In the News
Mayor Sarno, HHS Commissioner Caulton-Harris and City of Springfield Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Human Resource and Labor Relations Director Attorney William Mahoney, City Councilor Zaida Govan and Director of Constituent Services Molly Shea joined with representatives from mental health organizations to recognize Mental Health Awareness month in the City of Springfield. In addition, the first week of May is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Mayor Sarno presented the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week proclamation to Nicole Desnoyers and Union Station will be “lit up green” during that week to bring awareness.
Featured speakers included Chief Executive Officer of Gandara Center Lois Nesci, BHN Senior Vice President Dr. Kathy Mague, Public Health Institute of Western MA Youth Mental Health Coalition Manager Tiffany Rufino and BHN VP of Resource Development and Branding Kim Lee. Lamari Jackson, District Director for State Senator Adam Gomez, Nicole Desnoyers, representing the Parent and Professional Advocacy League, and City Hall Facility team member John Balsam were also in attendance.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, HR Director Bill Mahoney and my Director of Constituent Services Molly Shea, who helped to organize our City of Springfield Mental Health Awareness month event, for their continued efforts working and advocating for mental health. We come together today with representatives from our local mental health organizations to help raise awareness and the resources available. Thank you to MHA, Gandara, the Public Health Institute of Western MA, BHN and all of our local mental health organizations and advocacy groups and service providers. This year’s theme for Mental Health Month is ‘Back to Basics’. My administration is proud to support the great work these organizations do. In addition, I am also proud of my dedicated city team for the work they do in support promoting good mental health and sharing the resources that are available, including the Employee Assistance program(s) we offer for our city employees.”