Attorney General Dana Nessel to join Grand Haven town hall on cyberbullying, mental health
As online harassment continues to blur the lines between youth culture, adult life, and the legal system, local advocates and state leaders are gathering in Grand Haven to confront the growing crisis.
GRAND HAVEN — As online harassment continues to blur the lines between youth culture, adult life, and the legal system, local advocates and state leaders are gathering in Grand Haven to confront the growing crisis.
The Momentum Center will host a public Town Hall on Mental Health and Cyberbullying on Monday, Sept. 28, bringing together legal experts, law enforcement, and mental health professionals.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will headline a six-member panel assembled to explore the wide-ranging impacts of digital intimidation and evaluate whether current legislation keeps pace with online harm.
The event runs 6-8:30 p.m. at the Momentum Center, 401 N. Seventh St., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Organizers are offering both in-person attendance — complete with complimentary refreshments — and a virtual livestream to broaden regional reach.
Pushing for legislative reform
While raising public awareness remains a priority, organizers emphasize that the forum aims to drive concrete legislative and systemic changes.
"The people who experience cyberbullying don't live their lives in separate categories," said Barbara Lee, founder and "Experi-Mentor" at the Momentum Center. "It affects mental health, relationships, families, schools, workplaces, and sometimes the criminal justice system. We need our laws and our systems to reflect the reality of what people are experiencing online."
Lee noted that the presence of high-profile state and federal representatives offers a rare opportunity to highlight where current legal frameworks fall short for victims and law enforcement alike.
A cross-disciplinary panel
The town hall seeks to reframe cyberbullying as an all-ages mental health emergency rather than a minor issue restricted to middle school hallways.
Joining Nessel on the panel are:
- Kelle Lynn, Justice Thru Storytelling, a Fruitport-based nonprofit organization that uses personal narratives and public advocacy to expose flaws and injustices in the legal system
- Justin Canan, Grand Haven Police detective
- Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office
- Elena Belaya, The Healing Village, a trauma-informed mental health counseling practice located in Muskegon
- Eric Nelson, Muskegon-based criminal defense attorney
Together, the panelists will examine the psychological toll of digital harassment on both minors and adults, as well as the practical hurdles law enforcement and defense attorneys face when cases enter the judicial system. The audience will have an opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session following the panel presentations.
"Adults experience it, too, and the psychological and social consequences can be profound," Lee said. "We want this conversation to move beyond awareness and toward meaningful community and legislative action."
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Event details and registration
- What: Mental Health and Cyberbullying Town Hall
- When: 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
- Where: Momentum Center, 401 N. Seventh St., Grand Haven (or virtually)
- Cost: Free (registration required)
The event is sponsored by Molina Healthcare and Justice Thru Storytelling, with communication support from Trinity Health.
To register or learn more, visit momentumcentergh.org/townhall-cyberbullying or contact 616-414-9111.
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