Emily Morrison, the town’s social worker.
Lincoln residents of all ages can now consult with a social worker at several locations in town and get free 45-minute appointments with a mental health counselor.
Social worker Emily Morrison was hired in January and works alongside Council on Aging (COA) co-assistant director Abby Butt, who primarily handles issues with seniors age 60 and older. “About a year and a half ago, we began to notice a significant increase in households with people of all ages in crisis,” COA Director Carolyn Bottum said. Many were at risk of homelessness or having their utilities shut off, insufficient food, and issues with family dynamics. The COA caters only to seniors, “but because we’re the only social service department in town, everyone was coming to us.”
Morrison can refer residents to the many area services that are available to them at little or no cost, such as emergency housing, fuel assistance food stamps, etc. Residents can also see a counselor from Eliot Community Health Services to discuss issues related to anxiety, depression, joblessness, loss, or any other issue. The counselor can also make referrals for longer-term treatment. Eliot may be able to bill insurance, but clients are not responsible for any copays if they can’t afford them (the Board of Health provided a small grant for copays and fees for those without insurance).
The social worker position was created with the help of grants from the First Parish in Lincoln, St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, and the Ogden Codman Trust. The funding will allow the clinics to run for two or three years “while we gather data show how important they are; then we hope to go to another source for more stable funding such as the town or a group of private citizens,” Bottum said.
Morrison began working in Lincoln in January after earning her social work degree after being a stay-at-home mother for her five children. She did her internship at the Belmont COA and is particularly interested in disability and inclusion, older adults, and hospice.
Morrison is available from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month and Tuesdays from 8–11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. She also has hours on the other two Mondays of the month at Lincoln Woods, at Battle Road Farm, and (during the school year) at LEAP for parents picking up their children after school. Call her at 781-259-8811 to set up an appointment with her or a mental health counselor.