Episode 8

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Published on:

12th Aug 2020

Melissa Heatly – Integrating Behavioral Health and the Schools in the Midst of the Pandemic

Melissa Heatly is a clinical child psychologist. She coordinates the school-based initiatives with pediatric behavioral health and wellness at UR Medicine, which provides comprehensive school-based behavioral health services, consultation, and training to youth and educators across the greater Rochester region. 

In this episode, we explore the efforts of Melissa Heatly, a true community organizer. Melissa works tirelessly together with multitudes of people in the community to make sure that services remain accessible at the level that they were before the pandemic and how they can be improved.  

What You'll Learn

  • The implementation of programs to support youth behavioral health needs during the pandemic.
  • Self-care tips to improve your wellbeing during the pandemic.
  • And much more!

Favorite Quote

“At the end of the day family gets to be the priority. And so if that means I need to say no to something at work, to make sure that we have that balance in our family, then we do that. But it's very difficult. And especially given the urgency in our community right now.” - Melissa Heatly

For More Information: 

University of Rochester Medical Center

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About the Podcast

The Optimistic Advocate
Making a difference in advocating for better mental health services for children and families
Hello, and welcome to the Optimistic Advocate! The Podcast that brings you just a bit closer to recognizing your full potential as an advocate for change – yours, mine, and everyone's! I’m your host, Scott, Bryant-Comstock, and I’m CEO and founder of the Children’s Mental Health Network. For the past 40 years, my journey as a mental health advocate has traveled from volunteering at a suicide and crisis center, professional roles as a therapist in an outpatient clinic, in-home family therapist, state mental health official, Board Chair for a county mental health program, and national reviewer of children’s mental health systems reform efforts. As the founder of the Children’s Mental Health Network (2009), I lead the Network’s efforts to grow a national online forum for the exchange of ideas on how to continually improve children’s mental health research, policy, and practice.

This podcast features conversations with inspiring advocates who help individuals and families make positive changes in their lives and communities across the globe. The episodes typically run from 45 – 60 minutes in length, so give yourself some room to breathe and get inspired when you listen to these. Who knows this could be the gamechanger that will unleash the advocate in you. You won’t regret it!

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About your host

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Scott Bryant-Comstock

For the past 40 years, my journey as a mental health advocate has spanned working at a suicide and crisis center, as a therapist in an outpatient clinic, an in-home family therapist, a state mental health official, Board Chair for a county mental health program, and a national reviewer of children's mental health systems reform efforts. As the founder of the Children's Mental Health Network (2009), I lead the Network's efforts to grow a national online forum for the exchange of ideas on how to continually improve children's mental health research, policy, and practice. Through it all, I remain optimistic that the voice of advocates can, and will, be heard. We need strong advocates now, more than ever!

If you're like most of my listeners, you're committed to making significant contributions to your work and seeing sustainable change. But it's not easy–you know it, and I know it. Let's face it - it's downright hard! My passion is helping to shape policy and practice in children's mental health, and my mission is to introduce you to innovative efforts taking place across the nation that are making a difference in the lives of children and families.