Here 2 Help Mental Health Coalition Launches Library Series

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains-Westfield Here 2 Help Mental Health Coalition is proud to launch a library series aimed at providing useful information regarding common stress and anxiety concerns.

The first presentation will be held on Thursday, January 17 from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Westfield Public Library. Entitled “This is Your Brain on Phones: Smartphone Overuse”, presenters Sean Foley of Prevention Links, Kim Schumacher, Guidance Counselor at Roosevelt Intermediate School and Marc Herzog from Papa Bear Digital Production will discuss the effects of smartphones on individuals and what we can do to protect ourselves and our families. Broken into three sections, the presentation will focus on how the current technological revolution effects our psychological behavior and neurological systems; how screen time has changed how we think, act, react, learn and absorb information; and the best practices for smartphone use from a health and well-being perspective.

Originally organized by the Westfield and Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCAs, the mission of the Here 2 Help Mental Health Coalition is to improve community awareness and understanding of mental health issues through education, basic skills training and resource information and to help break down barriers that prevent people from seeking care. Coalition members include Caring Contact, High Focus, Imagine, Jewish Family Service, Prevention Links, Resolve Community Counseling Center, representatives of area school districts, municipalities, clergy and other concerned citizens and organizations. Information about Here2Help can be found at www.here2helpnj.org and on their Facebook page, here2helpnj. Both are filled with timely and important mental health-related resource information.

The library presentations are free. Pre-registration is preferred at www.eventbrite.com/o/here-2-help-mental-health-forums-18328722191.
For more information on Here 2 Help, please contact Bonnie Cohen, bcohen@westfieldynj.org, 908-301-9622 x240 or Tracy Crane, tcrane@fspymca.org, 908-889-8880 x116.