President’s Message for May 2025

Spring Fling!

One part of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health system that seems to work consistently is the Clubhouses. They offer support, companionship, structure, skill building, connections to work, fun activities, and so much more. We celebrate the clubhouse programs, their members and staff, in and near our affiliate each April with a dinner dance called Spring Fling.

Thanks to the Potter Place Clubhouse, Haverhill Clubhouse, Elm Brook Place, Point After Club, and Horizon House for joining us for a celebration of spring and positive mental health. Our long time and favorite disc jockey, Mr. Melody-DJ Joe T, leads a corner of the dance floor in a group dance. Nice moves one and all!

Hope Blooms Here

In conjunction with the Tulip Project effort associated with the Emerson Hospital Mental Health Working Group, the town of Westford created a “Hope Blooms Here” event. It highlighted the tulips in the town hall Hope Garden planted last fall with the intention of opening conversations about mental health and reducing stigma. Attendees could decorate yellow rocks to display in the garden, plant seeds of hope, and interact with area support organizations. There was ice cream, yellow balloons, bubbles, and plenty of free fidgets! Our table volunteers connected many attendees to our programs and gave out loads of crisis cards. The first photo below features myself, Kelsey Magnuson, from Emerson Health, and Nicole Laviolette, Westford’s Community Wellness Coordinator. We love the local, face to face opportunities!

Every year, tulips go in the cold, dark ground all winter then bloom beautifully in the light of spring. It's a reminder that, like these tulips, we can weather the storms of life and emerge stronger on the other side. Just as we care for the tulips, we should nurture and support each other and ourselves. Tulip bulbs need to be planted close together. Just like us -- we all need community.