Mental Health Council

WML Mental Health MonthMental Health Council LogoMission

The mission of the Mental Health Council is to facilitate the creation of a comprehensive mental health support system for the Westfield community that promotes lifelong mental wellness, educates the public, ensures access to available resources, and agrees on a coalesces around core community values in an effort to make Westfield a stigma-free community.


Goal

The goal of the Mental Health Council is to bring members of the community together with mental health stakeholders to accomplish the following:

  • Break the stigma that exists around mental health
  • Coordinate and align efforts amongst the various organizations that provide mental health services
  • Create awareness for existing community resources
  • Establish additional mental health programs and support for Westfield families and youth as identified by the community
  • Identify best practices for support and crisis prevention measures and make recommendations accordingly

2023 WMHC Brochure_Page_1

2023 WMHC Brochure_Page_2

Meetings

  • Meets on the first Wednesday of the month via Zoom.

Members

  • Elizabeth Jeffery, Mayor's Representative
    Term Expires: December 31, 2023
  • Linda Habgood, Town Council Liaison
    Term Expires: December 31, 2022
  • Thomas Fowler, Non-profit mental health provider
    Term Expires: December 31, 2022 (Unexpired term)
  • Falynn Balassone, Westfield Public Schools Representative
    Term Expires: December 31, 2023
  • Amy Lewis, Health Department Representative
    Term Expires: December 31, 2022
  • Dr. Lauren Kaplan Sagal, Medical Mental Health Professional
    Term Expires: December 31, 2023
  • Gina Totino, LCSW, Resident
    Term Expires: December 31, 2023
  •                   , Resident
    Term Expires: December 31, 2022
  • Anne Arena, Resident
    Term Expires: December 31, 2023
  • Dominique Trott, Resident
    Term Expires: December 31, 2023
  • Ellen Devin, Alternate #1
    Term Expires: December 31, 2022
  •                     , Alternate #2
    Term Expires: December 31, 2023


Additional Member Information

  • 10 members comprised of Mayor's representative; Town Council representative; a representative from non-profit organizations that provide mental health services; Westfield Public Schools representative; Board of Health representative; medical mental health professional; and four (4) residents to be selected from volunteer applications. Volunteers shall demonstrate a strong personal interest in this field and an interest in making an impact in the community related to mental health. Two alternates will also be appointed.
  • Two-year term, except that upon the original organization of the Council, three members shall be appointed for a term of one year; three members for a term of two years and four members for a term of three years. Thereafter, the term of each member shall be for two years.
  • Mayor Appointment/Council Consent


If you have a question or suggestion, please contact the Council through the Mental Health Council contact form.