North Shore Mental Health Summit Looks To Bridge Generations

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A public mental health summit designed to bring together veterans and teens to talk about their shared challenges is set for Swampscott High School on Tuesday.

The E.F. Gilmore Disabled American Veterans of the North Shore is hosting the second annual summit with this year's theme being "Together we Thrive: Veterans and Teens Embracing Mental Wellness."

The summit is set for 6 p.m.

"We hope that this summit will begin the discussion in the North Shore about the issues of mental health in our communities," said Jeffrey Blonder, Commander of the E. F. Gilmore DAV. "At the Summitt we plan to have experts available to discuss mental health issues, substance abuse, and suicide prevention. "

The forum will discuss general information that may be helpful to everyone as well as addressing specific topics that audience members may be interested.

"There are many ways community members could benefit from this summit, gaining general or specific information that is helpful to themselves, a friend or community member," Blonder said. "The days of stigmatizing mental health concerns are slowly melting behind us. It is time to be welcoming to those who wish to reach out, to those who may feel marginalized, or those who could use support in this fast-moving and challenging world we occupy together.

"If our forum of professionals encourages one person to extend that hand in peace and friendship or one person to turn themselves in the direction of making their life a little more satisfying, it will have been a good night."

The summit is open to all and there is no charge. A light dinner will be served at 6 p.Mm. For further information, contact Jeffrey Blonder at e_f_gilmore_dav_chapter64@yahoo.com.

(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.)