Swampscott Disabled Veterans To Host Mental Health Summit

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A mental health awareness event bringing together those who served their country and young people is planned for Swampscott High School next week.

The E.F. Gilmore Disabled American Veterans of Swampscott and Lynn is hosting the Mental Health Summit on Nov. 15 with a theme of "Together We Thrive: Veterans and Teens Embracing Mental Wellness."

The summit is designed to bring together experts to discuss mental health issues affecting both teens and veterans.

"We hope that this summit will begin the discussion on the North Shore about the issues of mental health in our community," E.F. Gilmore DAV Commander Jeffrey Blonder said.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Experts are planning to discuss mental health issues and suicide prevention.

"There are many ways community members could benefit from this summit, gaining general or specific information that is helpful to themselves, a friend or community member," Blonder said. "The days of stigmatizing mental health concerns are slowly melting behind us. It is time to be welcoming to those who wish to reach out, to those who may feel marginalized, or those who could use support in this fast-moving and challenging world we occupy together.

"The speakers will talk about issues that affect both teens and the veteran population, and by extension, much of the North Shore Community. If our forum of professionals encourages one person to extend that hand in peace and friendship or one person to turn themselves in the direction of making their life a little more satisfying, it will have been a good night."

The summit is open to all with no charge to attend.

For more information, contact Commander Blonder at 617-967-6892., Commander Blonder added.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)