By Kyle Dante

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted several aspects of daily life. Workplaces are either understaffed or out of business. The workforce, as well as education, is hurting from the effects of the pandemic. For many, healthcare is difficult to access. Generally speaking, it is a transition for not only Somerville but the world itself.

How is Somerville working to improve community mental health issues brought on by the pandemic? How is the Public Health Committee assisting Somerville residents in their potential Covid problems? Lastly, can the momentum continue in reaching for “normalcy?”

Addressing the mental health crisis is Neighborhood Counseling and Community Services (NCCS). Founded in 2015, NCCS has 208 clients but is severely understaffed. Among the demographic, fifty-eight of the 147 Somerville residents registered are children, with several on a waiting list. Mental health assistance was lacking pre-pandemic. With the impact of Covid-19, getting help has been even more problematic.

When referring to the history of mental health, consider the following timeline. The late John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act in 1963. In 1964, Somerville founded its Mental Health Association (SMHA) between parents, the school administration, and mental health managers. But between 2009 to 2011, Massachusetts’ Department of Mental Health suffered a $5 million budget cut. By 2012, SMHA combined with the Community Care of Riverdale.

Further cuts continued into 2015, when more than 97% of Massachusetts-funded inpatient psychiatric beds were financially cut out. Not to mention the continued cuts to mental health treatment in prisons; 12% of prisons between 2001 to 2016 saw an 8% cut of mental health funding. This resulted in an increase in depression and anxiety in that group. That was made worse, ultimately, with the Covid-19 pandemic limiting available assistance.

NCCS is one of the few mental health agencies accessible to all Somerville residents. They possess varying insurances, along with availability, for clients. The clinicians are of diverse backgrounds and will take at least one pro-bono (free or lower cost) client, minimum, with a higher budget. Ideally, it is open to all and specialized accordingly on the client’s background.

As for combatting Covid-19, Somerville has had a few initiatives since December. The city’s pharmacies engage in large distributions of free KN masks for customers. In total, pharmacies give up to three KN masks per visit to their customers. This, in part, is due to the previously non-surgical masks being ineffective against the now prominent Omicron variant.

Additionally, people can order Covid-19 rapid test kits through the U.S. postal service. Up to two orders can be made for eight (previously four) tests per person. Another PCR location has opened on Washington St., the highest positive area hit by the wave. Rapid tests are continually ordered as well. Thankfully, the demand for testing is not as prominent. The options remain available, however, if necessary.

On the decision made by the City Council, NCCS has additional discussion scheduled for a later date. As far as Covid-19 waves are concerned, communication continues as the waves recede. As a result, it will keep citizens in the know on their next steps.

For more information on enrollment in NCCS, go to Neighborhood Counseling and Community Services at: https://www.neighborhoodcounselingservices.org.

Also, continue to check the City of Somerville’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources page at https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-resources.