Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and help is available for people of any age with mental health concerns. It’s never too late to focus on wellness and reduce stress. The impact of mental health on physical health can be significant, and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) has many resources available to support everyone in living a healthy and fulfilling life. The CSB provides mental health services to the community, and help is available 24/7. Getting help or supporting a loved one who is struggling with mental health challenges can feel overwhelming. The warning signs are not always obvious, but you can learn how to recognize them and what to do if you observe them. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, some warning signs include, but are not limited to: Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy. Excessive worry or fear. Trouble concentrating or making basic decisions. Peculiar behavior or avoiding friends and social activities. Thoughts of self-harm. Negative self-talk. The CSB has free online training courses and tools for all residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax. They include: A Mental Health First Aid training course can help individuals understand mental illnesses, seek timely intervention and save lives. The course has a fee of $25, with limited stipends available. This program teaches participants how to help people who are experiencing a mental health concern, or potentially could be, and offers ways to: Assess for risk of suicide or harm. Listen nonjudgmentally. Give reassurance and information. Encourage appropriate professional help. Encourage self-help and other supports. Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) is a suicide prevention training explaining three simple yet powerful steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. The training teaches you to recognize the warning signs of suicide, ask tough questions and offer hope, and get help to save a life. Lock and Talk trainings can help prevent suicide by safely securing and storing firearms and poisons, including medications that can be misused. These steps are known as lethal means safety and can also help prevent accidental drug overdoses. The CSB has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Take a confidential online mental health screening. Completing an anonymous screenings can help you determine if your recent thoughts or behaviors may be associated with a common, treatable mental health issue. Practicing healthy self-care strategies can improve your mental health. Exercise. Even a small amount can make a big difference in your day. Connect with someone. Make a phone call or visit with a friend or family member. Start a cycle of encouragement. Tell others what you appreciate about them. Listen to music that inspires and motivates you. Write a poem about a subject you care deeply about or an article on a topic you find interesting. For more information on how Fairfax County is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, there is a Fairfax County Government NewsCenter article that highlights tips, events and resources. To Access CSB Services For CSB Non-Emergency Behavioral Health Services, call CSB Entry & Referral at 703-383-8500 TTY 771, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also walk-in at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For emergency mental health or substance use services, walk-in services are available 24/7 at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health or call 703-573-5679 TTY 711. If someone with a developmental disability is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, call REACH, a 24/7 regional crisis stabilization and crisis prevention service for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, at 855-897-8278. If you or someone you know is experiencing a substance use crisis, call the Fairfax Detoxification Center 24/7 at 703-502-7000, TTY 703-322-9080.

May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month by Mental Health America since 1949. The purpose is to highlight the importance of mental well-being, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. In a continued commitment to supporting mental health in our community, Supervisors Dalia Palchik and Rodney Lusk introduced a request to recognize May 2025 as both Mental Health Awareness Month and Youth Mental Health Awareness Month in Fairfax County. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the designation. To mark the occasion, Supervisor Palchik will visit the Youth Medication Assisted Treatment (YMAT) clinic on May 19, 2025.  During the visit, she will present the official proclamation recognizing the importance of mental health awareness and the county’s dedication to supporting youth and families. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) offers life-changing services to address mental health concerns at any age. With a growing demand for youth mental health support, the CSB’s services for children and adolescents are expanding rapidly to meet the community’s needs. Through its Youth and Family Services Team, the CSB provides evidence-based treatment to individuals ages 3 to 18 in need of behavioral health services. These specialized services include individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports to include medication assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services and more. Youth Medication Assisted Treatment Youth Medication-Assisted Treatment (YMAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders and prevent opioid overdose. These medications ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, supporting young people on their path to recovery. In response to the allocation of opioid settlement funds, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is building upon an already robust offering of services for youth and their families affected by opioid use. One immediate action taken by the CSB was to expand the current YMAT services being offered at the Sharon Bulova Center in Merrifield to extend to the Gerry Hyland Government Center in South County which will, together, serve 150 youth annually. Community-Based Behavioral Health Services The CSB’s Youth & Family Community-Based Services Team is reducing barriers to treatment by giving individuals the opportunity to access high-quality, affordable health care and supports in the communities in which they live. Community-based behavioral health services are now available for youth and families at three community centers: James Lee Community Center in Falls Church Hybla Valley Community Center in Alexandria Herndon Resource Center in Herndon The CSB’s Youth & Family Community-Based Services Team is reducing barriers to treatment by giving individuals the right to access high-quality, affordable health care and supports in the communities in which they live. To Access CSB Services To access any of the above-mentioned services, call 703-383-8500 (TTY 711). Multilingual staff are available at CSB locations, including at community-based sites and youth medication-assisted treatment clinics. Staff at the CSB Entry & Referral Call Center can take calls in English and Spanish, and language translation services for other languages are available by telephone when needed. For CSB Non-Emergency Behavioral Health Services, call CSB Entry & Referral at 703-383-8500 TTY 771, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also walk-in at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For emergency mental health or substance use services, walk-in services are available 24/7 at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health or call 703-573-5679 TTY 711. If someone with a developmental disability is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, call REACH, a 24/7 regional crisis stabilization and crisis prevention service for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, at 855-897-8278. If you or someone you know is experiencing a substance use crisis, call the Fairfax Detoxification Center 24/7 at 703-502-7000, TTY 703-322-9080.

Stress Awareness Month has been recognized and sponsored every April by the Health Resource Network since 1992. Originally setting out to decrease the amount of stress in the workplace, Stress Awareness Month now extends to supporting anyone interested in discovering ways to regulate emotions, strengthen relationships and much more. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) provides a comprehensive range of services to support individuals at any level of need, including those with developmental disabilities.  While the term “stress” is commonly used, its meaning and impact on overall well-being merit further exploration. By examining our relationships with stress, we can identify effective coping mechanisms that improve our daily lives and foster greater wellness. From our Executive Director The CSB’s vision is to ensure that everyone in our community receives the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life which includes understanding the impact of stress on emotional wellbeing. As the county’s agency responsible for providing and coordinating a system of community-based supports for individuals and families who are affected by developmental disability, mental illness and/or substance use challenges, Executive Director Daryl Washington recently highlighted how stress awareness can help minimize the impact of challenging circumstances. While stress can feel overwhelming, Washington noted a positive shift in how it’s addressed. “Over my 30-year tenure at the CSB, I’ve witnessed a positive shift in the conversation about stress. Culturally, there has been a significant increase in the number of public figures who are openly talking about the impact of stress and mental health issues. This empowers the general public to start questioning the role of stress in their life and to think about making positive changes.” Washington also noted how the way stress is approached has changed in clinical settings. “We’re seeing the emergence of more evidence-based recreational therapies that significantly enhance relationship building, further supporting the adaptation of healthy decision making which decreases stress.” Stress management plays a critical role in the successful care of mental health and substance use issues, and the CSB is committed to acknowledging this key relationship. Stress management plays a critical role in the successful care of mental health and substance use issues, and the Fairfax-Falls Church CSB is committed to acknowledging this key relationship. For those looking to take action to reduce stress, Washington encourages finding a personal support system and utilizing them. “Having people that I can trust who tell me what I need to hear rather than what I want to hear always helps me move through challenging situations.” Additionally, the CSB’s Wellness Health Promotion and Prevention Team offers several informative resources for community members to utilize. Specifically, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) training provides an in-depth look at the impact of early childhood events and explores how to build resilience to improve health and wellbeing across the lifespan. Additionally, the CSB is proud to support regional crisis response efforts. For urgent mental health related distress, concerned individuals may call the Regional Crisis Call Center at 703-527-4077. Also offering 24-hour behavioral health response is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Dialing or texting 9-8-8 will connect you to free behavioral health care and support. Chat (English only) is also available through the Lifeline’s website at: 988lifeline.org/chat. To Access CSB Services If someone with a developmental disability is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, call REACH, a 24/7 regional crisis stabilization and crisis prevention service for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, at 855-897-8278. For CSB Non-Emergency Behavioral Health Services, call CSB Entry & Referral at 703-383-8500 TTY 771, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also walk-in at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For emergency mental health or substance use services, walk-in services are available 24/7 at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health or call 703-573-5679 TTY 711. If you or someone you know is experiencing a substance use crisis, call the Fairfax Detoxification Center 24/7 at 703-502-7000, TTY 703-322-9080.

Over the course of my career, I've witnessed a shift towards greater openness about mental health, particularly how stress impacts people's daily lives. While stigma still exists, it's clear that we're making progress in breaking it down. This is crucial because mental health affects every aspect of our lives—how we interact with our families, loved ones, our work, and even the things we enjoy daily. - Daryl Washington, Executive Director, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board How have you seen the perception of stress and or mental health change over the past 30 years? Over the course of my career, I've witnessed a shift towards greater openness about mental health, particularly how stress impacts people's daily lives. It's inspiring to see so many public figures now sharing their struggles with mental health and the pressures they face every day. This has opened the door for others to share their experiences as well. While stigma still exists, it's clear that we're making progress in breaking it down. Addressing how we cope with stress and its effects on our mental health and overall well-being is becoming more common. This is crucial because mental health affects every aspect of our lives—how we interact with our families, loved ones, our work, and even the things we enjoy daily. Why do you enjoy working in this profession? I enjoy my work for several reasons, mainly the variety it offers. Early in my career, I worked in residential services, which gave me a unique perspective on clients. In residential settings, you witness aspects of clients' lives that you won’t see in other settings.  Things, like sharing meals and helping with daily tasks such as laundry. You get to see firsthand how they struggle and where they need the most support. I also appreciate the opportunity to connect with clients in different ways, such as counseling them and then engaging in activities like playing basketball. This strengthens the bond and makes the work more impactful. As an administrator, I enjoy the variety of supervising staff and offering insights into improving systems and operations. It’s fulfilling to guide staff on how to support their teams and foster a better organizational culture. Additionally, I engage in a range of tasks from attending group functions and discussing clinical services to program development, grant writing, and advocating for policy changes to improve services. Do you have any favorite ways to manage stress? Over the years, my approach to managing stress has evolved. In the past, I wasn't great at handling it. These days, I focus on walking, hiking, and working out at the gym to manage stress more effectively. I also find it helpful to meet regularly with my peers, other executive directors in region 2. It’s a space where we can share challenges and speak frankly, knowing we face similar challenges. In my role, I’m often the one providing support to others, so it’s important to have a support network of my own. Do you have any advice or suggestions for individuals who may have anxiety or depression to manage their stress as well? Find a healthy activity outside of work that you enjoy and create a support system you can rely on when needed. It's also important to have someone at work you trust—someone who can offer honest feedback, even if it’s not what you want to hear. My best mentors were often the toughest on me, and while I didn’t appreciate it at the time, looking back, I’m grateful. Their feedback helped me grow and make necessary changes. What can the CSB do to support someone who is overwhelmed and noticing the negative impact of stress? The county offers an Employee Assistance Program, which I strongly encourage everyone to try. It may not be for everyone, but it’s worth exploring. Additionally, we’re in the process of establishing a peer support group and policy, with volunteers already lined up. This will provide trained peers who understand the unique stressors of our work, which can be different from those faced by private therapists. It's also crucial to create a safe environment where people feel comfortable discussing concerns—whether related to the individuals they serve or the workplace itself. Encouraging open, respectful communication is key. People need to feel heard and supported, and the best way to achieve this is by actively listening to their feelings about difficult topics. If, as a community member, I'm noticing that my stress is negatively impacting my life, can I call the CSB? Calling the main CSB number is helpful when stress is high, and we also have a strong prevention team that provides valuable resources. For example, the ACES training helps people understand how past life experiences shape their current perceptions and interactions. Additionally, we can direct individuals to mental health education and resources for managing stress. I also recommend exploring stress management apps, which offer tools like meditation and mindfulness activities. These can be especially useful for those who prefer tech-based solutions for everyday stress management. What is the outcome or improvement that you've seen? The CSB has made a significant impact on individuals’ lives by offering a broad range of services, from prevention to intensive residential care. This variety allows us to serve a population that many other CSBs struggle to reach. We’re one of the few with detoxification and residential treatment programs, as well as intensive case management, jail diversion teams, and outpatient therapy. We also have a robust set of services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to meet people where they are—whether it’s mental health, substance use, or developmental challenges—and work with them to reach where they want to be. Our approach is all about listening and partnering to help individuals move forward. What is your favorite success story? It's hard to pick just one success story because of the variety of individuals we serve. Reflecting on my time managing the unhoused team, we helped someone who had been sleeping on the streets find long-term supportive housing. Initially, they struggled to adjust, sometimes returning to their campsite, but over time, they learned to feel comfortable in their new one-bedroom apartment, even grocery shopping and preparing meals for themselves instead of relying on fast food or begging. Similarly, helping someone transition from a state hospital to a community group home is another success. I also think about the closure of the Northern Virginia Training Center. Despite initial resistance, many of the individuals who once lived there are now thriving in the community, enjoying a level of freedom and integration they never had before. These are just a few examples of the successes we've had as an organization.