Page 10 - BusinessWest April 3, 2023

EDITORIAL >>
East-west Rail a Worthwhile Goal
“This is an easy fix. Please fix it. Make it easy for us. Make it easy for me to get to work.”
Those were the words of Gina Nortonsmith, who lives in Northampton but works in Boston, as reported by the Berkshire Eagle.
The occasion was a pair of hearings on east-west passen- ger rail service in Massachusetts, the latest in a series of meet- ings being held by the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission.
Nortonsmith’s sentiments are no doubt shared by many in Western Mass. who work in the eastern part of the state, or travel there often for other reasons, from medical appointments to ball- games and concerts.
What many state officials and lawmakers no doubt take issue with is the word ‘easy,’ at least when it comes to bringing such rail service into existence. Because it certainly won’t be easy — or inexpensive.
But our feeling has long been that the price tag — an initial outlay of $2.4 billion to $4.6 billion, according to MassDOT, plus ongoing maintenance costs — is worth it.
The reasons are myriad. In an age of remote and hybrid work models — which don’t seem to be going away — rail service could be a boon for those who need to work in or near Boston but want the lower cost of living and what they see as a higher quality of life in the Valley or the Berkshires. Conversely, it would open up job opportunities out east for those already living here.
“Key passenger rail stops along the east-west passenger line would provide a catalyst for economic growth throughout the area,” Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said in written testi- mony at the Springfield hearing. “The iron is hot, and now is the time to strike. This project would open up myriad positive possi-
OPINION >>
bilities, including opportunities for economic development, jobs, and housing.”
Enhanced rail could also bring more tourism dollars to West- ern Mass. — which is rich in cultural and recreational destina- tions — by making it easier for Eastern Mass. denizens to spend some time here.
The service would likely connect Pittsfield to Boston via a high-speed train with proposed stops in Chester, Springfield, Palmer, and Worcester. From an environmental perspective, fewer cars on the Mass Pike and other roads means fewer emissions, and that’s a plus for the health of the entire corridor.
While talk of east-west service had been frustratingly fruitless for rail advocates in recent years, their dream got some concrete encouragement last summer when an $11.4 billion infrastructure bond bill backed by former Gov. Charlie Baker authorized $275 million toward expansion of passenger rail and created the West- ern Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission to gather infor- mation about the feasibility of such a project.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and many influential local lawmakers have been stalwart supporters of such a plan. And in her FY 2024 state budget, Gov. Maura Healey proposed directing $12.5 toward the project, including the hiring of a project director, design of a station in Palmer, and track improvements in Pittsfield — all of which points to continued support from the governor’s office to make east-west rail a reality.
The plan still has many hurdles to clear; it’s far from a done deal, and may never happen — because, as we noted, it’s not easy. But the payoff would go far beyond making commuters’ lives
a little easier. From the perspectives of economic growth, tour- ism dollars, and even climate and health, we hope this theoretical train keeps chugging toward an actual, feasible plan. BW
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Mental-health Needs Continue
BY NEGAR BEHESHTI, MD
The emergency declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic may end on May 11, depending on the specific policies and guidelines of each country or region. However, the mental- health needs of individuals affected by the pandemic are likely to continue long after the official declaration ends.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant stress and uncertainty for many people, including social isolation, financial difficulties, and concerns about health and safety. These stressors can take a toll on mental health, leading to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental-health issues.
While the end of the pandemic may bring some relief, it is important to recognize that the mental-health impacts of the pan- demic may be long-lasting. Therefore, it is essential to continue to prioritize mental healthcare and support, both for those who have been directly affected by the pandemic and for the general population.
This can include accessing mental-health services, practicing self-care strategies such as mindfulness and exercise, and seek- ing support from friends, family, or mental-health professionals as needed. By taking steps to address their mental health, individu- als can promote their overall well-being and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
Mental Health America’s 2023 ranking of states in terms of higher access to mental healthcare shows Massachusetts con- tinues in a top position. The Commonwealth, which has made access a priority through its recent creation of Community Behav- ioral Health Centers, ranks second, as it did in 2022, in terms of such markers as access to insurance, treatment, and quality and cost of insurance.
Lack of affordability and lack of access are consistently among the barriers cited in seeking mental healthcare, so it is good to see the state maintain its ranking on access in comparison to other states. Massachusetts, through its Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, is working to reduce these barriers, and we here at MiraVista are proud that our opening nearly two years ago in the middle of the pandemic created additional inpatient psychiat- ric beds in the state for both adults and youth, as well as expand- ed inpatient treatment for substance use.
Still, the need for increased mental-health services — and the funding to support them — to meet demand continues both in the state and nationally.
The pandemic brought attention to the existing gaps in men- tal-health services and has spurred efforts to address them. It is crucial to recognize that the need for mental-health support and resources continues to exist post-pandemic, and individu- als should be encouraged to seek help and support whenever necessary.
Our experienced clinicians deliver patient-centered and evidence-based care, helping those with mental-health and sub- stance-use conditions to find their road to recovery in order to live a fulfilling life. BW
Dr. Negar Beheshti is the chief medical officer for MiraVista Behavioral Health Center in Holyoke and its sister hospital, TaraVista Behavioral Health Center, in Devens. For more information on MiraVista’s psychiatric services, visit www. miravistabhc.care.
10 APRIL 3, 2023
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