Do you know someone who might be depressed, but don’t know how to help? Are you interested in bringing greater awareness and destigmatization to mental illness? Do you care about your Newton friends and neighbors?

If yes, then join us at the next Newton Cares meeting on Thursday, November 20th, 4-6pm at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street.

Thursday, November 20, 4-6pm
Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street

The Newton Cares Coalition was formed last year to bring greater awareness to mental health issues, to help prevent suicides in our community, and to find ways to support those who have been bereaved by suicide. Newton Cares is a community partnership that requires active and broad-based involvement.

Once a month the Coalition holds meetings to develop working plans for the coming year. Anyone is welcome to come, whether you have attended in the past. Municipal and school leaders, mental health experts, adults and youth convened at the Newton Senior Center to discuss the Newton Cares mission and structure, activities to date, and future plans. Accomplishments include the creation of a web-based mental health screening service offered by the City, a number of recently completed and upcoming suicide and mental health training programs, coping and support strategies, and programming for youth and adults.

Meeting attendees participate in one of four Newton Cares working subgroups–Postvention (the short-term response following a suicide), Youth, Adult, Advocacy–to brainstorm ideas and develop priorities for the next six months.

For a complete set of meeting notes, visit the Newton Cares website at www.newtonma.gov/newtoncares.