Staff of the Corrigan Mental Health Center group homes take fitness very seriously, and every year for the past eight years, have encouraged every resident to achieve their best level of fitness. To celebrate this work, a relay race was again held on October 15, 2008, at the Bishop Connolly High School Track. "It's amazing how much people get inspired by the race," noted Corrigan Clinical Director Greg Cowan. Every participant receives a medal and heaps of praise from the staff and the other residents. Corrigan Mental Health Center Superintendent Steven Figueiredo was on hand to congratulate the residents. "The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is taking wellness much more seriously, including a new policy to eliminate smoking from all of its campuses, and an emphasis on fitness and nutrition," he reported. Research has shown that those with psychiatric disabilities are a priority health disparities population. In light of this significant health disparity among individuals with psychiatric disabilities, DMH has established The Healthy Changes Initiative. Click here to see photos of the new fitness center funded in 1997 in part by a Healthy City micro-grant. For more information about the program, contact Greg Cowan at 508-235-7200.
 

(Top row, left) Group home staff member Al Proulx encourages Elias Anaya to take his place in the relay race. (Top row, center and right) Jeante Moreland hands the baton off to Gary Adams III in the last leg of the relay race. (Middle row, left) Louis Soares is congratulated by Corrigan Clinical Director Greg Cowan. (Middle row, center) Bernadette Motta and Amy Crepeau make their way around the quarter-mile track as staff member Mike Marum watches from the sidelines. (Middle row, right) Group home manager Liz DaSilva congratulates Tracy Lima after the race. (Bottom row, left) Staff member Pam Ross throws her arms up in a cheer as staff members Patti Downs, Russ Holland and Joyce Girardi applaud the residents. (Bottom row, center) Corrigan Mental Health Center Superintendent Steven Figueiredo congratulates Susan O'Neil. (Bottom row, right) Group home supervisor Bill Nadeau places a medal around Bernadette Motta's neck following the race.

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