Salem For All Ages To Host Substance Abuse Workshop

SALEM, MA — Salem for All Ages will host a free, interactive workshop for seniors that examines the potential for substance abuse and how it affects their lives.

The workshop, held in collaboration with the Boston University's Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research, will run on Monday from 3 to 4:15 p.m. at the Mayor Jean A. Levesque Community Life Center on Bridge Street.

The workshop will also explore strategies on how to make informed choices and to enhance the well-being of themselves and their communities.

Joe Pereira, a licensed clinical social worker and addictions specialist, will be the guest speaker. There will be a Spanish translation.

The workshop is part of a behavioral health campaign designed to cover topics such as mental health, isolation, depression and suicide prevention.

Salem for All Ages recognizes that behavioral health needs for older adults have increased dramatically since the pandemic and that there is a lack of providers to meet the need. This campaign seeks to connect community members with available resources and provide basic guidance on a number of common behavioral health issues older adults may be facing.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)