Front Line Initiative and Billerica Police Take Part in Billerica Health & Wellness’ Family Well-Being Festival
BILLERICA — Executive Director Matthew Page-Shelton and Chief Roy Frost are pleased to report that Front Line Initiative and Billerica Police Department participated in Billerica Wellness’ Family Well-Being Festival.
Held on the front lawn of the Billerica Council on Aging on a warm and sunny afternoon last month, the festival included 30 vendors who provide mental health and well-being related services, as well as town agencies and organizations, such as Billerica Substance Awareness Prevention, and the Billerica Community Pantry.
Local organizations including the Greater Lowell Health Alliance, Lowell General Hospital Behavioral Health, and Therapy Dog International were also on hand.
Entertainment included face painting, a balloon artist, and live music.
The festival was organized by Billerica Health and Wellness, with Front Line Initiative serving as a lead sponsor.
The event was aimed at not only providing connections to important services, but also at facilitating conversations about well being and mental health and reducing stigma surrounding mental health.
“Sponsoring events like this are a major part of the Front Line’s mission in breaking the silence on mental well-being and finding creative, engaging ways of having these conversations in the communities we serve,” said Director Page-Shelton. “This event was an opportunity to engage the community of Billerica in a family friendly way and we were honored to take part.”
“This community has worked diligently to face the challenges and realities of mental illness head on. Using a collaborative approach with assistance from the Front Line Initiative, the Billerica town government has engaged on multiple levels to train staff on recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness. This preparation has allowed your local government to better align its resources for the overall health of the community,” said Chief Frost. “Today your Police officers are better trained and equipped to safely respond to the daily challenges presented in modern policing”
To access online behavioral health and substance misuse disorder resources compiled by the Front Line Initiative, developed in partnership with CredibleMind, click here.
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- A young man smiles after getting a balloon animal Pikachu from an artist at the Billerica Family Well-Being Festival. (Photo Courtesy Front Line Initiative)
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- A sketch artist works on a portrait of a young woman at the Well-Being Festival. (Photo Courtesy Front Line Initiative)
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- From left, Billerica Police Deputy Chief Gerald Roche stands with Nico Simao, Maria Ruggiero, Rachel Beers and Maria Zaroulis from the Front Line Initiative. (Photo Courtesy Front Line Initiative)
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- Billerica Police Deputy Chief Gerald Roche converses with staff from the Billerica Community Pantry. (Photo Courtesy Front Line Initiative)
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- One of over 30 vendors who participated in the Well-Being Festival to provide connections to resources in the area. (Photo Courtesy Front Line Initiative)
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- Michael P. Chasse and Dave Zox, from the band Brilliant Corners, played live music to entertain those attending the festival. (Photo Courtesy Front Line Initiative)
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- Several residents converse with a staff member from Billerica Substance Awareness Prevention. (Photo Courtesy Front Line Initiative)
