Presenters - Berschback and Harris

Our speakers on September 25th were Suzy Berschback, Beaumont Healthy Communities Manager, and Mary Jo Harris, Community Organizer of CARE of Southeastern Michigan.
 
Healthy Communities is a place-based initiative that encourages residents to lead healthier lives and emphasizes a shared responsibility for community health, while encouraging residents to take active roles in their own health.
 
The GP/Harper Woods branch is the 5th Beaumont Healthy Community.  Volunteers meet monthly to offer ideas about partnering with existing activities to help them grow.  This includes walking, running, and biking groups as well as community partners.  In addition to being healthier, being active helps fight isolation and loneliness. 
 
CARE’s mission is is to strengthen resiliency in people and their communities through prevention, education, and servies that improve the quality of life.  Ms. Harris works on mental health awareness and a substance abuse prevention task force.  Three areas of focus: (1) Reduce teen addiction to vaping and alcohol through school presentations. (2) Reduce opiod related deaths by providing Narcan and having drug take-back days.  (3) Work on fighting the stigma of mental health and suicide prevention by partnering with ogranizations like the Family Center and Kevin’s Song.