed. None of her services nor the support she provides are a substitute for when you need to find a lawyer, therapist, or a qualified professional. Jennifer does not assume your risk. Approaching or messaging Jennifer with questions or in the name of getting support does not constitute or create a service agreement. Nothing Jennifer shares through any medium are to be used as a substitute for medical care, counseling, psychotherapy, nor are to be regarded as legal, or financial advice. Jennifer does not focus on income generating activities. Jennifer does not teach you how to make more money. As a matter of ethics, she must be upfront that current pricing trends in the majority of the market are a conflict of interest based on her mission, and priorities. By filling out any forms or submitting information through forms, email links, or a chat app on this site, please be aware that you are consenting to the form builder and chat app collecting and processing the information you provided and are indicating that Jennifer Ann Falandys can send you a follow-up message or email. Please see her Service Disclaimer and Privacy Policy for full disclosures.
🌿 Designed January 2025
Jennifer Ann Falandys
Olean, New York, 14760