State Senator Jacob Oliveira, State Representatives Carlos Gonzalez, Bud Williams, Orlando Ramos and Brian Ashe, former state Representatives Ben Swan and Thomas Petrolati, Armando Olivares from state Senator Adam Gomez’s Office, and many community partners and supporters were also in attendance.
This initiative was created to make it easier for Springfield residents to access mental health and substance abuse care “At home, in your community, at our clinic, and/or via telehealth” (BHN). The center is located at 417 Liberty Street in Springfield, and will also seek to assist in addressing the needs of those facing a housing crisis.
Mayor Sarno states, “Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood and I are incredibly proud to continue to work with BHN President and CO Steve Winn and his amazing team. Their efforts to help our residents and those in need by striving to improve the mental health care services available in the region. This pandemic has exacerbated the need for mental health and substance use treatment and initiatives, and BHN has once again stepped up to the plate and answered the call for help. BHN has been a great community partner, especially with our Health and Police Departments, where they have been instrumental in responding to calls for service when called upon to assist those in need. I want to thank our local Springfield state delegation, especially former state Representative Ben Swan who long championed for more resources to address inequalities in mental and public health in Western Mass. Together, we will work with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to make sure that Springfield and Western Massachusetts has the resources, funding and especially the beds needed to get individuals and their families the same-day treatment and services they need.”
Steve Winn, President and CEO of BHN, who says “BHN welcomes the opportunity to provide much needed behavioral health services and greater access in the coverage areas designated by the Commonwealth. We believe this will serve the state and region well and we are pleased to be a part of this new and critically important initiative.”
