World Mental Health Day: The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction

Oct 29, 2024Blog

Every year on October 10, people around the globe come together to recognize World Mental Health Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. While mental health is universally significant, it takes on a unique urgency in the context of addiction recovery, where treatment for mental health conditions can be a key to long-term sobriety and wellness.

For many, addiction can be a form of self-medication. In trying to alleviate pain or numb difficult emotions, people may turn to substances like alcohol or drugs. Over time, however, this coping mechanism becomes a harmful cycle, where substance use worsens mental health symptoms, creating an ongoing loop that can be challenging to escape without professional help.

How We Incorporate Mental Health Treatment in Recovery:

We Address the Root Causes of Addiction: Mental health treatment provides the space for individuals to explore underlying emotional and psychological issues that may have contributed to their addiction. By uncovering and addressing these root causes, individuals are better equipped to understand the “why” behind their substance use, which can reduce the likelihood of relapse.

We Help Patients Build Emotional Resilience: Recovery is an emotional journey that requires navigating difficult feelings without the crutch of substances. Mental health treatment offers individuals practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, and cravings. This process builds emotional resilience, empowering individuals to face challenges without turning to substances as a solution. Tools like mindfulness practices, grounding exercises, and stress management techniques are invaluable in recovery, giving people effective, healthy alternatives to manage life’s ups and downs.

We Foster a Strong Support System: In addition to individual therapy, group therapy and peer support are essential in recovery. These communities foster a sense of connection and belonging and provide a shared understanding of struggles, creating a compassionate environment that normalizes seeking help and discussing mental health challenges openly.

We Create a Path for Long-Term Recovery: Mental health treatment, in conjunction with addiction treatment, helps individuals rediscover a sense of purpose, heal relationships, and re-engage with life’s joys and challenges. We’ll soon be opening our outpatient center, which will offer mental health treatment in addition to medication-assisted treatment for patients in recovery.

On World Mental Health Day, it’s essential to reinforce the idea that mental health is health, and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. For those in recovery, mental health treatment isn’t just an aspect of recovery—it is the heart of it. By addressing mental health as part of addiction treatment, we foster a comprehensive healing process that makes lasting recovery possible.

Back to the blog

Contact Hudson

About us

Hudson Behavioral Health was formed in 1980 (as Hudson Health Services, Inc.) to bring the first residential recovery program to the Eastern Shore. Today, thousands of patients later, we remain the leader in recovery programs and resources, with our staff of 125 committed to serving each patient as an individual.

ABOUT US

Erin Risser, PMHNP

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Erin Risser joined Hudson Behavioral Health as their PMHNP in 2025. Her addition to the team allows for expanded treatment services, and she oversees the Outpatient Center located in Salisbury.

Erin holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University and previously worked as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse at TidalHealth.

Alexandra Richards, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Alexandra Richards joined Hudson Behavioral Health as their PMHNP in 2023. Her addition to the team allows for expanded prescribing and treatment services.

Alexandra received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Del Tech in 2018, and her Master of Science in nursing from Walden University in 2022. As part of her studies, she interned at Lower Shore Clinic, Inspiration Health Services and Hudson Behavioral Health.

Susan Forrest, LCSW-C, CAC-AD

Clinical Director of Outpatient Services

As the Clinical Director of Outpatient Services, Susan oversees the daily operations of Hudson’s Outpatient Mental Health Center. She provides clinical oversight for staff along with providing supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level intern students.

Susan joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2023 as Director of Clinical Operations. She has more than a decade of experience working to improve recovery resources in the greater Salisbury area. Susan earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Salisbury University.

Joyce Parsons, EdD, RN

Director of Nursing

Joyce Parsons is the Director of Nursing at Hudson Behavioral Health. She is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the nursing staff, and she collaborates with the Medical Director, Clinical Director and CEO on all major medical decisions.

She received her associate degree in Nursing from Wor-Wic in 1979, her bachelor's and master's degrees in Nursing from Wilmington University in 2011 and 2014 respectively, and earned her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University in 2021.

Dr. Robert A. Coker, D.O., DABAM

Medical Director

Dr. Robert Coker is an internist with admitting and consulting privileges at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland, where he served as Chief of the Department of Medicine from 2005-2007. Dr. Coker is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine (DABAM). He is licensed to practice medicine in both Maryland and New Jersey.

Joshua Pippin

Treatment Housing Manager

As the Treatment Housing Manager, Josh is responsible for overseeing recovery services in Hudson's five Maryland Level 3.1 treatment homes and two Sober Living Homes in Delaware .

Josh joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2020 as a Behavioral Health Aide, and later advanced to the position of House Manager in which he was responsible for running one of the treatment homes.

Josh is a resident of Salisbury, Maryland.

Kerry L. Turner, MSW, LCSW-C, CAC-AD

Mental Health Therapist

Kerry Turner joined the Hudson Behavioral Health team in 2009. She has worked in a variety of roles leading to her current position, providing mental health therapy in our 3.1 low intensity residential housing program. Kerry holds active Maryland licenses as follows: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C), and Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug with supervisory status (CAC-AD).

Kerry began her career working as a counselor for persons with substance use disorder, after completing an Associates Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling at Wor Wic Community College. She subsequently completed Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) degrees in Social Work at Salisbury University. Kerry also holds a Certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment Level One from the Ferentz Institute.

Rita Mecca, CMA

Chief Financial Officer

As the Chief Financial Officer at Hudson Behavioral Health, Rita is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of Hudson Behavioral Health, including $10M in annual revenue, 100+ employees and 10 facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware.

Rita joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2021. She previously served as Controller of Tyson Foods in Berlin, MD and Airpax Corporation in Cambridge, MD, and most recently was a Senior Financial Analyst at Tidal Health.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marywood College in Scranton, PA and later went on to earn an M.B.A. from Salisbury University in 2003.

Alex Pullen

Director of Marketing

As the Director of Marketing, Alex is responsible for maintaining relationships with community partners and referral sources. Through collaborative discussions with local health officials and other behavioral health facilities, he assesses the needs of the addictions community and works to accommodate those needs.

Alex joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2021. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, PA.

Michele Sterling

Clinical Director

As the Clinical Director, Michele oversees the daily operations of Hudson’s residential campus. She provides clinical oversight for staff on campus and in residential housing along with providing supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level intern students.

Michele joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2019 as Residential Lead Counselor. She began her career as a substance abuse counselor after receiving her Associate’s Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College. Michele has worked in a variety of settings including both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, working with both adolescents and adults. Michele earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Salisbury University.

Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources 

Suzanne Caputo joined Hudson Behavioral Health in January 2017 as Director of Human Resources. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business from SUNY Plattsburgh in New York. For the last twenty years, Suzanne has worked in Human Resources in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, hospice, and home health care. She specializes in Recruiting, Training, and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). Suzanne relocated from New York to join the team at Hudson, bringing a valuable perspective from much larger organizations.

Kellie Noonan CRNP, FNP

Kellie Noonan is a nationally certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in family practice and addictions medicine. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Salisbury State University in Salisbury, MD and then earned her Master of Science at Wilmington University in New Castle, DE. Ms. Noonan is also a certified Buprenorphine provider through the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). She holds her national board certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Dr. Efigenio Leynes Bautista, MD

Psychiatrist 

Dr. Efigenio Lynes Bautista joined Hudson Health Services in 2005. He was educated at St. Thomas Aquiras University, School of Medicine and Surgery 1970. He also trained at the Manhattan State Hospital in 1974. Dr. Bautista has worked with individuals with co-occurring disorders his entire career and has extensive knowledge in treating individuals with complex diagnosis including Substance-Use Disorders.

Leah Evans

Director of Compliance & Quality Assurance

Leah started her career with Hudson in 2007 and has been integral in program and project implementation. She has contributed years of experience and knowledge to updating and maintaining our extensive Corporate Policies and Procedures to ensure staff and patient safety, as well as to maintaining our Joint Commission Accreditation. She has been instrumental in obtaining and updating various clinical, electronic health record, financial software systems and methods of documentation within the company. Leah manages the overall purchasing for the company, negotiates vendor contracts, assists in obtaining grant funding and insurance company reimbursements. Leah is also one of the leaders of our company Smile Team, that plans employee functions and fundraising initiatives.

Kelly Pullen

Director of Environmental Services 

Kelly Pullen joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2013 as Director of Environmental Services. Prior to his employment with the organization, Kelly was a successfully self-employed contractor in and around Salisbury, Maryland. He is certified as a Lead Paint Risk Assessor and is a Lead Paint Abatement Contractor. Kelly has been an integral part of key renovations and upgrades that have been made to both our Harting Drive Campus as well as our transitional housing properties.

Rebecca Kimmons, CAC-AD

Clinical Director of Residential Services

Rebecca Kimmons, CAC-AD is the Clinical Director of Residential Services at Hudson Behavioral Health. She began her career at Hudson in 2012 working at the Broad Street Women and Children's House and on the Main Campus as a Residential Counselor. She previously served as the Director of Housing.

In this leadership role, Rebecca is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Hudson’s residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs, encompassing the organization’s main campus as well as housing facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware—a total of 110 beds.

She provides clinical oversight for staff on campus and in residential housing along with providing supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level intern students.

She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Social Work from Salisbury University, and also has an Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College. Kimmons is a Certified Associate Counselor - Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD).

Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources 

Shiela Pullen, LPN

Nurse Educator

Shiela’s well-rounded professional history and the extensive knowledge she has gained from the more than 20 years she has spent with Hudson uniquely qualify her to serve as Nurse Educator.

She began her career at Hudson in 1998 as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Nursing Department. She received a Certificate in Nursing from Wor-Wic Community College in 1990 after which she took a position at Peninsula Regional Medical Center where she specialized in MedSurge Nursing. In 2000, she accepted the position of Director of Admissions at Hudson. In addition to her experience at PRMC, she has also worked as a private duty nurse within the local community.

Shiela’s dedication and loyalty to Hudson’s mission and its patients results in a warm and welcoming environment for new admissions.

Leslie Brown

President & Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Brown has served in and led non-profit organizations for most of her career in roles that include Controller, CFO and CEO. Her commitment to helping people recover from addiction and find success in daily life is unparalleled.

At Hudson, Leslie is tasked with managing a staff of more than 100 people over a full continuum of care with a budget of over 7 million dollars. She joined the organization in 2005 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2011. During her tenure and due to her vision, the organization has grown, increasing its budget by 300% and tripling staff size – both of which are the key to bringing treatment to people across more locations and creating open access. Among her many responsibilities, she oversees the operations and development of an extensive property portfolio, including the 51- bed main campus and 8 satellite facilities.

Before joining Hudson, Leslie worked at a number of non-profits, in roles that include employee and consultant. Her perseverance, skilled strategic planning, and revenue and investment diversification have led to successful and reliant organizations.