PARK RIDGE—Fifty years ago, Pascack Mental Health Center opened for business at 114 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge. Its door was unadorned metal, calling no attention to itself on the side of the building, which now houses Wells Fargo & Co.
To those who entered, the place was a comfort in times of turmoil and anxiety.
Diane M. Dougherty, vice president of the center’s board of trustees, tells Pasack Press in a statement, “In the early days, when the subject of mental health issues was hardly ever mentioned, the center remained what we fondly called it: the best-kept secret in Park Ridge. Now, with most communities being considered ‘stigma-free,’ mental health issues are no longer forbidden topics and our inconspicuous metal door proudly has our name displayed over it.”
The Pascack Mental Health Center (the Center) is an independent, not-for-profit agency offering psychotherapy. Its skilled, compassionate clinicians have been trained in various disciplines and offer informed, collaborative, and highly personalized treatments.
In celebration of its 50 years of service to the community, the PMHC was fortunate to be chosen as the charity beneficiary of For The Benefit Of Inc., a 501(c)3 charitable organization that “provides the foundation to structure a fundraising event and bring it from idea to fruition.”
Its mission is “to financially assist families with healthcare costs and educational needs and to support organizations that have a significant impact on the communities our families live in.”
This fundraising event was held on Oct. 23, 2022 and made what the Pascack Mental Health Center board called “a wonderful opportunity for attendees to learn more about the center.”
Dougherty said, “Somebody once referred to the center as “The little agency that could.’ Well, we could, we can, and we will.”
As the Pascack Mental Health Center is solely supported by fees and the generosity of a concerned community, donations are gratefully accepted and are tax-deductible. Checks may be made out to PMHC and sent to PO Box 126, Park Ridge, NJ 07656.
For more donation options and for more information about Pascack Mental Health Center, call (201) 391-1355 or visit pascackmentalhealthcenter.com.