Behavioral Health Commission

About

Created in March 2021 with approval by City Council, the Behavioral Health Commission will focus on promotion, results-oriented alignment of services and programming to address behavioral health issues under the purview of the Medford Board of Health. The Promote, Prevention, Support Behavioral Health Commission will serve as an advisory body to promote behavioral health and wellness and set a overall strategic plan for the City of Medford. To that end, the commission will monitor and track data and programming as well as inform and make recommendations to city officials and policy makers about behavioral health data, issues, needs and efforts within the City.

Three community members fill the following positions:

• One (1) family or individual who has lived experience utilizing services within the behavioral health system.
• One (1) representative from the provider community
• One (1) resident with professional field expertise (medical, psychiatric, prevention or treatment)

Among its overall goals, Commissioners will work to:

• Work with community providers, residents, and those with lived experience to create results-oriented community services and programming to address behavioral health concerns;
• Support and build capacity to analyze and respond to substance use and mental health-related issues;
• Work with City departments to develop and/or support resources and programs to reduce rates of substance abuse and mental health issues within the community;
• Increase community participation in behavioral health program planning, development and improvement;
• Collect and use data to increase outreach and awareness.