Payne Whitney Clinic, New York-Presbyterian Hospital of NYC

Fountain House-ForLikeMinds Collaboration with Isa Salazar, Christmas Eve, 2019

Best Christmas Eve Ever!! OVER 60!!! patients. Chaya, a NY-P occupational therapist and I spent the entire day visiting every psychiatric patient at the hospital. It was so special to spend Christmas Eve at the Payne Whitney Clinic, New York-Presbyterian Hospital of NYC, the number 4 ranked psychiatric unit in the country, with their wonderful psychiatric patients and Chaya of NY-P. ForLikeMinds was thrilled to collaborate with Fountain House on this visit. Fountain House members wrote wonderful messages in the beautiful cards donated by IsaSalazar. I met with patients to share a little hope — from our community, and Fountain House. We were very fortunate to visit the psychiatric emergency room — which had very special meaning to me as I had 2 visits to that very same ER. We tried to offer a little bit of help to others in crisis, at their lowest point. We then visited the Extended Observation Bed unit of the emergency department, the adolescent program, the adult partial hospital program, and the inpatient unit. We met them on their gurneys, in the ER rooms, in the hallways, in their rooms, during their activities groups, for lunch — we went to meet them wherever they were. There was no escaping our infectious holiday cheer. I was moved and touch by each brave patient I met and by how warmly they received me. As expected, my candy canes and chocolates — while not quite on the healthy diet plan — were a huge hit everywhere I went! For the Jewish patients we distributed Hanukkah cards, sufganiyot, and siddrims. We distributed the wonderful, wonderful cards donated by Isa Salazar, Gloria, Cybill, and the Gathering Place, which very much touched the patients. It was a truly heartwarming experience. I was inspired by the bravery and courage of the patients we met. As many of us in our community know, hospitalizations can be the most difficult, challenging times for people living with mental illness. I am thrilled that our community was able to offer just a little bit of holiday cheer, comfort and support. Above all, we hope we helped the patients know that they are not alone and that they are in our thoughts and hearts — this is truly the meaning of the holidays. It is a gift to share goodwill, empathy, compassion and support for those who need our care and affection most. Thank you for helping us make this happen. A very deep heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our Psych Ward Greeting Cards. It has far exceeded my initial expectations and I hope to have your continuing support in the new year. Our program, messages of Fountain House, cards and messages of Cybill.

Thank You to Our Card Donor:

Isa Salazar

Thank you to the Fountain House members who wrote the messages in the cards.

Thank you also to Gloria & Cybill, The Gathering Place