Mental Health Commission Formed In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ - Coordinating mental health efforts in Westfield is now a focus of Mayor Shelley Brindle, School Superintendent Margaret Dolan and Health Department Director Megan Avallone as part of the new Youth and Family Mental Health Commission.

According to Brindle, the 10 member commission will be comprised of members of the faith, education and mental health communities as well as resident volunteers. Brindle, Dolan and Avallone will be the steering committee for the group.

"Concurrently, we will be forming a Junior Mental Health Committee comprised of teens in our community that will be tasked with making their own recommendations," Brindle said.

The goal of the commission is to bring members of the community together with mental health stakeholders to accomplish the following:

• Coordinate and align efforts amongst the various organizations that provide mental health services
• Create awareness for existing community resources
• Break the stigma that exists around mental health
• Identify best practices for support and crisis prevention measures and make recommendations accordingly
• Establish additional mental health programs and support for Westfield families and youth as identified by the community

Brindle said that the hope is to deliver actionable recommendations in time for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

"It is very likely that every person in our community has personally experienced or been affected by mental illness. It is time to bring all of the resources of our community together to make Westfield a model in providing comprehensive youth and family mental health support, intervention, and prevention services," Brindle said. "The steering committee will be soliciting volunteers to participate in the next weeks and we will be seeking significant public participation in the weeks and months ahead."

For her part, Dolan said the social and emotional well-being of the students, the staff, and the families is of paramount importance to the Westfield Public School District.

"I look forward to working with Mayor Brindle, Ms. Avallone and members of the Youth and Family Mental Health Commission, as well with our students and their families, on this important issue,” Dolan said.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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