Mental Health Task Force

This year, the City of Newburyport is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the "Take the Moment" campaign. The campaign, created by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.

We encourage you to join us in fostering open dialogues, cultivating empathy and understanding. We also urge you to share resources to support individuals and families on their journey towards mental wellness. Through "Take the Moment," we shine a spotlight on facts about mental health, local and national resources and the NAMI HelpLine, which is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.

Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640 or chat with us at nami.org/talktous.

Need Immediate Help in A Crisis?

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988 if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis and get connected to a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crisis counselors listen empathetically and without judgment. Your crisis counselor will work to ensure that you feel safe and help identify options and information about mental health services in your area.

In addition to sharing resources and the “Take the Moment” camping information, many City Department’s have resources, events and activities available throughout the month of May as we continue to highlight this very important issue year-round.

To learn more about current statistics and local (as well as national) resources, please see this information provided by the City of Newburyport’s Health Department.

Local City Offerings during Mental Health Awareness month

NPL: every Tuesday at 8 AM ,Yoga and Mindfulness,  a free virtual program open to all.

COA: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 11:00AM-12:00PM, Food, Mood and Brain Health-

Join Registered Dietitian, Leigh Hartwell from AgeSpan, to learn about the MIND diet. The MIND diet was developed to reduce dementia and the decline in brain health that occurs as we age. Following this eating plan may also lower the risk of anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders. Learn how the food choices you make today can lead to a healthier brain tomorrow.

Newburyport Public Library: Tuesday, May 7 at 9:30 AM, Goats Library Tour :

Supporting mental health through fun and calming activities. Attendees are able to meet, pet, and learn about the goats.

NPL: Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 PM, DIY Flower Arranging :

Supporting mental health through fun and calming activities.  This is DIY, self-taught program, for which we provide all materials while supplies last.

NBPT Rec and Youth Services: Tuesday, May 7^th 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Nock Auditorium; The Parenting Years Speaker Series presents Pam Garramone, “A Parent’s Guide to Happier Kids”

Pam Garramone, M.Ed., is an award-winning speaker, positive psychology life coach and author who teaches the science of happiness. Through professional training and meaningful personal practices, Pam has found that the smallest changes make the biggest difference. You can truly become happier through the development of a new mindset and simple yet powerful exercises. Come hear Pam speak about the science of happiness and strategies to help our kids become happier! No registration required. Free childcare available!

NBPT Rec and Youth Services: Wednesday, May 15^th 7-8:30 PM Newburyport High School Auditorium; "Youth Stressors and their Effect on Mental Health"

A panel of high school youth will present their experience of high school pressures, what it has been like for them and what adults and parents can do to help reduce these stressors. In an age where youth rates of depression, stress and anxiety are on the rise, come hear directly from young people about how we can reduce these negative mental health outcomes. 

Council on Aging: Thursday, May 16, 2024 1:30-2:30, Physical activity, exercise and Mental Well-Being

Get moving, any physical activity improves brain function. Join us as we learn about the importance of physical activities and how you can add it into your daily routine. Ilene Harnch-Grady, Newburyport YWCA Health and Wellness/Encore Director.

Thursday, May 23^rd 2024, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM Newburyport Public Library “Mental Health First Aid Training: Helping Youth Ages 12-17”

The Family Services of the Merrimack Valley and Newburyport Recreation and Youth Services invite you to attend a training designed for adults who work or interact with youth (i.e., parents, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors) to learn how to effectively identify a mental health crisis and how to communicate with youth about their mental health. Must be 18+ to attend. Food and drink will be served. Event is FREE but Registration is required. Register here.

COA: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 10:00-11:00. Now What?  Are you and adult over the age of 65, a sibling, parent, or someone you know, dealing with anxiety, depression, substance abuse or other mental health issue? If so, finding help can be daunting.  Join us to find out about the area mental health outreach team that services our area. EMHOT- Elder Mental Health Outreach Team, from the Amesbury Council on Aging.

COA: These programs are being offered at the Newburyport Senior/Community Center at no charge. Pre-registration is requested. Sign-ups are posted on the Sign-up Wall at the COA. For more information please, all Ann at 978-462-0430.

NBPT Rec and Youth Services:

NPL: The Library also provides access to a database called Health and Wellness (accessible through our Online Resources page). Users can find articles, videos, and audio covering a variety of subtopics surrounding mental health. Lastly, in addition to requesting books related to mental health, patrons are able to check out a Light Therapy Lamp and White Noise Maker from our Library of Things. 

Last year, Mayor Reardon started a Task Force on Mental Health in order to respond to the increase in the number of individuals struggling with their mental health and looking for access to services, which was further exacerbated by COVID. As a first step, the City commissioned a mental health needs assessment, and the report is attached below. The goal is that this information can be used to make health care and community resources more accessible and fairer for everyone. The Mayor's Office will be announcing additional initiatves to follow up on this assessment in the coming weeks.