SWAMPSCOTT — The Swampscott Health Department’s new podcast, “Local Public Health: Conversations exploring public health on the North Shore in Massachusetts and Beyond,” featured a special guest who relayed their experiences with addiction, recovery and mental health.
Michelle Simons currently serves as program contractor and program support specialist with Swampscott Health Department’s Opioid Settlement Funds. But she’s also been in long-term recovery. In the podcast’s first two episodes, she shared personal stories of growth and struggle and offered support to anyone who may relate.
The Health Dept.’s podcast consists of short, insightful episodes that help people learn more about mental health and its effects at the state, national and global level. Simons is the first featured guest on the department’s podcast. The host, Olivia Wilson, is a graduate student at Boston University’s School of Public Health.
In episode five, Simons encourages listeners who might relate to her experience to “hang on” because hope is right around the corner for those who need it. Episode six features Simmons explaining her work at the Health Dept. as she ”hopes to connect people to the resources that will be the most helpful,” the press release said.
“We are thankful to Michelle for being the first guest speaker on our podcast, and for sharing her inspiring story of hope and recovery, as well as her vital work providing prevention, recovery, and community support to our residents and loved ones,” Public Health Nurse for the Swampscott Health Dept. Neia Illingworth said.
