SWAMPSCOTT — The E.F. Gilmore Disabled American Veterans Post, which serves veterans from Lynn and Swampscott, will hold a summit at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss mental health issues affecting teens and veterans.
DAV Commander Jeffrey Blonder said the summit will be the first of its kind in Swampscott and will be held at Swampscott High School. Blonder said Congressman Seth Moulton, an Iraq War veteran, is expected to attend the summit virtually and speak about some of the mental health issues veterans face during and after their service.
“As veterans, we see gaps, and we try to fill those gaps,” Blonder said. “We’re trying to raise awareness for mental health. Of course, I’m interested in veterans, but as veterans, we’re also part of the community, and we know that teens are also being seriously affected by the mental health crisis right now… we’re banding together with teens and veterans to find common ground.”
The evening will feature a panel of experts, including Veterans Affairs and the Boston Vet Center representatives. Blonder said the panel will discuss suicide prevention and inform the public about the mental health resources available to veterans and civilians.
Blonder said the summit aims to provide both veterans and teenagers not only resources to cope with or treat mental illness but also a place to discuss mental illness openly and without shame or stigma.
“We’re not going to solve these problems, and we understand that,” Blonder said. “There are many ways community members could benefit from this summit, gaining general or specific information that is helpful to themselves, a friend or a community member. The days of stigmatizing mental health concerns are slowly melting behind us.”
In addition to the expert panel, Blonder said pamphlets will be distributed to inform people on where and how to get help. The summit will be free for anyone who wishes to attend.
