Capital Region behavioral-health system merges operations with Helio Health

SYRACUSE — Fulton Friendship House of Gloversville has merged its operations with Syracuse–based Helio Health, a combination of two of New York’s nonprofit behavioral-health systems. The affiliation process that began June 2022 is now complete, Helio Health said in its March 26 announcement. The combination became official on Feb. 20, Florence Dukes, chief marketing officer for Helio Health, tells CNYBJ in an email. “With this merger’s completion both organizations have proven that we are stronger together. We have established strong capacities in substance-use disorder and mental-health services, residential, housing and support services. We will do more as one agency to enhance service quality and develop more seamless access to services,” per the Helio Health announcement. The combined organization offers inpatient, outpatient, residential, and in-community services in the Finger Lakes, Central and Southern, Mohawk Valley, and now Capital region. It also has more than 1,000 employees and serves more than 19,000 people annually. Of the more than 1,000 employees, about 30 were added in the merger, Dukes notes. Helio Health works to “promote recovery” from the effects of substance use and mental health disorders and other health issues. It provides services in Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, Utica, Gloversville, and surrounding counties in New York state. Helio Health programs have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in Central New York since 1920, per its announcement.