Jeff McQueen THE MENTAL HEALTH CRUSADER

Jeff McQueen is a man who daily sets out to improve mental health in our community through advocacy, education, program development and the delivery of quality direct services. As the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Nassau County, he is a true changemaker in every sense.

McQueen is a combat veteran equipped with first-hand experience within multiple facets of recovery. “It truly is an honor to serve in this role because I am the model of who we serve in our community,” he states.

The organization is a not-for-profit membership foundation dedicated to improving mental health in our community through programs. Since its founding in 1953, MHANC has been an advocate for the needs of adults and children with psychiatric and emotional difficulties. Throughout the 1970s, MHANC provided information for individuals seeking treatment or services while continuing its advocacy efforts. In the 1980s, the agency grew rapidly to fill the growing need for innovative community services.

As a leader of the group, McQueen believes mental health is as important as physical health, and that recovery is possible. Services fall in line with his principles and help assist individuals facing chronic and serious mental illness and psychiatric disabilities, supporting them on their paths to building productive and meaningful lives.

“My background is that of recovery. I come from a world of trauma and substance use and incarceration and homelessness. It took a lot to arrive at a place where life has pretty much become whatever it is that I focus on making it,” McQueen Reflects. “This is what we believe to be necessary. And vital to the community of those who live with diagnosis or live behind these walls of substance use disorder. I always try to hold a candle of hope and keep it available for those who have yet to find it.”

“We always want to make sure that at the forefront of anyone receiving care that the experience that they receive from their team is a worthwhile and comfortable and loving experience,” he says.

McQueen presents implementation techniques throughout the country on topics such as personal growth, change, time management, and other recovery-based modalities all while learning from a variety of adversities and obstacles throughout his own experiences. It is something that makes the mission of MHANC powerful.

The champion changemaker goes on about how assistance should be given for all who seek help. “When we look at something like this, it is not like we are looking at cancer where it is unavoidable. We are not looking at a situation that is out of our control. In our community overdose can be prevented. And so, this is even more reason why we should devote attention and time to it because it’s actually something that we know we can impact.”

He takes great pride in learning from life’s challenges and in turn educating society and empowering the world.

“We have to become a society that understands that not all wounds are physical wounds,” McQueen passionately reflects. “People have had things happen to them and we need to become a loving, caring society that understands this and is able to embrace people regardless of the wound.”

Ed Schloeman’s faith in mankind is what makes him fight the good fight. With his organization, Operation Warrior Shield, which is led by him along with Walter Primoff, and Patrick Kernan as well as a board of directors and advisors, he is the definition of a true changemaker.

OWS provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, first responders and their families that are focused