Kristen Fisher named the new Director of Community Mental Health Services in Livingston County

On Feb. 6, Kristen Fisher officially became the new director of community mental health services after being approved by the Livingston County Board of Supervisors. As a mental health professional with an impressive resume and optimistic goals, Fisher is enthusiastic to step into this role and advocate for mental health services in Livingston County. 

Before beginning in this role, Fisher worked in Wyoming County with the Local Government Unit, where she led mental health training sessions and worked with community members. This has prepared her to take on the needs of people looking for mental health treatment and care access in Livingston County. 

“Wyoming and Livingston counties are similar in that the population is largely rural. Our counties also struggle with many of the same issues, such as accessing services and overcoming stigma,” Fisher said in an interview conducted via email. “My goal in my work is to develop relationships between community agencies so individuals receive the right services at the right time, to reduce stigma, and to ensure that people feel as comfortable as possible within the service system, even when dealing with uncomfortable life circumstances.”

Fisher intends to carry out her goals by working directly with the community to raise awareness for mental health and for the services that the county provides. As this position is inherently linked to community outreach, Fisher wants community members to be aware of the services that people can access for mental health treatment, and she herself can serve as a conduit to connect people with the services they may require. 

“Livingston County is blessed with several great resources for addressing any concern you might have, from distressing feelings to substance use disorders. People often don’t know what’s available to them, until they have a concern, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my office to learn what might be the best fit for you,” said Fisher. 

In addition to her work within larger community organizations, Fisher also has experience working closely with college students.

“[I] worked in a college counseling center and was struck by the weight of what college students carry, from personal tragedies to worries about the future,” said Fisher. It takes such strength to cope with these issues every day while attending classes and worrying about grades.”

Despite the challenges that college students encounter on a daily basis that impact their mental wellbeing, Fisher suggests that there are ways in which both the college as an institution and students as individuals can promote mental health awareness. 

“Normalizing mental wellness and coping skills can promote help seeking. Everyone on

campus, not just those in the counseling center, can promote good mental health by openly discussing their emotions and coping practices, and by supporting those who are open about mental health concerns,” Fisher said. “Individuals can also seek out training… to feel better equipped to recognize signs of people in crisis and feel comfortable addressing these issues. Finally, being kind to others, noticing when people don’t seem like themselves, and listening intently don’t take any special training, and can be put into practice right away.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health and are interested in accessing services, you can contact the Livingston County Mental Health Community Services at 585-243-7250, or email KFisher@co.livingston.ny.us.