Health - Marblehead Current

22 Dec

Holidays can bring anxiety: How to get the most out of therapy

Marie Oullette, LICSWColumns, Health, Local News

For more than five decades, Marblehead Counseling Center has been providing direct services to individuals and families in the town of Marblehead and our surrounding communities. But as the number of people turning to therapeutic interventions continues to surge, it’s more important than ever for clients to know how to get the most from their therapy sessions. Clients get out of therapy what they put into it. At MCC, we’ve found you really can prepare for success with some simple strategies. Step one for patients…

22 Dec

News in brief: Week of Dec. 22

Leigh BlanderBusiness, Community Service, Health, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to its News in Brief section. Send yours to info@marbleheadnews.org. Goodwin extradited to Florida Marblehead resident and founder of defunct travel company Stone & Compass arrived in Florida on Dec. 18 to face charges that he defrauded more than 100 Daytona Beach high school students and chaperones out of about $400,000. Goodwin is being held on a $4 million bond. BLOOM for mental health The town of Marblehead is partnering with BLOOM, which offers free, confidential and personalized support…

17 Dec

What to know about cannabis use in adolescence

Tom Massaro, MD, Ph.DColumns, Health, Opinion

There has been a great deal of discussion about the use of alcohol by adolescents recently. It is great that the town is talking about these things, but alcohol is not the only potentially addictive substance that is available for adolescents to use today. The use of cannabis-related substances is growing rapidly, and cannabis may pass alcohol as the substance of choice for many young people in the near future. In doing the background research for this column, I became aware that public health professionals…

16 Dec

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets this week

Saoirse StallingsArt, Entertainment, Health, Local News

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email info@marbleheadnews.org. Winter Candle Workshop at Abbot LibraryThursday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m. Back by popular demand! Come to Abbot Library to make winter-inspired, scented candles with soy wax and essential oils. Adults and teens are welcome. Space is limited, and registration is required at tinyurl.com/winter-candle. Lighthouse Fitness Studio: Country Line Dance with KateThursday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m. Wear your boots and a country hat for this 90-minute line…

11 Dec

Health board member urges explicit support for police enforcing underage drinking laws

Akanksha GoyalHealth, Top Stories

At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Board of Health revisited the social hosting controversy that has dominated recent discussions about youth substance use, with member Tom McMahon urging a clear public declaration that police officers have full backing from town leadership when enforcing the laws against parents who allow underage drinking in their homes. McMahon told the board he recently spoke with Select Board Chair Dan Fox, describing the conversation as “very cordial.” While the two disagree on enforcement approaches, McMahon said they share the…

25 Nov

Health board member accuses Marblehead police chief of not enforcing social hosting laws, Select Board chair fires back

Leigh BlanderHealth, Top Stories

Speaking about the dangers of underage drinking in Marblehead, Board of Health member Tom McMahon accused Police Chief Dennis King of failing to enforce state and local social hosting laws that punish people who provide alcohol to minors in their residences. Under the law, police can issue citations and fines, which are then reported to the Town Clerk’s Office. "No fine has been issued related to these laws since 2017," McMahon said, echoing a statement made by School Committee member Jenn Schaeffner last week. "So,…

20 Nov

‘Tis the seaon … for holiday anxiety

Pamela Wheaton ShorrHealth, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Nine in 10 Americans say they’re stressed out about the holidays The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes a little extra bonus package: holiday anxiety. “Holiday anxiety is a very specific type of stress,” according to Marie Ouellette, LICSW, chief clinical officer at Marblehead Counseling Center, who notes that the very holiday traditions and celebrations meant to bring usjoy can also lead to enormous pressure. “The figures are staggering, with nearly 90% of adults saying they feel stress during the holiday season.” The…

17 Nov

Board of Health tops 2,600 survey responses, tackles underage drinking

Akanksha GoyalHealth, Top Stories

After weeks of urging residents to complete the town’s community wellness survey, the Board of Health said participation has surpassed 2,600 responses, and it outlined plans to build on that work through state funding at its Nov. 10 meeting. Board Chair Dr. Tom Massaro credited a recent CodeRED alert for boosting survey participation and said the board hoped to reach 2,500 responses before the survey closes Nov. 16. Hitting that mark, he said, would give the results “statistical legitimacy” to guide future public health efforts.…

12 Nov

Wellness survey tops 2,300 responses, BoH tackles underage drinking

Akanksha GoyalHealth, Top Stories

After weeks of urging residents to complete the town’s community wellness survey, the Board of Health said participation has surpassed 2,300 responses and outlined plans to build on that work through state funding at its Nov. 10 meeting. Board Chair Dr. Tom Massaro credited a recent CodeRED alert for boosting survey participation and said the board hopes to reach 2,500 responses before the survey closes Nov. 16. Hitting that mark, he said, would give the results “statistical legitimacy” to guide future public health efforts. BoH…

05 Nov

Merry Mixers launch new Patient in Need Fund to support local families

Saoirse StallingsCommunity Resources, Health, Local News

2025-2026 Merry Mixers BoardTop: Meaghan Walsh, Leigh Dixon, Milicent Armstrong Gault, Ali DeFisisco, Caroline Clark,Emily Katzman, Katie Leake, Carolyn PyburnMiddle: Jess Ingemi, Beth Melander, Amanda Jaffe, Amy Leamon, Catherine Malone, BariLiebermanBottom: Cailey McDonough, Ashley Wheeler, Stacey Kraft, Erin Spinucci COURTESY PHOTO / ASHLEY WHEELER For more than seven decades, the Merry Mixers have been raising funds to improve pediatric care at Mass General Brigham’s Salem Hospital. Now, the volunteer-driven nonprofit is expanding its impact with the creation of the Merry Mixers Pediatric Patient in Need…