FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com THE COURIER SUN • DECEMBER 22, 2016 11 NYC’s first lady unveils new program for seniors’ mental health BY ANNA SPIVAK aspivak@qns.com “Thrive,” “well” and “health” are three key words you might start seeing more of when it comes to the mental health of New York’s senior population, thanks to a number of new initiatives implemented by the city’s first lady Chirlane McCray in conjunction with Deputy Mayor Richard Buery and Department for the Aging Commissioner Donna Corrado. Unveiling a new package of mental health services, to be offered at 15 senior centers this year and at an additional 10 next year, McCray spent the day in her home borough on Dec. 7 visiting Brooklyn’s Council Center for Senior Citizens, talking about ThriveNYC’s new Geriatric Mental Health Initiative and sitting down for an exclusive interview with our co-publisher, Victoria Schneps. “Seniors are so often overlooked, especially in this country,” McCray told Schneps. “They’re not given the respect and honor and dignity that they deserve, and because of that, other things are being overlooked — namely health and wellness in every sense of the word.” According to the mayor’s office, estimates suggest that, nationally, 20 to 22 percent of older adults meet the criteria for a mental disorder. Within New York state specifically, the number is expected to increase by 56 percent, from 495,000 persons in 2000 to 772,000 by 2030, as the number of older adults in the general population increases. By stationing clinicians on site at local senior centers, ThriveNYC’s Geriatric Mental Health Initiative will allow for more accessible treatment. These mental health clinicians will also actively engage seniors in fun activities that help raise awareness about mental well-being and help to de-stigmatize mental health treatment. “The further away older adults need to go to obtain mental health services, the less likely they are to follow through and use services,” Corrado noted. “Our Geriatric Mental Health Initiative follows this model by embedding mental health professionals in our centers.” Along with the on-site clinicians, stimulating activities and education on mental health, the Department for the Aging, through ThriveNYC, will also launch friendly visiting to homebound seniors to help prevent social New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray participating in a game to help build confidence in seniors, part of a mental health initiative for the city’s older population launched on Wednesday, Dec. 7. isolation, which increases the risk of chronic health conditions, depression, anxiety and other serious health issues, according to the mayor’s office. Another important takeaway from the day’s launch of the program, is the development of NYC WELL, a new 24/7 talk, text and chat hotline for anyone coping with stress, depression, texting “WELL” to 65173, calling the hotline at 888-NYC-WELL or chatting online at www.nycwell. cityofnewyork.us/en/. Celebrate With Us! Complete Checking Plus 1.00% 0.51% APY1 For the first 90 days On balances of $5,000 or more anxiety or drug and alcohol misuse. The free and confidential hotline can be reached by Join the Grand Opening celebration of our new Flushing Bank location at 61-14 Springfield Boulevard. As part of the celebration, you will earn a special interest rate of 1.00%1 for the first 90 days when you open a new Complete Checking Plus account at any of our 1 a new Complete Checking Plus account at any of our branches.1 Plus when you open a new Flushing Bank Complete Checking Plus account you can get up to $200.2 Hurry, this is a limited time offer. Call or stop by a branch today! For more information visit your local Flushing Bank branch, go to www.FlushingBank.com, or call 800.581.2889. Small enough to know you. Large enough to help you. 1. New Complete Checking Plus account with new money only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. This offer is limited to one Complete Checking Plus account per household. The APY is effective October 17, 2016. The APY for Complete Checking Plus is 0.15% for daily account balances between $0 to $4,999. The blended annual percentage yield (APY) for Complete Checking Plus is 0.51% for daily account balances between $5,000 to $49,999 and 0.59% for daily account balances of $50,000 or greater. The guaranteed rate of 1.00% will remain in effect for 90 days after account opening. At the end of this 90 day period the annual percentage yield will revert to 0.35% for daily account balances between $5,000 to $49,999 and 0.45% for daily account balances of $50,000 or greater. Rates may change at any time without notice. You must maintain a daily balance of $5,000 for the statement cycle to receive the disclosed yield. If your daily account balance is less than $5,000 the interest rate paid on the entire balance in your account will be 0.15% APY. You must deposit a minimum of $100 to open the Complete Checking Plus account. A minimum balance of $5,000 is required to avoid a monthly maintenance fee. Fees may reduce the earnings on the account. The rate and offer are subject to change and early termination without prior notice at any time. 2. New Complete Checking or Complete Checking Plus account with new money only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. This offer is limited to one Complete Checking or Complete Checking Plus account per household. Minimum deposit required to open a new Complete Checking account is $25 and a new Complete Checking Plus account is $100. No minimum balance required to be eligible for the Bonus. Direct Deposit – You will receive $100 for signing up for and receiving a recurring direct deposit of $250 or more. Tax refund checks do not qualify as direct deposit. Direct Deposits must be completed prior to 90 days after the account is opened. Debit Card Purchases – You will receive $50 for the completion of 5 debit card purchases. Each debit card purchase must be $25 or more. Online Banking Bill-payments – You will receive $50 for completing 5 online banking bill-payments via Flushing Bank’s Online Banking portal. Each online bill-pay must be $25 or more. Debit Card Purchases and Online Bill-payments must be completed prior to 60 days after the account is opened. THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ANY CUSTOMER CAN RECEIVE IS $200. The compensation will be credited to the checking account on or about the end of the month following the completion of the above qualifying transactions within the required time after account opening. A 1099 will be issued in the amount credited to your account. Other fees and restrictions may apply. All offers are subject to change and termination without prior notice at any time. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
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