This speaker series brought a range of experts to the Gloucester community to speak to (and with) adult community members and students. They provided expertise and advice in the areas of mental health and substance use prevention. This program was sponsored by the City of Gloucester Health Department and the City of Gloucester Public Schools.
Past Speakers
Kaleb Joseph
Kaleb Joseph spoke to student athletes and parents on March 11, 2025 at Gloucester High School.
Kaleb Joseph uses his experience as a former college athlete overcoming substance use and mental health challenges and building resiliency with the support of fellow athletes.
Jodi Gilman
Dr. Jodi Gilman is an Associate Professor Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Neuroscience at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Addiction Medicine. On November 20, 2024 at 5:30 p.m., Dr. Gilman gave a talk at the Rockport Public Library, entitled “Cannabis Use and Youth: Impact on Brain, Mental Health, and Academic Performance.” The focus of the talk was on how there is a great deal of misinformation and denial about the actual harmful effects of cannabis, and in particular on young people’s brain development and social and emotional health. Her presentation to community members was videotaped by 1623 studios and is available to watch on Youtube.
Jodi Gilman presentation on 11.20.24 at the Rockport Public Library- “Do You Know The Real Risks of Marijuana and Cannabis on Young People?”
Devorah Heitner
Devorah Heitner is the author of Screenwise and Growing up in Public. Devorah shared with parents and community members her message of how to help tweens and teens navigate boundaries, identity, privacy, and reputation while growing up in the new digital world. She helped them learn how to help their kids manage group texts, social media and how to navigate body image, sleep, and safe boundaries in a hyper-connected world. Her Presentation was at Gloucester High School on September 19th, 2024
Kathi and Chris Sullivan
Kathi Sullivan began to speak about substance use, alcohol awareness, mental health, parental responsibility, and the importance of making good choices after her daughter, Taylor, passed away in 2009 after attending a series of underage drinking parties. Her husband, Chris Sullivan, was a New England Patriot and won a super bowl with the team. His untreated struggles with anxiety and depression led him down a path of dangerous and destructive substance abuse that prematurely ended his football career. Kathi and Chris spoke to students, faculty, parents and community members in 3 presentations on May 1st., 2024, at the O’Maley Middle School and Gloucester High School. They shared these powerful messages of loss and recovery to inspire young people and adults to promote mental health, wellness, and alcohol use prevention and parental responsibility.
Stuart Ablon, Ph.D
Stuart Ablon, author of “Change-able,” and “The School Discipline Fix: Changing Behavior Using the Collaborative Problem Solving Approach” presented a talk entitled “Introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving.” This strategy is an innovative, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach to understanding and helping kids with behavior challenges. He addressed the causes of challenging behavior among children and adolescents and specific ways that adults can respond to positively change interactions and outcomes. He spoke at the O’Maley Middle School Auditorium on March 28, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Ablon’s talk focused on using the Collaborative Problem Solving approach to involve children in coming up with solutions.
Sarah Ward
Sarah Ward teaches adults and children of all ages how to manage their space, time , and materials and also how to keep their emotions in check. Her presentation focused on learning powerful strategies to help children develop independent executive function skills. She spoke at the O’Maley Middle School auditorium on February 6th, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
Lynn Lyons
Lynn Lyons is a psychotherapist, author and speaker in private practice for over 30 years, and specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children.
She travels globally as a speaker and trainer on the subject of anxiety, its role in families, and the need for a preventative approach at home and in schools.
