Eye on WNY: Erie County's Free Behavioral Health App Makes Finding Resources Easier

The number of Americans living with behavioral health challenges continues to rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the number of children and teenagers living with depression and anxiety has increased over time. Therefore, making behavioral health resources more accessible and easy to use is essential, especially for parents.

In Erie County, a free digital resource has been designed to connect parents and caregivers with behavioral resources for school-age children and families. Erie Path is available as a smartphone app for iPhone and Android, as well as a website. It lists nearly 700 programs and more than 1,000 resources covering a wide range of behavioral conditions.

The app “will give families the tools and supports they need to help themselves and the children they love to grow and flourish,” stated Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz in a county press release.

Listings include clinical treatment centers, substance use disorder counseling, community activities, first aid programs, housing information, food pantries, and social services. Parents and caregivers can search by program or agency name, by keyword, or by using guided search options. Content can be viewed in multiple languages.

Patricia Logan-Greene, PhD, MSSW, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, is a 2023 UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Pilot Studies Principal Investigator whose research examines the effects of childhood maltreatment on aggression, delinquency, and health outcomes throughout the lifespan. She believes easily accessible behavioral health resources are essential, especially for teens and children.

“Teens spend much of their lives on apps, for better or for worse, so using a tool like this may help reach some teens in a format in which they are comfortable,” Logan-Greene explains. 

She adds that the availability of resources may also break down some of the stigmas around reaching out for behavioral health help.

“There is still a huge stigma around help-seeking for behavioral health concerns,” Logan-Greene states. “They also may not have equitable access to therapy because of [insurance plans that do not adequately cover behavioral health]. In addition, they need clinicians who are aware of their community and cultural contexts.”

Western New York’s long winters can be especially difficult for those facing behavioral health challenges.

“In an area like Buffalo, the impacts of cold and dreary winters may be felt by many,” Logan-Greene says. “Even recognizing that their mood might be affected by the weather can help people feel better.”

Taking advantage of available resources, like the Erie Path app, is key. Logan-Greene says 211-WNY “is always a great option for people who need help accessing resources.” She also highlights the new behavioral health and suicide hotline, which can be reached by calling 988.

Check out the county’s Live Well Erie website at erie.gov/livewellerie.

Updated November 4, 2025