Aging is not linear; what you believe matters

Aging is not linear; what you believe matters

"Nearly half of adults over 65 got physically or cognitively better over 12 years. The thing that predicted who did so had nothing to do with genetics, exercise, or education. It was what they believed about getting older.

📄 Levy, B.R. & Slade, M.D. (2026). Aging Redefined: Cognitive and Physical Improvement with Positive Age Beliefs. Geriatrics."

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVykVnrgPx7/

Have you tried the Box Breathing Technique ?? great advice via SAFE Coalition !!!

Each week, a SAFE Licensed Clinical Social Worker answers questions about mental health, substance use recovery, wellness, and more.

Check out this week’s Q&A!

Q: What are some strategies for managing stress at work or school?

A: Some strategies can help calm our bodies (box breathing) while other strategies are more helpful for calming our minds (writing down to-do lists).

Box breathing can help you refocus. For 5 seconds each: inhale, hold, and then exhale. Repeat.

When feeling overwhelmed by your workload, try physically writing down a to-do list. This tool will help you see what needs prioritized, and then you can break those tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.

Be sure to cross them off your list after you tackle them!

Have you tried the Box Breathing Technique ??   great advice via SAFE Coalition  !!!

-----------------------------

Submit questions and view past answers at: https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ask-safe

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVg8kxnFLvF/

SAFE Coalition: Back to Life - Youth Theater Project Starting this April

Back to Life: Youth Theater Project Starting this April

Back to Life - Youth Theater Project Starting this April

Date: Thursdays, April 2–May 7, 2026

Time: 3:00–5:00 p.m.

Location: SAFE Adolescent Wellness Center (Franklin)

Ages: 13–18

This spring, SAFE is partnering with Drug Story Theater to bring a powerful new program to the Adolescent Wellness Center.

Back to Life: Youth Theater Project is a free, 6-week theater program for teens ages 13–18. Starting April 2, participants will meet weekly to rehearse and perform an original play that tackles some of the hardest conversations facing young people today: substance use, fentanyl contamination, friendship, and asking for help.

Whether a teen wants to be center stage or help behind the scenes with lighting, sound, or set design, there's a place for them in this program. No theater experience is needed!

The series wraps up with a public performance on May 7, followed by a community talkback with Dr. Joseph Shrand, a nationally recognized expert in adolescent addiction. It's an opportunity for teens to not only express themselves creatively, but to become real educators in their communities, helping audiences understand overdose prevention and destigmatizing the use of Narcan.

If you know a teen who would benefit from this program, we'd love for you to share it with them. Registration is open now - https://www.safecoalitionma.org/get-support/youth-theater-project?blm_aid=465921

Back to Life: Youth Theater Project is made possible by the generous support of Mass Cultural Council, Lawson Charitable Foundation, and Community Health Systems Foundation.

Franklin Police Complete Annual Mental Health Training

Via Franklin Police Dept:

Franklin Police Complete Annual Mental Health Training

Today (2/12/26), the Department concluded its annual Mental Health Training, led by the head of our Co-Response Program, Clinician Kallie Montagano.

Officers received continued instruction on the Section 12 process and had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers representing Tri-Valley Elder Services, Foundations Group Recovery Centers, and the Department of Children and Families.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1A76QcE2Bm/

"A two-week digital detox reversed 10 years of attention decline"

vis Steve Magness

"A two-week digital detox reversed 10 years of attention decline (Castelo et al, 2025). A one-week social media break cut depression by 25% and anxiety by 16%, effects rivaling clinical therapy. And after just 72 hours without a phone, brain scans showed the reward centers were still firing at smartphone cues—even when people swore they felt fine (Schmitgen et al., Computers in Human Behavior, 2025).

We're running on the same dopamine and serotonin pathways as substance addiction. The only difference? The substance is in your pocket 16 hours a day.

Be intentional on how you're handling social media. Yes, I get the irony of this being posted on here. But to me, that's the point. We need to figure out how to have better relationships with this stuff. And that starts with knowledge ... and then taking small actions."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DUf8f9PDSt4/

Safe online standards introduced by the Mental Health Coalition

Safe online standards introduced by the Mental Health Coalition

From the Mental Health Coalition comes:

Introducing Safe Online Standards (S.O.S.), a first-of-its-kind framework to ensure safer digital spaces for young people.

Learn more: safeonlinestandards.org

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUlOZN1imkS/

The Guardian: "What to know about the jury trials of Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube"

"Social media companies will have to answer to a jury – for the first time – for allegations that their products are intentionally addictive and harmful to young users’ mental health. Hundreds of parents, teens and school districts sued Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube, leading to a series of landmark trials that began this week. Jury selection in the first case started on Tuesday in Los Angeles court.

Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg is among the big tech CEOs who are expected to testify. Both sides are likely to bring in experts to hash out the science behind alleged addiction to social media.

Social media companies
will have to answer to a jury

The initial trial involves a 20-year-old, identified by the initials KGM, who alleges she experienced physical and emotional harm after becoming addicted to social media at age 10. This case is expected to last six to eight weeks, and will be the first of about 22 “bellwether” trials. The outcome can signal, and influence, how courts and juries may handle similar lawsuits in the future. Snap and TikTok have settled with the plaintiff in the first case, leaving Meta and YouTube to stand trial.

“Everybody’s looking at it as a data point,” said Benjamin Zipursky, a law professor at Fordham University."

Continue reading the article with this 'share' link

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/31/what-to-know-trials-meta-snap-tiktok-youtube?CMP=share_btn_url 

FHS Active Minds showing support for FHS Girls Basketball Friday, Jan 16

FHS Active Minds showing support for
FHS Girls Basketball Friday, Jan 16

via FHS Active Minds

ACTIVE MINDS X GIRLS BASKETBALL game Friday!!

Join us at a mental health themed basketball game.

Show your support by wearing green!

See you all there :)

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DTbVw27DodL/

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?

We're going to the archives to bring forward a number of key items to share to help folks who are newly engaged to help understand the overall processes of Town of Franklin government in action.

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (audio) (2018)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-audio.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (video) (2019)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-video.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - budget cycle (audio) (2022)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-budget.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - Finance Update (audio) (Dec 2024)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/kerri-jana-share-finance-town-school.html

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio) (August 2021)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-water-system.html

Town of Franklin: All about the sewer system, yes we have capacity for growth (audio) (2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-sewer-system.html

Town of Franklin Water & Sewer projects update (audio) (Oct 2025)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/doug-jake-provide-updates-on-sewer.html

Franklin For All housing & zoning podcast series (audio) (2022-2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html

*** Finance Committee "Deep Dive" series

Technology, Dec 2025

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/finance-committee-gets-answer-on-how.html

Capital budget FY 2024 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/finance-committee-reviews-and-approves.html

Facilities, Dec 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/finance-committee-takes-deep-dive-sorta_01138495076.html

Permitting & storm water credits Feb 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/finance-committee-hears-from-town.html

Schools, Dec 2022 (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html

Schools, Dec 2022 (Video) 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-to-better.html 

Storm water utility fee March 2022

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/your-time-is-needed-now-to-pay.html

"Talk Franklin" series on individual departments/services

• Town Clerk on elections - Jan 2024 ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/nancy-danello-joins-this-talk-franklin.html
• DPW operations - Feb 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-we-talk.html
• School budget with Supt Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers - April 2024 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-some.html
• Conservation & Recreation - April 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/earth-day-earth-month-conversation-with.html
• Mental health services (co-response program) - May 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/we-spent-our-talk-franklin-time-on.html
• School & Town budget leading into the Joint Budget sessions -> Sep 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/jamie-lucas-talk-town-and-school-topics.html
• Arts, culture & economic development Oct 2024 ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/talking-franklin-arts-culture-economic.html
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen takes on some myth busting  Nov 2024 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-jamie.html 
• 2024 Year in Review with Jamie & Amy ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-jamie.html

You can also check out the department segments shared from each of the Annual Reports. While much of the report sections tout the stats for that department's activity in the prior year, they also get into some detail on what is done and how it is done. 

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?

Kuehnel Psychological Services supporting youth, parents, families & very concerned about screen time (audio)

FM #1609 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1609 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Dr. Carolyn Kuehnel and Dr. Cindy Ballou. We had our conversation in their office in downtown Franklin on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. 

Dr Carolyn Kuehnel is the owner of Kuehnel Psychological Services, PLLC.

In the course of our discussion we covered

• 

  Kuehnel Psychological Services

  Their individual road to this role

• The services they provide

• Supporting parents and families

• The need for a community approach

• The dangers of screen time

The recording runs about 59 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Carolyn and Cindy.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1609-kuehnel-psychology-12-09-25/

--------------

Kuehnel Psychological Services  https://kuehnelpsych.com/ 

The Wait Until 8th organization website ->  https://www.waituntil8th.org/ 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FHS Unified basketball fundraiser Monday, Nov 24 to raise money for KyleCares

FHS Unified basketball fundraiser Monday, Nov 24
to raise money for KyleCares

via FHS ActiveMinds:

"We are SO excited to be partnering with @fhsunified basketball for their charity game to raise money for KyleCares!

We hope you can join us on November 24 at FHS at 6:30 PM! Wear your green!!!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ7pq8uDmIw/

You can find out more about KyleCares on their page ->  https://kylecaresinc.org/

A Webinar on the need of the hour: Mental Health and Well-Being hosted by KP Sompally (video)

Mental health is just as important as physical health — yet it’s often overlooked.

Today, let’s take a moment to understand, to listen, and to break the silence surrounding mental well-being. We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. 

In this video, we’ll explore what mental health really means, why it matters, and how we can take small steps to care for it every day. More people than ever are struggling with stress, anxiety, and depression. 

A Webinar on the need of the hour: Mental Health
and Well-Being hosted by KP Sompally (video)

Together, we can change the way we talk about mental health — and create a world where asking for help is a sign of strength.

Don’t miss this insightful webinar presented by Reis Hansen, Licensed Therapist and Clinical Social Worker, and hosted by KP Sompally, School Committee Member.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywSNVfL8jNA

Mental Health & Well Being Webinar (video)

As the world embraces the rapid rise of AI across many fields, will AI replace therapists? 

Franklin High School Graduate and current senior at UMass Amherst Dash Papineni shares his insight on mental health and wellness in a discussion hosted by School Committee member KP Sompally

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfO0TEUeRzo

Mental Health: Mithun Pasham (video)

Dr Anne Bergen: 

"Welcome to Mental Health, the crisis of our time. 

My name is Anne Bergen. I am the host of this series of programs brought to you by Franklin TV whose mission is really to bring important topics relevant to the community out so we can inform the residents aware of issues that are very very important. 

The issue we have to address is mental health."

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0iVT8hq5o

Dr Anne Bergen, Mithun Pasham

Chad Hollister & Premo perform in the Franklin TV Studio (video)

Jim Derick, SAFE Coalition, welcomes Chad Hollister and Premo to the Studio for live performances along with a conversation.

Chad Hollister & Premo perform in the Franklin TV Studio (video)

Video link ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXY5gQTcnpw

For more about Chad Hollister and his band visit -> https://chadmusic.com/

Franklin Resident to Attempt Record-Breaking Ultra Trail Run to Support SAFE Coalition

Franklin resident James Flannery will attempt a record-breaking 100-mile run across the northernmost leg of the Appalachian Trail on June 20, 2025, to raise awareness and support for mental health. Fundraising proceeds will support Franklin area nonprofit SAFE Coalition.

“The goal for me is to make it end to end, raise money for SAFE, and have a good day,” says Flannery. 

James Flannery

Known as the “Hundred-Mile Wilderness,” the leg runs from Monson to Abol Bridge in Maine and is considered the most remote and rugged part of the entire Appalachian Trail with a total elevation gain of 18,000 feet. The trail often takes hikers 8–12 days to complete. Flannery plans to traverse it in under 30 hours.

“It’s about stepping into the unknown,” Flannery says of why he’s drawn to the challenges of distance trail running. “I like not knowing how my mind and body are going to respond. You get to the second 50 miles, that part you’ve never done before, and you think, ‘This is new, this is fun.’ I could definitely go out for a 30-mile run with friends and it would be a good time. But there’s no mystery, no butterflies in my stomach. The unknown is what does it for me.”

What he calls his “B-goal” is to achieve a Fastest Known Time, or FKT, on the course. The current FKT for the Hundred-Mile Trail is 29.5 hours nonstop. “If I have a remarkable day, an FKT might be a cherry on top,” he says. 

Adding to the challenge, Flannery is planning a rare southbound route, taking him across the trail's highest elevation gains in the second half of the race. “The first 50 [miles] will be kind of casual,” he says, laughing. “Then, I’ll have enough in the tank to do the mountainous sections. That’s more exciting for me.”

An active trail hiker, trail runner, and ultramarathoner, Flannery has “yoyo hiked” the 272-mile Long Trail in Vermont, summited 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado, and hiked the Hundred Mile Wilderness route. 

“I used to take longer trips, but I don’t have the time to take one to two months here and there anymore,” Flannery says. “Trail running packs the same bit of adventure into just one to two days.”

Beyond the personal challenge, Flannery is committed to raising mental health awareness and increasing access to resources. As such, he chose to fundraise for SAFE’s support services like teen programming, support groups, one-on-one counseling, and more, which are all available at no cost.

Franklin Resident to Attempt Record-Breaking Ultra Trail Run to Support SAFE Coalition

Flannery knows of SAFE’s work from the support his loved ones have received. “As someone who has struggled with mental health at times myself, I can definitely see why SAFE’s work is helpful to folks,” says Flannery. “I am inspired to help the cause, and I don’t have a ton of money to donate. But I can do this adventure run and raise money, and I hope it will be as helpful.”

Knowing his love of nature often buoys him, his route will put him at the summit at daybreak to watch the sun rise over Mt. Katahdin before he faces the final 50 miles of his journey. “This way, I’ll be hitting the mountains, maybe struggling, and the sun will be breaking on the horizon,” he says. “It should be enough to keep me going.”

Learn more about James Flannery’s run and cheer him on at https://www.safecoalitionma.org/100run or text 100run to 50155. SAFE can be contacted at info@safecoalitionma.org or (508) 488-8105. 

We’d love your input on community needs related to substance use & mental health

Dear SAFE community, 

We want to hear from you! 

We're collecting input on the opioid crisis in Massachusetts and how to address it. Your crucial feedback informs us on the needs of the community and helps SAFE provide direct support related to mental health and substance use—all at no cost! 

Take the survey

Any identifying information provided to SAFE on this survey will be kept confidential. 

Thank you for your time and for helping us make a difference!

Warmly,

SAFE