Erie County Project LAUNCH

10/07/2026

MYTH: A short questionnaire is too simple to say much about how someone is really doing.

FACT: Screening tools are built on real research, designed to reliably capture what’s going on with just a few short questions.

The ASQ is one example: a developmental screener for children filled out by parents and caregivers. It’s been tested on a large, diverse group of families across the country, and shown reliable at identifying typical development apart from possible delays. Adult mental health screening tools are held to the same standard.

Real research backs the tools built in to check in on us, at every age, and that’s worth trusting.

10/05/2026

This month is about looking beyond the surface, and sometimes that starts with showing up.

The North East School District is hosting a community Mental Health Fair, open to everyone in the area. Explore mental health and wellness resources from across Erie County, connect with local agencies, and hear from guest speakers. Interactive activities, appetizers, and prizes are included.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026
5:00 p.m.
North East Middle School, 1903 Freeport Road

Come be a part of normalizing honest conversations about how we’re really doing.

10/02/2026

This October, we’re looking past the surface.

It’s easy to judge a moment, a mood, or even ourselves by how things look on the outside. But what’s happening underneath may often be a different story.

This month, we’re talking about honest check-ins, what’s really going on beneath the surface, and how screening tools can help us understand ourselves (and the kids in our lives) a little bit better.

Let’s look beyond the wrapper.

09/29/2026

Talking to the people closest to us isn’t always easy.

We may worry about upsetting them, being judged, or changing how they see us. Sometimes, those worries make it harder to say what we're really thinking or feeling.

That’s where a support group can help. Talking with people outside our everyday lives can create space to be more open—and connect with others who may understand because they’ve been there, too.

🔗 SAMHSA shares ways to find a support group or local program that fits your needs.

In addition to health care professionals, there are many community programs that offer help.Find a support groupTalking with people dealing with similar issues can help a lot. Since they’ve “been there” and are doing the work to heal and recover, they can be a great support system.There are na...

09/28/2026

Whether it’s our mental health, concerns about substance use, or grief, it can sometimes feel like we’re the only ones struggling.

Hearing someone else talk openly about what they’ve been through can remind us that we’re not.

Emma’s Footprints supports families after pregnancy and infant loss through emotional support, financial assistance, counseling resources, and opportunities for connection.

Their podcasts bring that same spirit of connection to shared stories about grief, healing, and life after loss.

Sometimes, hearing someone else put words to a difficult experience can make it a little easier to talk about our own.

🎧 Explore the podcasts from Emma’s Footprints here:

Two Podcasts, Same Mission. You Are Not Alone In Your Grief.Connect with a story that you can relate to. Breaking the Stigma, Together. Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death affects more families than you may realize. Tracy and Julie (two grieving mothers) are here to help educate, support and b...

09/22/2026

Conversations about mental health can start out small. Sometimes, they start with just being honest about how you’re doing.

This week, when someone asks "How are you?" try answering honestly.

Naming how you’re doing is its own small act of care, and it’s often where real support begins.

09/19/2026

Today is a good day to PLAY! Come join us. We’re at Little Explorers Christian Academy until noon.

09/16/2026

Asking for help can feel uncomfortable, even when you know you need it.

Sometimes we stay quiet because we don’t know what to say, who to ask, or where to start.

But you don’t have to have the perfect words. Reaching out can start with one honest conversation.

This resource from SAMHSA shares practical ways to ask for help, choose someone you trust, and start the conversation when you need support.

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

🔗 Learn how to start asking for help:

If you’re having trouble with mental health, drugs, or alcohol, it can help to talk about it with someone you trust. They can give you support, ease your burden, and help you find a path to feeling better. As you think about who to talk to—and what you might say—it’s normal to feel a lot of ...

09/13/2026

Not sure what to say to someone who’s struggling? You don’t need the perfect words, just a question.

A few questions can open the door:
- “How are you feeling?”
- “How can I help?”
- “Is there anything you want to talk about?”

Asking shows you care. It also gives them a chance to talk, sometimes for the first time in a while.

What would you want someone to ask you?

09/12/2026

MYTH: If a friendship doesn’t feel close right away, it’s not going to work out.

FACT: Close friendships take real time to build.

Some research suggests it can take more than 200 hours (even up to 340 hours) of time together to grow a close friendship.

That means closeness isn’t instant. Connection grows through repeated, everyday moments. Showing up again and again, even when it feels small.

Every one of those moments is really the same thing: a conversation that connects you a little more.

Give new friendships time. Keep showing up and let connection and closeness grow.