Westfield Wants You To Try New 'CAKE Crumb Trail' For Wellness

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield students and the Westfield Mental Health Council have launched, for the month of May, the "CAKE Crumb Trail" — a free, socially distant and educational activity that focuses on mental and emotional wellness while promising fun (and some giveaways) along the way.

Residents can take a self-guided tour of certain downtown stops designed to highlight Westfield’s commitment to being a stigma-free and inclusive community. They include the rainbow crosswalks, sensory garden at Mindowaskin Park, and the Justice Gardens at First United Methodist Church.

A free guide map directs participants to ten locations that embody Westfield's spirit of compassion, acceptance, kindness and empathy. Participants who spot shops displaying CAKE decals in their windows can stop inside for free coloring pages designed by local illustrator Giao Williams.

Westfield High School students have helped with planning and will also be pitching in as CAKE Ambassadors, passing out pre-packaged “swag” to lucky participants on the weekends.

The CAKE initiative, which emphasizes the importance of compassion, acceptance, kindness, and empathy, is part of the Mental Health Council’s ongoing focus on mental wellness and behavioral health.

Established in 2018 under Mayor Shelley Brindle, the Mental Health Council’s goal is to bring members of the community together with mental health stakeholders to create awareness of mental health resources and establish additional programs and support for Westfield families and youth.

“Mental Health Awareness Month provides us with an important opportunity to check in on one another,” said Brindle. “After a year like no other, it is very likely that many people in our community have been affected, directly or indirectly, by mental illness."

She added, "It is time to break the stigma that exists around mental health and make Westfield a model in providing comprehensive youth and family mental health support.”

Guide maps are available on the Council’s website, and can be picked up at the Westfield Fire and Police stations on North Avenue and E. Broad Street, respectively. The town’s Instagram account (@TownofWestfield) will also highlight Mental Health Awareness Month content throughout May.

Related events

In addition, the Mental Health Council will present a webinar entitled “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” on Wednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. with Dr. Jim Handlin, a founding member and educational consultant to the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Center of New Jersey. The free session will focus on techniques to reduce stress in order to enhance overall mental health and wellbeing. Details can be found on the Town's website.

The Mental Health Council would like to remind residents that mental and emotional health services and resources are available for free to any New Jersey citizen and can be accessed via text message (text “NJHOPE” to 51684) or phone (866-202-HELP; videophone 973-870-0677 for the hearing impaired). Any questions or suggestions for the Mental Health Council may be sent to cake@westfieldnj.gov.

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