BHN was voted the best outpatient mental health service by Valley Advocate readers! Congratulations and thank you to our dedicated team who make this possible by providing support and guidance that helps individuals make positive changes and live fulfilling lives every day! Check out the complete list of winners.
A recent story on NBC10 Boston featured Michelle Jackson, a Recovery Coach Supervisor at BHN. The story highlights the important role Mass drug courts play in helping individuals dealing with mental health and substance abuse disorders, which can often lead to persistent criminal behavior.
The winter months are upon us, and with that can bring changes not just in the weather, but in mood as well. Martha Klaczak LMHC, LADC I, Adult Program Director at BHN WellBeing in Westfield, and Frank Shea, LMHC, Program Director at Agawam Counseling Center, discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and its effects.
SAD is a form of depression linked to seasonal changes that typically starts and ends around the same time every year. Most people with SAD experience symptoms that begin in the fall and continue into the winter months. When the days get shorter, less sunlight means less vitamin D intake, which reduces serotonin. The further north you go, the shorter the winter days are. Conversely, says Shea, “If you were to live in a place such as Mexico or Central America, the odds of having SAD would be much less because the sunlight [there] doesn’t fluctuate as much.”
For many, the holidays are a time of tremendous joy, getting together with family and friends. However, for some the holidays can be a time of anxiety and stress. Managing these emotions can be difficult, but there are healthy ways to cope with less-than-ideal situations.
BHN was voted the best outpatient mental health service by Valley Advocate readers! Congratulations and thank you to our dedicated team who make this possible by providing support and guidance that helps individuals make positive changes and live fulfilling lives every day! Check out the complete list of winners.
A recent story on NBC10 Boston featured Michelle Jackson, a Recovery Coach Supervisor at BHN. The story highlights the important role Mass drug courts play in helping individuals dealing with mental health and substance abuse disorders, which can often lead to persistent criminal behavior.
The winter months are upon us, and with that can bring changes not just in the weather, but in mood as well. Martha Klaczak LMHC, LADC I, Adult Program Director at BHN WellBeing in Westfield, and Frank Shea, LMHC, Program Director at Agawam Counseling Center, discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and its effects.
SAD is a form of depression linked to seasonal changes that typically starts and ends around the same time every year. Most people with SAD experience symptoms that begin in the fall and continue into the winter months. When the days get shorter, less sunlight means less vitamin D intake, which reduces serotonin. The further north you go, the shorter the winter days are. Conversely, says Shea, “If you were to live in a place such as Mexico or Central America, the odds of having SAD would be much less because the sunlight [there] doesn’t fluctuate as much.”
BHN was voted the best outpatient mental health service by Valley Advocate readers! Congratulations and thank you to our dedicated team who make this possible by providing support and guidance that helps individuals make positive changes and live fulfilling lives every day! Check out the complete list of winners.
A recent story on NBC10 Boston featured Michelle Jackson, a Recovery Coach Supervisor at BHN. The story highlights the important role Mass drug courts play in helping individuals dealing with mental health and substance abuse disorders, which can often lead to persistent criminal behavior.
Paul Kuc was recently honored with the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce Community Hero Award.
Laughter, music, and performances filled the air as Kamp for Kids kicked off its 50th summer season with the annual Welcome Day celebration held today at Camp Togowauk in Westfield. Families, staff, elected officials, funders, and community members gathered to honor the legacy of a camp that has welcomed children and y
Since 2008, July has been recognized as Minority Mental Health Month, a time to center the voices and experiences of People of Color in conversations about mental health. While we fully support this recognition at BHN, our social justice lens also encourages us to rethink the term “Minority” as one which diminishes and
Disability Pride Month is observed annually in July, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990.Disability Pride Month is observed annually in July, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. This landmark civil rights legislatio
We’re proud to share that Anthia Elliott, Program Director for BHN’s Domestic Violence & P.A.T.C.H. Services, was recently honored with the 2025 Leadership and Legacy Award by the Massachusetts Women of Color Network (MAWOCN) at their 8th Annual Conference, The Superhero Effect. This award recognizes a woman of color working in the sexual and domestic violence field who demonstrates exceptional leadership and a long-term commitment to community impact. Anthia’s work at BHN has consistently reflected those values. Through her advocacy, leadership, and dedication to survivors, she has made a meaningful difference—not only within BHN but across the broader antiviolence movement. Her presence in leadership spaces, especially during difficult conversations, has been marked by courage, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities she serves. MAWOCN recognized her for her “unwavering commitment to transformative leadership” and the legacy she continues to build through her work.
We are honored to share that Behavioral Health Network has received the 2025 Workforce Development Leadership Award from the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board at their annual meeting on June 5th.
This recognition highlights a project created in response to a growing workforce crisis in behavioral health. Rising demand for mental health and substance use services - especially in rural areas - has outpaced the supply of trained professionals, leaving too many without timely access to care.
