Improving mental health awareness and support services

For years, mental health support was not discussed because of fear and stigma. Following the collective trauma of the COVID pandemic, many residents have struggled with their mental health, particularly our students. Norwood currently has several programs that I want to see continued, expanded, or promoted more fully. 

Impact Norwood's focus on substance abuse prevention expanded to include mental health promotion and works directly with students at the middle and high schools. While Impact Norwood's programming has led to a decrease in substance use—as indicated on the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey from 2023—there are still many areas that can still be improved. I want to see Impact Norwood’s efforts continue and find stable funding for this program after its grant ends in 2027. 

Norwood was also the recipient of a Mental Health Awareness Training grant which allowed for the training of town and school staff in Mental Health First Aid. This program was not widely promoted to residents, which would be beneficial to all that live and work in Norwood, and as we approach the end of this grant, ensuring that this work can continue will be paramount.

Norwood has collaborated with the William James INTERFACE Referral Service for many years. This program matches residents in need of mental health services to providers and works with community groups to promote mental health as a key component of overall health. Additional promotion of this service, along with additional campaigns to promote mental health would assist those that are struggling.

Reestablishing pre-COVID programs

Prior to the 2020 COVID pandemic, the Health Department organized a number of programs and services for the town. This included supporting eye and dental clinics in Norwood's elementary schools, where students that were in need of additional care could be referred to local providers at no or low-cost. Additionally, the sanitarians conducted annual training programs for restaurant employees, to educate them on food safety and other inspection requirements.

While the dental clinic returned last year, the other programs have not. Working to re-establish those programs would be a top goal for the next year.

Strengthening collaboration with the NC-8 coalition

Norwood is a member of the Norfolk County 8 (NC-8) coalition which also includes the towns of Canton, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Walpole, Wellesley, and Westwood. NC-8 has funding through the Massachusetts Office of Local and Regional Health's Public Health Excellence program, and can provide shared services where one town may not be able to support their own employee. With uncertain town budget projections in the near future, exploring and fully utilizing this coalition will ensure key services can be supported in the years to come.

Increasing communications with residents

Many residents may not interact with the Health Department at all, nor realize the services that can be provided. Increased promotion of existing services and programs, including elder dental clinics, blood pressure clinics, immunizations, and reduced-cost helmets would allow more residents to take advantage of these programs. 

Additionally, there can be continued work on the Department's website to provide timely information to residents, and to be a useful resource for questions regarding complaints, licensing, and other common issues.

Health Department/Board of Health representation can also be explored with other town boards and committees, including the Council on Aging, School Health Council, Impact Norwood, and other groups as needed.

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