The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention extends a heartfelt thank you to the numerous supporters who have made the coalition’s efforts possible over the past few months. Thanks to generous donations from Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Norwood Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham, the Gorman family, Medfield Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates of Wellesley Inc., we were able to extend Medfield’s contract with the Interface Referral Service for another year. The Interface Referral Service, a program of William James College, is a free and confidential mental health resource and referral helpline that connects residents of all ages to mental health professionals that match their individual needs. Interface is a vital resource that helps to reduce barriers to access to mental health treatment, which can significantly improve emotional wellbeing and prevent mental health crises. Medfield has benefited from the Interface Referral Service for the past two years and is grateful to have the opportunity to continue its connection to this important resource.

MedfieldCSP also held several events during the month of September, Suicide Awareness Month, which were made possible by the generosity of local individuals and businesses. Tracy Buckley and Kelly Armitage of Medfield Yoga Studio led a “Yoga on the Turf” event on Sept. 22 that provided an opportunity to practice wellness in the open air for community members of all ages. The event brought in over 30 participants and raised $365.

There was a #Yarn4Hope community art display featured in Straw Hat Park during the month of September that was adorned with knit creations in the colors purple and turquoise, the colors of Suicide Prevention. This canopy, inspired by the Natick’s Tunnel of Love, aimed to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health and included QR codes that connected visitors to mental health resources. Thank you to Nosh and Grog and the town of Medfield for allowing this public art display to occupy their property for the month of September. Thank you also to the dozens of community members who knit, crocheted, braided or tied a creation for the display. Community building is an important element of creating trust and support and ultimately promoting emotional wellness. The outpouring of support for this and other efforts is just one more example of how the Medfield community takes care of one another.

MedfieldCSP also partnered with the Medfield Cares About Prevention substance misuse prevention coalition to host a joint booth on Medfield Day focused on stress reduction and wellness. Many businesses donated gift cards and items to be raffled off at the booth and both coalitions are so thankful for the overwhelming generosity. Thank you to the following businesses and individuals for donating raffle items:

• Natural Nails

• Zen Nail & Spa

• Jaie3 Salon

• Medfield Yoga Studio

• Tangerini’s Farm

• Blue Moon Bagel Cafe

• Donut Express & Custom Cakes

• Park Street Books

• Andreea Cazacu and family

The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention thanks its supporters and the Medfield community as a whole for the many ways community members have come together to express caring, kindness and support for one another.

The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention was started in the fall of 2017 in response to community concern about the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the community. The coalition is composed of community members and professionals who desire to promote mental health. We recognize that suicide has touched our town and by coming together, we can raise awareness and increase our community’s capacity to save lives. Our mission is to promote the mental health and emotional wellbeing of all community members, to raise awareness, to reduce stigma and to educate our community to help end suicide. Our vision is to build a community where suicide, self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance. For information, please visit our website at http://MedfieldCSP.org.

The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention is an initiative of the Medfield Foundation Inc.

For information or to donate, visit http://medfieldfoundation.org.

Chelsea Goldstein-Walsh, Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention