Cortland County Mental Health Department

09/04/2025

09/03/2025

Back to School!

We hope everyone in the education community has a great first day back, and a safe and productive school year.

Please be mindful of the students commuting to and from school, and follow school zone speed limits.

09/02/2025

September is Su***de Prevention Month. This year’s theme is "Start the Conversation. Be the Difference."

One conversation can truly save a life. Let’s spread hope and remind each other that help is always available. Learn more at nami.org/suicideprevention

***dePreventionMonth

09/01/2025

Back To School

Happy Labor Day! Today's holiday marks the start of back to school week for the county and most of the state. Drive extra carefully this coming week and be alert for students, buses, crossing guards, and school zones; here are a few safety tips. I want to wish all students and teachers a safe and happy school year.
-Sheriff Mark E. Helms

08/30/2025

Over the past year, individuals from our Horizon House Day Treatment program spent time documenting their personal stories. Staff from this program took all the stories, partnered with a local author, and had them published. Although faced with adversity, these stories highlight their resilience and express gratitude for their journey. This week we were able to celebrate the publication and hear a few of the stories.

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us in this celebration, including Legislator Reed Cleland.

*Funding for the publication came out of monetary donations from staff that work at Cortland County Mental Health Department.

08/30/2025

This is professional psychiatric work permitting independent judgment. The Mental Health Practitioner provides clinical psychiatry in the team treatment of problems of affect...

08/29/2025

Welcome, Michael Ponticiello, to our community.

The Cortland County Legislature has officially appointed Michael Ponticiello as our new County Administrator, effective October 6, 2025!

Michael brings years of experience as a Deputy County Executive in Broome County, where he has led major initiatives in county operations, fiscal management, and community collaboration.

We look forward to his leadership as he oversees county operations, manages the budget, and works with the Legislature to keep Cortland County moving forward.

https://www.cortlandcountyny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19846/20250829_Ponticiello_Appointed_as_County_Administrator

08/28/2025

𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝟓 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

The City of Cortland Police Department, in partnership with community organizations, is offering a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬.

📅 When: September 15th – 19th | 8 AM – 4 PM
📍 Where: 131 Port Watson St, Cortland, NY 13045
💵 Cost: $150 (includes lunch & morning coffee)
📝 Register by: September 8th

✨ What you’ll gain:
✔️ Skills to reduce injuries
✔️ Tools to avoid unnecessary arrests & hospitalizations
✔️ Increased public safety
✔️ Training to better support individuals through community resources

➡️ To Register: Contact Lt. Ryan M. Riley at (607) 758-8301 or rriley@cortland.org

08/26/2025

The Cortland County Health Department wants to hear from YOU! Take a few minutes to share your thoughts on health and well-being in Cortland County. Your answers will help us create a plan to make Cortland County a healthier place for everyone.

The survey takes about 10 minutes and is open until September 15th. You can take it in English or Spanish by using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BXBSXF8 or by scanning the QR code.

Thank you for being part of the conversation. Let’s make a difference — together.

[ID: Blue themed graphic with a message to take the community health assessment survey, the image includes a QR code in and CCHD and Guthrie logos.]

08/18/2025

The Cortland County Mobility Management is inviting Cortland County residents for a free dinner and to also have a conversation regarding the new Cortland County Mobility & Accessibility Plan 2026-2029. The event will take place at the Cortland Elks Lodge, Tuesday, August 26th from 5pm to 7pm.

The Cortland County Mobility Management is inviting Cortland County residents for a free dinner and to also have a conversation regarding the new Cortland County Mobility & Accessibility Plan 2026-2029.[Read More...]

08/17/2025

Rural Health Institute and the Cortland County Mental Health Department are hosting a free Youth Mental Health First Aid training,

Join us for a full-day, evidence-based training that helps adults recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges in youth, respond with confidence, and connect young people to the right support.

In this interactive course, you’ll learn to:
✅ Identify common warning signs in adolescents
✅ Start supportive, nonjudgmental conversations
✅ De-escalate and ensure safety
✅ Connect youth to professional help and community resources

Who should attend: Adults who support youth—parents & caregivers, teachers, school staff, coaches, mentors, librarians, faith and youth-serving leaders. No prior experience required.

📅 Next session: September 23
📍 Port Watson Mini Conference Center
🔗 Register: tinyurl.com/mh-cortland

ID: A classroom scene in soft pastels: three adult learners sit at gray tables with notebooks while a facilitator gestures toward a screen showing simple orange human icons. A bold white speech-bubble frame reads “YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID.” White callouts say “What it is” and “Who’s it for,” with copy explaining it’s a full-day training to recognize, de-escalate, and connect adolescents in crisis to help. The lower half is charcoal gray with large white text directing people to register at tinyurl.com/mh-cortland. A white label at the bottom announces: “Next session is: September 23rd.”

08/17/2025

This report details the work that went into planning, opening, and operating the space; it gives an overview and analysis of the data we collected through operating the space; and it lays out recommendations for Cortland County's next steps as well as for other communities that want to learn from th