ABOUT HEADS UP!
Summary History: Following reports of deaths by suicide, a group of concerned adults and loss survivors met with school officials to plan a community-wide forum to help the Hatfield community identify risks for suicide, support those who grieve, and provide resources for families. A panel of local experts presented this information to over 75 participants in June, 2016 From this initial forum, nine individuals expressed an interest in continuing community efforts and formed a task group to move forward.
HEADS Up (Hatfield Embraces Acceptance and Dismantles Stigma) is a group made up of Hatfield parents, community members, School and town Representatives, Clergy and Police. We are working in order to have Hatfield become a model community committed to educating, liberating, and protecting the mental health of all of its members.
Beyond Gun Laws: A Conversation about Keeping Our Community Safe
Premiered Feb 19, 2020 https://youtu.be/lMIvBGJEW9M
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan moderated a panel discussion on the ramifications of school violence, the impact of school shooting drills on students, how schools and parents can help young people cope with regular school shooter drills and fear the of violence, the status of gun related legislation in Massachusetts and, how communities can balance gun rights with community safety.
Panelists included:
State Sen. Jo Comerford
State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
Josh Miller, Smith College School for Social Work professor, specializes in helping individuals and communities recover from disasters, war, and violence and has responded to national tragedies including the Boston Marathon bombing and the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut
Hatfield Police Chief Michael Dekoschak
Heather White, MA Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Smith Academy student Ava Carter-Meo, on the impact of school shooter drills
Keynote Speaker: Anne Thalheimer is a survivor of a 1992 school shooting at Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington. A Holyoke-based artist, educator, and 2017 Everytown Survivor Fellow, she is one of 40 people from across the United States to be part of a flagship leadership program for survivors of gun violence in recognition that survivor voices are critical to raising awareness. Everytown Fellows work on education and legislative advocacy.
2020- 2021 Year in Review
September 2020 We started a relationship with HEART (Hatfield Equity Alliance fighting Racism Together)
October 2020 Sponsored a local Hatfield resident in the Out of the Darkness Walk
February 2021 Presentation to the Hatfield Book Club
March 2021 Created and distributed Goody Bags for the SA Class of 2021 that included HEADS Up Stress balls
April 2021 We purchased a HEADS Up Banner.
May 2021 WALKAPALOOZA for Children’s Mental Health Week.
June 2021 Together with HEART we had a float in the Hatfield 350th Parade.
Summer 2021 Revised our anti-racism statement to be broader and include the many groups that are discriminated against.
September 2021 Presentation to the Hatfield School Committee
October 2021 Remote presentation of the documentary “Upstanders” followed by a discussion with Bonnie Atkins DBT Director with Servicenet. A raffle was part of this event.