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What's Inside?
- A reflection on gratitude
- Putting race and health equity resources into practice
- Roadmap for Youth Mental Health- forum recap and Dec 6 webinar
- Policy updates
- PHIWM news, including new staff and a visit from the MA DPH Commissioner
- Upcoming events and opportunities
- Protect yourself and others from getting sick this season
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Racial Justice & Health Equity | |
Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western MA | |
Massachusetts Health Policy Forum | |
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At the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum’s November 2023 event, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts presented a Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western Massachusetts, which builds upon the state’s Promote Prevent Special Commission and the MA Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform.
Learn more:
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Dec 6 Webinar: What Can Western MA Do To Support Youth Mental Health? | |
Please join us on December 6 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm for a free webinar to learn about three bills, currently before the MA Legislature, that could support youth mental health. These bills are included in the policy recommendations of the Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western Massachusetts report. Guest speakers include MA State Senator John Velis and Courtney Chelo from the Children's Mental Health Campaign. | |
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Advocating for Policy Change: Legislation to Promote Youth Mental Health in Schools
On November 6 PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman delivered oral testimony to the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery about the need to pass An Act establishing a child and adolescent behavioral health implementation coordinating council (H.1979). This bill, a legislative priority of the Children’s Mental Health Campaign, will help address the inequitable access to school-based behavioral health supports and services in the Commonwealth.
More information | PHIWM’s testimony
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New Staff
Please join us in welcoming two Eli and Beyonca to the PHIWM team!
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Eli Crespo joined PHIWM in September as the Youth Mental Health Coalition Coordinator. With many years of experience as a peer leader in advocacy, workshop leadership, and guiding youth to break stereotypes in her community in Holyoke, Eli decided she wanted to be able to transform communities around her in a macro way. Learn more about Eli. | |
Beyonca Twiggs joined PHIWM in October as a Project Coordinator, working with the Alliance for Digital Equity. Beyonca has experience developing and implementing community outreach strategies, fostering partnerships with community organizations, and creating culturally responsive programming to engage diverse populations. Learn more about Beyonca. | |
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Coffee with the Commissioner
We were thrilled to recently bring together a small group of PHIWM board members, staff, and other folks from Western MA for a meet-and-greet with MDPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. Thanks to the Commissioner for taking the time to join us, share his priorities, and listen to our regional concerns.
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PHIWM in the News
Our projects and staff often appear in the news. Check out some of the latest:
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Additional Events & Opportunities
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Air Insights: What We're Learning From The Healthy Air Network, November 16, 2023, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Please join the Healthy Air Network for a webinar to learn about air quality data from Western Massachusetts. We will share how wildfire smoke has impacted our communities, bad air quality “hot spots”, and steps you can take to address air quality. This event is free and open to the public. Register for Air Insights Webinar.
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Dementia Caregivers Support Group, First Thursday of Each Month, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm: Are you a caregiver of a person with dementia? Join the Dementia Caregivers Support Group to learn, build relationships, and develop methods and skills to solve problems. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Mason Wright Senior Living Community at 74 Walnut Street. To Register contact Beth Cardillo at 413-244-3246 or beth.edelbergcardillo@baystatehealth.org.
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International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 18, 2023, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at 736 State St., Springfield, MA 01109: Each year the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) supports hundreds of large and small Survivor Day events around the world, in which suicide loss survivors come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience. This event is for Survivors of Suicide Loss only. Register here.
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Redefining Community Wellness Grant Application Now Open, Due December 1, 2023: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) has launched the Redefining Community Wellness Grants Program to intentionally center BIPOC voices throughout the grant-making and capacity building process. Grants of up to $145,000 are available per selected BIPOC organization. Learn more about this grant opportunity.
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Protect Yourself & Others From Getting Sick | |
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Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine is just one way that you can help protect yourself and others from getting sick during respiratory illness season! Help stop the spread of COVID, flu, and RSV. The flyer below is available in 13 languages!
Have questions about the COVID, flu, or RSV vaccines? Visit mass.gov/StopTheSpread.
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¡Recibir la vacuna COVID-19 actualizada es solo una manera de ayudar a protegerse y proteger a otros de enfermarse durante la temporada de enfermedades respiratorias! Ayude a detener la propagación de COVID, gripe y RSV. ¡El siguiente folleto está disponible en 13 idiomas!
¿Tiene preguntas sobre las vacunas contra el COVID, la gripe o el VRS? Visite mass.gov/StopTheSpread.
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