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Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Belchertown Select Board Vice Chair Lesa Lessard Pearson speaks during the Massachusetts Select Board Association’s Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 25 in Boston.
During the Massachusetts Select Board Association’s Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 25 at Connect 351, Matt Lehrman, co-founder of Social Prosperity Partners, discussed mental health and stress management for public officials.
Lehrman, who was also the Saturday keynote speaker at Connect 351, led an interactive conversation on recognizing and managing the personal stress of civic leadership in order to foster healthier leaders, promote inclusive and resilient communities, and create the conditions for more effective governance.
“This is something to be intentional about,” he said. “This is something to reflect on in your life, and with a loved one.”
Lehrman invited attendees to assess their stress levels as elected municipal officials, and examine the primary causes. Participants identified personal examples of both “episodic” stress (stress caused by limited or infrequent but extreme circumstances) and “latent” stress (stress caused by constant, uncomfortable circumstances).
Citing a study on the decreased life expectancy of municipal law enforcement officers post-retirement, Lehrman said high stress levels affect the mental and physical health of public servants, and their ability to lead effectively.
“Surges and dumps of adrenaline … it takes a physical toll on your body,” he said. “It affects your relationships and how you deal with stress.”
Lehrman said stress management is also important for elected officials in order to build and maintain strong relationships with their communities. He identified misinformation, distrust and dysfunction as the “community costs” of stress and “unproductive conflict.” Productive conflict, however, is a healthy component of community-building.
“This theme keeps resurfacing,” he said. “Effective leaders take care of their personal mental health and wellness. … It’s something we must bring to our work.”
The MSA business meeting included remarks from MSA President and Stoughton Select Board Member Debra Roberts, a report from the MSA Nominating Committee, and a vote on the 2025 MSA officers and district representatives.