Creating Community: 2 Raymond Locals Are Putting the “WE” In Mental Wellness
Over the last few months, both Melissa Matthews and Belle Rae Zachesky/Copp have lost someone dear to them. Melissa lost her husband, Graham, to suicide on September 30th. The next day, her eight-year old niece, Belle, lost her father, Jesse, to an opioid overdose.
The two have chosen to try to channel their grief into action, seeking to raise awareness around the importance of mental wellness in their community.
Melissa and Belle have begun creating wristbands that read, “Let’s change the ‘I’ in mental illness with ‘WE’ for mental wellness.” They are also working on a Facebook page that seeks to provide an online community of support and positivity for those who might be struggling. The group’s name — MW Wellness — is shorthand for “mental wellness warriors,” and it was inspired by Demi Lovato’s song Warrior. The pop singer has been open publicly about her struggle with substance misuse and depression.
Time and time again, I’m awed by the resilience, compassion, and kindness of people across New Hampshire. And as the effects of the opioid crisis continue to be felt across our state, it is important that Granite Staters come together to support one another.
Despite their own losses, Melissa and Belle of Raymond are two examples of Granite Staters who are working to go the extra mile to provide that support to others. That’s why I’m proud to name them both as December’s Granite Staters of the Month.
In loving memory of Graham F. Matthews Jr. and Jesse Copp.
