Soon, all Marblehead residents and employees will have access to a new app that offers a wide-range of mental, emotional and physical health support — all for free from their phone.
Public Health Director Andrew Petty announced that the town is using $14,500 in opioid settlement funds to hire Bloom, a platform that provides therapy, crisis care, resources and more.
The Current contacted Bloom’s co-founder Joanne Mercaldi to learn more.
Current: What will Marblehead residents and employees have access to?
Mercaldi: With Bloom, Marblehead residents can access world-class experts, therapy and practical tools for mental health and overall well-being — anytime, anywhere. Residents have access to therapy, in-network psychiatry for all ages, expert-led resources 24/7 and personalized coaching for mental health, parenting, eldercare and holistic wellness. This month, we’re offering live workshops on grief and loss, relationships, bullying and financial wellness, along with our Family Connection Challenge to inspire meaningful moments at home.
Current: How does Bloom help communities?
Mercaldi: BLOOM takes a holistic approach by integrating mental and behavioral health, caregiving support and personal well-being into one easy-to-use platform. By combining education, expert resources and direct access to care, we help communities overcome barriers like cost, stigma and long wait times while improving outcomes. BLOOM collaborates with more than 350 leading experts, sharing trusted resources from organizations such as McLean Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital and Chopra Global.
Current: How many communities does Bloom serve?
Mercaldi: BLOOM currently supports multiple corporations and cities through their employee assistance programs and has expanded into entire communities by partnering with departments of public health. These leaders recognize the need to support residents holistically — beyond traditional care.
Mercaldi added, “We want Marblehead to know that BLOOM is here to be your partner in health. Backed by more than 350 world-class experts, our mission is to change health outcomes for you, your families and your community — helping you thrive both at home and at work.”
The city of Peabody hired Bloom after the recent suicide of a young student who had been bullied, Petty said. The program should begin in Marblehead Oct. 1.
