Compiled by Debra Scherban. Please send items to dscherban@gazettenet.com.
A new support group for Latinas and immigrants who have experienced domestic violence begins Thursday at Safe Passage, 43 Center St., Northampton.
The group, which will be held every Thursday at 6 p.m.,offers women an opportunity to talk in a comfortable, confidential atmosphere.
Safe Passage in a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing support to survivors of domestic abuse. It also offers one-on-one counseling, emergency shelter and help with legal advocacy.
Services are available in English and Spanish and are accessible to people with disabilities.
For more information about the group or programs at Safe Passage, call Sonia Batlle at 536-1125 Ext. 13 or email, sonia@safepass.org.
Cooley Dickinson Health Care is co-sponsoring a Mental Health Policy Breakfast with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Friday, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St.
The event is free and open to the public.
Breakfast will precede presentations by groups including Starlight, the Recovery Learning Center and the western Mass. chapter of NAMI; a panel discussion featuring state and federal perspectives on mental health care; and a question-and-answer session.
Massachusetts Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, State Rep. Peter Kocot, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Director Julie Schwager, Western Mass. NAMI representative Ella Smolenski, Cooley Dickinson Integrated Behavioral Health Medical Director Dr. Peter Halperin and staff from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office will be participating.
Topics will include parity; breaking down stigma; future policy directions and relevant changes to the Affordable Care Act.
Mental health advocates will also discuss advocacy efforts.
For more information, go to https://www.cooleydickinson.org/events/mental-health-policy-breakfast/ or contact Jeff Harness, Director of Community Health/Government Relations, Cooley Dickinson Health Care at 582-2035 or at jharness@cooleydickinson.org.
A program exploring the increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer among Jewish people will be held May 24, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Temple Beth El Social Hall, 979 Dickinson St. Springfield. It is free and open to the public.
It is sponsored by Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts and the Family Cancer Risk Program of Baystate Medical Center.
One in 40 Ashkenazi Jews — men and women — carries a BRCA gene mutation, nearly 10 times the rate of the general population. Recent studies show that Sephardic Jews may also be genetically predisposed to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Discussion will include when to go for genetic testing, family history, options for treatment, emotional consequences and insurance concerns. National resources will be available and time will be set aside for questions and answers with experts. Light refreshments will be served.
To pre-register: email info@jfswm.org or call 737.2601.
Visit www.jfswm.org for more information about JFS programs and services.
Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., University of Massachusetts Student Union, 41 Campus Center Way, Amherst
Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wingate at South Hadley, 573 Granby Road, South Hadley
May 22, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., University of Massachusetts Student Union, 41 Campus Center Way, Amherst
May 22, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Our Savior’s Lutheran, 319 Granby Road, South Hadley