Lynn Bishop, Executive Vice President, receives the Ruth M. Batson “Advocate of the Year” award.

Lynn Bishop, Executive Vice President at the Edinburg Center, was honored at the 48th聽Annual Providers鈥� Council Convention and Expo which took place on Oct 2, 2023 at Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston. Lynn was one of 15 awardees this year. Read more .

Chelmsford鈥檚 Franklin Radgowski and Edinburg resident advocates for individuals with disabilities.

Franklin, a 41-year-old Chelmsford resident, who was born with cerebral palsy, watched as his friend, also a wheelchair user, struggled with accessing the St. Mary’s Church and had to be carried up the stairs. The issue posed a unique risk for disabled parishioners, so Radgowski decided to rise to the challenge and make his town more wheelchair-accessible. for his inspiring story. Or download the article: Action Unlimited _ Frankie’s story

Andrea Scullin, Family Partner at Edinburg Center, honored at Fenway Park.

On Tuesday night, July 25, 2023, Andrea Scullin who is the Lead Peer Specialist and Family Partner at 欧美日b大片 was recognized for her remarkable work with Lasagna Love, a charitable organization known for its dedication to cooking and delivering meals to families in need. Learn more .

Local Art Display (Faces Gallery) to showcase value of new Therapeutic Model.

欧美日b大片 is holding its 3rd Annual Art Show to support its innovative program, Meaningful Whole Life. This year’s event is titled, “Faces Gallery鈥�. The walk-through exhibition of each artist鈥檚 personal vision represents efforts to 鈥渉elp people with intellectual disabilities express their hopes and dreams through self-portraits.鈥� Visit to read more.

Tips to Stress-free Holidays for Teens with Autism/Anxiety.

The holidays are often stressful for everyone, albeit it is a wonderful time of the year. It can be particularly difficult for teens with a mental health challenge and or, a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Learn more about the tips to having a more enjoyable holiday .

Team approach brings hope to students experiencing psychosis on campus.
By Leigh Blander, Marblehead Reporter, WickedLocal.com

Like thousands of young adults across Massachusetts, Ryan started struggling with his mental health during the pandemic, suffering from a deepening depression that led to a psychotic episode and hospitalization.

鈥淚 experienced a severe state of disoriented thinking and then paranoia,鈥� said Ryan, who asked his full name not be used. He is a 21-year-old student at a Boston-area college. 鈥淚 would spend hours a day on the computer trying to self-diagnose, which would only lead to worsening thoughts and confusion. This built up until I was no longer able to talk with my family about how I was feeling. Communicating as a whole came to a standstill.鈥�

Young adults like Ryan have reported the highest rates of anxiety and depression throughout the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The crisis is being felt locally, too.

“We are seeing an uptick in students seeking support for mental health services,” said Dean of Students Marlin Nabors at Endicott College in Beverly. 鈥淲e saw intakes at our counseling area double at the start of September.”

The Discovery Team

At the hospital, Ryan鈥檚 family learned about 欧美日b大片 and its Discovery Team, which offers wrap-around mental health care for young adults, who are the ones most likely to experience an FEP, or First Episode of Psychosis.

Ryan has since been diagnosed with depression and bi-polar disorder. His team consists of a therapist, psychiatrist and a peer mentor who has personal experience with similar diagnoses. Another clinician works with Ryan鈥檚 parents to help them navigate their son鈥檚 challenges.

鈥淚t really is a team,鈥� said Ryan. 鈥淓verybody works together to keep everybody informed on what鈥檚 happening, especially in the initial stages when you鈥檙e the most vulnerable.

鈥淭hey just take the extra step to really care, even with your family,鈥� he added. 鈥淢ental illness doesn鈥檛 just affect the person who鈥檚 going through it. As much as it stinks to go through it, it touches everyone around you. The program is so accommodating and so helpful.鈥�

A program that brings hope

Elaine Farash runs the Discovery Team at the Edinburg Center, a Middlesex County human services agency. She says it鈥檚 making a real impact.

鈥淭hese young people are back at school or they鈥檙e working,鈥� Farash said. 鈥淭his program brings hope. They learn that their lives don鈥檛 have to stop.聽 If they miss a semester, they can go back with support.鈥�

Farash says the Discovery Team uses what鈥檚 called the Navigate model, which includes traditional therapy along with resiliency training and psychoeducation.

鈥淲e also have an educational/vocational specialist so if a person needs accommodations at college, we can help make that connection.鈥�

‘Miles ahead of where I was’

Nearly two years later after starting in the Edinburg program, Ryan is about to graduate from college and is feeling much better.

聽鈥淥ne hundred percent,鈥� he said. 鈥淓very day it鈥檚 another step in the right direction. I鈥檓 still actively working with the program. My symptoms are improving. I鈥檓 miles ahead of where I was a couple years ago. It鈥檚 been a huge improvement.鈥�

The Discovery Team is just one of several programs 欧美日b大片 offers to help the many young people now living with mental health challenges. To learn more, visit www.edinburgcenter.org.

The Discovery Team at 欧美日b大片 offers wrap-around mental health services to young adults experiencing First Episodes of Psychosis. Read more here and reach out to our team if you or someone you know needs help.