Better Mental Health

Issue

  • The pandemic has taken a toll on our mental health, particularly from the loss of loved ones, as well as students who have been out of school, caregivers who are overburdened, frontline healthcare and other essential workers who have gone through so much, and all those cut off from their normal support systems.
  • Mental health was a growing issue even before the pandemic. There were almost 350 opioid overdoses in 2019, down from 2018 but still very high. The suicide rate in the United States increased 35.2% over the last 20 years.
  • There is a strong correlation between homelessness and untreated mental health/addiction issues.

Jared’s Record

  • Strongly advocated for curriculum with my colleagues on the School Committee that was adopted in Lynn Public Schools for social-emotional learning.
  • Identified opportunities with my colleagues on the School Committee for the Lynn Public Schools to do more in the fight against the opioid crisis, including training athletics staff on pain management after an injury.

Jared’s Platform

  • Continue to build out the social-emotional learning curriculum and services in the Lynn Public Schools.
  • Establish a permanent senior center to provide a much-needed focal point for our seniors for social connection as well as services for physical health and mental health.
  • Pursue a vision of public safety that sends the right team with the right skills in the right moments, particularly with the implementation of ALERT.
  • Provide local first responders more mental health support and work on reducing the stigma of getting help.
  • Include and support local mental health service providers in citywide conversations about mental health, including the recruitment and retention of culturally competent clinicians.