Chair

Sarah Gaer is a suicide loss survivor and holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has twenty five years’ experience in the field of mental health care. She is a proud alumna of Holyoke Community College Class of ’98 and Antioch New England University Class of ’09. Her graduate degree work was focused on military veterans and trauma.

Sarah has worked as an outpatient clinician, on a crisis team, in residential settings both for those with chronic mental health challenges and substance use disorders and with youth. She led a team of crisis counselors following the June 1st, 2011 tornado in Western and Central MA through a FEMA Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) and was the Senior Team Leader for the FEMA funded CCP responding to Covid-19 in Massachusetts.

Vice Chair

Katie Gallant is a suicide loss survivor and suicide prevention researcher. She received her Masters in Social Work from Boston University, with a Specialization in Leadership in Groups, Organizations, and Communities. She currently works in the Public Health department of a nonprofit research organization.

With over eight years of experience across multiple states, Katie brings a strong background in suicide prevention and public health, with experience in training, implementation, evaluation, and community engagement. She is passionate about reducing stigma around suicide and promoting hope through connections.