The Well of PBC - October - 2024

®

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024

®

THE BRAIN COAST: A VISION FOR

SOUTH FLORIDA

HOW DO YOU TRAIN YOUR BRAIN?

RURAL RESEARCH

REVOLUTION:

ADDRESSING ALZHEIMER'S

IN THE GLADES

THE POWER OF NEUROARTS

BETTER LIVING THROUGH BRAIN SCIENCE

PERCUSSION AND PURPOSE:

THE INTERSECTION

OF DRUMMING, MINDFULNESS AND SPIRITUALITY

PLUS: MAKING THE GRADE • OPENING THE DOORS TO BETTER BRAIN HEALTH • THE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH • INFUSING THE ARTS INTO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEARNING FOR PBC SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS • AND MUCH MORE!

CONTENTS

8

FEATURE STORY

The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida

12

THE DRAW

14

THE SOURCE

16

THE FOUNTAIN

The Power of Neuroarts

Making the Grade

REAL 18 THE Percussion and Purpose:

The Intersection of Drumming, Mindfulness and Spirituality

From Top Left to Bottom Right: Page 8 - Feature Story; Page 12 - The Draw; Page 14 - The Source; Page 16 - The Fountain; Page 18 - The Real; Page 20 The Word; Page 26 - The Providers; Page 28 - Beyond the Couch

20

THE WORD

22

THE RESERVOIR

23

CORNER TALK

24

THE DEPTH

26

THE PROVIDERS

28

BEYOND THE COUCH

30

BEWELLPBC NEWS

32

SPOTLIGHT

Rural Research Revolution: Addressing Alzheimer's in the Glades Opening the Doors to Better Brain Health How Do You Train Your Brain?

The Intersection of Faith and Mental Health Better Living Through Brain Science Infusing the Arts into Behavioral Health Learning for PBC School District Students Pioneering Pediatric Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care Christina Belony

Front cover photo ©hyperpixelle

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Meet BeWellPBC’s Community Connectors Stewards of change transforming behavioral health in our community.

Rosa

Gurunam

Yolanda

Emma

Aida

OJ

Sherrah

Brandon

Carine

Noris

Kristin

Oriana

Shalanda

Ron

Deborah

Mildred

Angela

Kalimba

BeWellPBC's Community Connectors are passionate resident advocates who serve as vital links between their neighborhoods and key system leaders and organizations. Their mission is to facilitate meaningful conversations that empower residents to voice their needs and priorities, especially in the realm of behavioral health and wellness.

GET TO KNOW US

Our Community Connectors host engaging training sessions in partnership with local providers, focusing on topics like behavioral health awareness, trauma, health equity, and wellness.

Join The Movement www.bewellpbc.org

/ LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Palm Beach County has a tremendous heart with approximately 8,000 non-profit organizations serving our community’s needs and we have ferocious courage - standing strong in the face of tragedy, natural disasters and otherwise, coming together with our neighbors to forge ahead.

And now with Palm Beach County moving towards a brain health agenda through the collaboration of cutting edge brain health science and our lauded cultural initiatives, we are looking at an optimistic future in which we can lead the world in converging neuroscience, technology and the arts.

Palm Beach County is the golf capital of Florida, one of the largest agricultural counties in the country, Manhattan South, the Gold Coast and soon enough, we will be known as the Brain Coast.

“

JULIE KHANNA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

...we are looking at an optimistic future in which we can lead the world in converging neuroscience, technology and the arts.

MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR INVESTED PARTNER

Convening with FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Palm Health Foundation is also collaborating with the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County and The Palm Beaches to form the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative and in this issue, we will discuss the work the collaborative is doing.

From Alzheimer's research in Palm Beach County’s western communities to the School District of Palm Beach County supporting behavioral health providers to the potential and promise of students graduating from FAU High School, we are positioning ourselves as a global leader in furthering brain health research and optimizing brain health.

I look forward to learning more about the revolutionary breakthroughs that occur as a result of Palm Beach County evolving into the Brain Coast and am honored that The Well of PBC is shining a spotlight on all of the people working so hard to bring this vision to fruition.

I would also like to take a moment to celebrate a win. The Well of PBC was nominated for a Hats Off Award in the Arts and Culture Impact Category. We would like to thank Nonprofits First for this honor and acknowledge the efforts of our incredible team who are committed to transforming the behavioral health landscape of Palm Beach County.

We also won The Guide to Florida’s 2024 Best of Florida award for Best Publication!

This is the second year in a row we have received this honor and we would like to thank not only the staff for their hard work but also everyone who voted for us.

Additionally, I want to wish The Well of PBC a very happy birthday and to thank our contributors for sharing their wisdom, our team for their tireless efforts and above all, our readers for being the reason we do what we do.

Elevating your voices is a privilege and I am honored to serve as editor-in-chief of a publication that means so much to so many, myself included.

Thank you again to our distribution partners and thank you for being part of the mission: "To be the primary resource for behavioral health and wellness for Palm Beach County; a safe exchange space for community and an outlet for our neighbors and stakeholders to transform the behavioral health landscape."

To share feedback, obtain advertising information, or contribute, please reach us at thewell@bewellpbc.org.

With deep appreciation,

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/ THE MISSION

To be the primary resource for behavioral health and wellness for Palm Beach County; a safe exchange space for community and an outlet for our neighbors and stakeholders to transform the behavioral health landscape.

To share feedback, obtain advertising information, or contribute, please reach us at thewell@bewellpbc.org.

The largest behavioral health publication in Palm Beach County, The Well of PBC is a non-profit magazine which aims to be a community-directed resource for Palm Beach County residents. Advocating for mental health accessibility is central to our mission and we believe in “walking the walk” when it comes to ensuring every Palm Beach County resident has the opportunity to have their voices heard. We are proud to use our platform to highlight both national and global concerns while remaining focused on local mental health and wellness issues that matter the most to our audience.

DISCLAIMER The Well of PBC is proud to be the premier behavioral health and mental wellness publication in Palm Beach County and we are honored to elevate the voices and concerns of Palm Beach County residents. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Well of PBC. The author of each article published in The Well of PBC owns their own words. Portions of the articles on this web site may be freely redistributed in other media and non-commercial publications as long as the following conditions are met:

1) The redistributed article should should be linked back to the original link on https://www.bewellpbc.org/media/the-well-of-pbc/ including the words “Read in full, visit https://www.bewellpbc.org/ media/the-well-of-pbc/”

4) The articles on this web site may be included in a commercial publication or other media only if prior consent for republication is received from The Well of PBC. The Well of PBC may request compensation for republication for commercial uses.

2) The redistributed article may not be abridged, edited or altered in any way without the express consent of the author.

5) All content including the original files, published digital or in-print material of The Well of PBC is the property of BeWell PBC. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, modify, create derivative works, or in any other way exploit any part of our material without the prior written permission from BeWellPBC.

3) The redistributed article may not be sold for a profit or included in another media or publication that is sold for a profit wit vhout the express consent of The Well of PBC.

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Photo © Prostock-studio / Adobe Stock | #279647638

/ MEET THE TEAM CREATIVE TEAM

LAUREN ZUCHMAN

JULIE KHANNA

JESSIE PRUGH

PUBLISHER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lauren is the executive director for the countywide initiative, BeWellPBC, advancing behavioral health and wellness for all residents in Palm Beach County. The Well of PBC is a passion project for Lauren to increase behavioral health awareness, engage diverse perspectives across the county, and promote solutions to address our county’s most complex challenges.

Julie, CEO of Khanna Connections, enjoys using her creativity to help health and wellness industries communicate with their audiences.

Jessie is a seasoned creative director and designer with fifteen years of experience in print publishing, education, and marketing. With a passion for innovation, she has empowered diverse clients, from arts organizations to Fortune 500 companies, with bespoke marketing solutions and creative project management.

ABIGAIL GOODWIN

VANESSA MOSS

CARRIE BROWNE

KATRINA BLACKMON

MELANIE OTERO

JAIME JOSHI ELDER

MARKETING MANAGER

CONTRIBUTOR

CONTRIBUTOR

Katrina, the founder, and CEO of Unity3 Palm Beach, contributed her expertise in executive advertising spanning over twentyfive years to the launch of The Well of PBC. With her background in local, regional, and national advertising media, she brings a blend of professional acumen and personal values, including her deep-rooted commitment to faith, family, and the vibrant multicultural community of Palm Beach County to The Well of PBC and BeWellPBC.

Melanie, president of Otero Communications, provides consulting services for some of Palm Beach County’s leading nonprofit organizations. With a special interest in behavioral health, she has assisted with the launch of The Well of PBC and serves as a contributing writer.

Jaime, founder of Rosewood Media, is a West Palm Beach resident, creative and contributing writer to The Well of PBC. With a decade of experience in non-profit communications and a lifetime of experience as a writer, Jaime’s work focuses on behavioral health, diversity, equity and inclusion, travel, music, food and parenthood through a pop culture lens.

PATRICK McNAMARA

ALITA FABER

Call to Action: We are looking for people to contribute to our art, ask the experts, students, self-care, cultural, spiritual, and provider columns. Email us for our contributor guidelines, editorial calendar, or if you’d like to share an event or position you’re hiring for. E: thewell@bewellpbc.org | Follow along at @thewellofpbc

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/ FEATURE: THE BRAIN COAST VISION

THE BRAIN COAST: A VISION FOR SOUTH FLORIDA

By Patrick McNamara, President and CEO, Palm Health Foundation

I

n the early 1960s, President John F. Kennedy announced that a man would land on the moon by the end of the decade. His ambitious goal accelerated the development of Florida’s "Space Coast," the hub of America's space exploration, and the epicenter for ongoing discovery today through SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Now, we are poised to realize a new vision: The Brain Coast.

Our next frontier is right here on earth, with the aim to accelerate the progress of innovation to diagnose, treat, and cure a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other brain conditions that affect 8 in 10 Americans.

With world-renowned brain science institutions in our backyard—The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, FAU StilesNicholson Brain Institute—and science, health, education, and community partners integrated into a growing network

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focused on brain health, Palm Beach County is at the forefront of understanding our brain function that is essential to every aspect of life.

Six partners came together as the initial visionaries for The Brain Coast who believe that shared vision, determination, science, education, collaboration, and investment can transform a region and change the world. Many more have committed to advancing this exciting vision with imagination, curiosity, and desire to push the boundaries of brain science and its promise.

To paraphrase President Kennedy’s words that inspired a nation, we choose to solve the mysteries of the brain, not because it is easy, but because it is hard; because our goals will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills; because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.

Photo @hyperpixelle

The Brain Coast Vision is based on three fundamental pillars that will generate a thriving brain ecosystem in South Florida:

PILLAR 1:

PILLAR 2:

PILLAR 3:

Deepening Brain Science, Education, and Resiliency Through Research

Engaging the Community

Spurring Innovation to Improve Brain Health, Mental Health, and Community Resilience

The Brain Coast will advance neuroscience research and push the boundaries of our understanding of the brain, resilience, and mental health.

The Brain Coast aims to foster an informed and proactive community that understands the importance of addressing brain health for healthier lives.

The Brain Coast will be an epicenter for innovation in fundamental brain and mental health research, encouraging the development of novel interventions for neurodegenerative diseases and mental illnesses.

“With our region’s world-­class research facilities, incredible talent and technology, and commitment to life-saving work, South Florida will be the place where groundbreaking brain health discoveries are born.”

“We have a diverse range of ethnicities and cultures in our labs and surrounding community, enriching opportunities to engage with local residents, share innovative approaches to overcome historic health barriers, and inspire future researchers.”

“The Brain Coast encompasses so many facets of our community, integrating arts and culture with brain science to improve the health of our residents while leading the country in pioneering the neuroarts.”

- Katie Walsh Edwards, Associate VP, Public Engagement, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

- Kirill Martemyanov, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology

- Yelda Adiguzelli-Dugan, Education Director, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

The Brain Coast Visionaries

Partners

The Brain Coast of South Florida will be the intersection of groundbreaking research, inspired brain-centered education, community engagement, and innovation in the fields of brain health and mental health. We will contribute to the understanding of the human brain, mental health, and resilience, shaping the future of healthcare delivery and societal wellbeing. Through this commitment, we will make South Florida the Brain Coast—the global hub of brain science and a community that prioritizes brain health and resilience.

We are ready.

• Palm Health Foundation • FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute • Stiles-Nicholson Foundation • The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology • Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience • Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network

SCAN HERE to see Brain Coast Vision Document signed by the partners

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/ FEATURE: THE BRAIN COAST VISION

How the Brain Coast Vision is Becoming Reality The Brain Coast is more than a sum of its parts. Students, researchers, scientists, health professionals, funders, nonprofits, and residents are coming together across South Florida to transform brain health in our local community and around the world. Here, we share our aspirations for how we will bring each facet of the Brain Coast vision to life, and the many initiatives that are already underway—from creating education-to-career pipelines for STEM students to residents leading neuroscience research— setting the course for the massive potential that lies ahead.

Education to Career Pipeline "We will inspire and train the next generation in the approaches needed to make lasting differences in the lives of the afflicted."

• The Cox Science Center and Aquarium’s Journey Through the Human Brain Exhibit/STEM educational programs for youth • FAU High School/Max Planck Florida Institute of Neuroscience partnership; Palm Beach County School District's Behavioral Health Technician Program in partnership with BeWellPBC • Palm Health Foundation Mental/Behavioral Health Professions Scholarships • Palm Health Foundation Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Computational Brain Health Graduate Fellows

Pioneering Research "We will pursue pioneering research and education in neurodegenerative diseases, mental illness, and the science of resilience—understanding how individuals, communities, systems, and ecosystems recover, adapt, and thrive in the face of adversity, stress, or change."

• Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing/Healthier Glades “Faith Moves Mountains” study in the Glades and “The Role of Air Quality and Built Environment in Social Isolation and Cognitive Function Among Rural, Racially/Ethnically Diverse Residents at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease” • University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Comprehensive Center for Brain Health longitudinal study, part of the NIH Healthy Brain Initiative • FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute's multiple lines of research, from the developing brain to neurodegenerative diseases

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Photo © Getty Images

Innovation Through Collaboration "We aim to bridge the gap between neuroscience, technology, and healthcare, transforming scientific insights into real-world applications."

• PBC NeuroArts Collaborative

• Mental Health First Aid Coalition of Palm Beach County • PBC Brain Health Network

Resident Engagement "We will foster a neuro-ecosystem that not only educates our communities about brain health but encourages the development of novel interventions for neurodegenerative diseases and mental illnesses, taking research from the lab to the people who need it most."

• Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Science Meets Music • FAU Brain Institute ASCEND, Mobile Minds, and Brainy Days • Wertheim UF Scripps Institute Neuroscience External Seminar Program • Palm Health Foundation's Train the Brain

Community Resilience "We will dispel myths, share the latest scientific findings, and instill the importance of mental wellbeing and resilience in our everyday lives."

• BeWellPBC • Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together communities

Watch 'The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida' to uncover the innovative strategies driving brain health forward in our community.

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/ THE DRAW

“Members from diverse professions are coming together to forge a neuroarts ecosystem that better supports community needs in such areas as youth mental health, neurodivergent learning, healthcare systems, education systems, and the aging brain.”

THE POWER OF NEUROARTS

By Bama Lutes Deal, Ph.D. | Consultant, PBC Neuroarts Collaborative

N

euroarts is an evidence-based, research-driven field that combines science, the arts, and technology. Its purpose is to learn precisely how our bodies, brains, and behavior are impacted by art and aesthetic experiences, like singing or listening to music, writing or reading poetry, being immersed in nature, making or experiencing art, dancing, drumming, doing Tai Chi and Yoga—these aesthetic experiences impact our brains in significant ways that have traditionally been used in many cultures to support healing and wellness.

Neuroarts asks important new questions that science and technology can help answer.

Why do certain aesthetic experiences help transform moods, lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels, quiet a racing heart, support a stronger gait, or encourage emotional bonding?

Why do humans all tap their feet to music together?

Why do certain moments in a piece of music, film score, or soundtrack cause us to get goosebumps?

How does our brain process natural environments or interesting architecture?

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And can we use these observable, predictable phenomena to advance health and wellness?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Science and technology are confirming what many have always understood­—that the arts are transformative­—literally.

This is a significant paradigm shift in our understanding and consumption of arts and aesthetic experiences, linking the arts more closely to healthcare practices, while simultaneously advancing individual and collective wellbeing through arts engagement across the planet.

The PBC NeuroArts Collaborative, a community coalition of the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative (neuroartsblueprint.org), is leading the way in South Florida. Members from diverse professions are coming together to forge a neuroarts ecosystem that better supports community needs in such areas as youth mental health, neurodivergent learning, healthcare systems, education systems, and the aging brain.

As a consultant to Palm Health Foundation, my job is to support and lead this initiative by convening partners from five different professional sectors: research (neuroscience,

psychology, neuropsychology, etc.), the arts (all creative disciplines), healthcare practices (honoring all healing modalities), education systems, and community advocates.

Through robust conversations, they determine which neuroarts practices might best support local community needs. We share resources, contacts, and data to help expand existing programs and their impact or innovate together to develop new models for science-supported, arts-based care.

Over the summer, spoken word poet, Desiree Karnis Reavis, collaborated with Youth Empowered to Prosper’s Summer Connections Camp to support a group of young people undergoing a difficult time in their respective lives.

Through guided writing exercises, these young people began describing their anxiety—and sharing their feelings with one another. They were similarly encouraged to reflect on what they were grateful for. The in-person results were powerful, including, “at one point, the entire group consoling one teenager as she broke down in tears describing her relationship with her parents. Even the boys who would laugh initially because they didn’t know how to express that discomfort showed a different level of empathy by the end of the two weeks.” Through a shared arts experience they became a community of kindness for one another. In an era of rampant social isolation, this is truly great medicine!

Photos courtesy of Bama Lutes Deal

There are so many other strong examples I could list— like the way music and dancing can calm tremors in Parkinsons’ patients, while also strengthening balance and gait. Individuals in addiction recovery can also physically transform their bodies through guided dance and improvisational movement. Alzheimer’s Community Care is expanding arts and music programming that has already proven to help their clients—and caregivers—find joy and a renewed sense of belonging. Cancer centers and hospitals are also becoming interested in offering more science-supported, arts-based healing practices for both patients and staff—that’s the power of neuroarts.

To learn more about the PBC Neuroarts Collaborative, email neuroarts@phfpbc.org.

The Draw is a space for creatives to share their art, poetry, spoken word, etc. and/or how their art helps themselves and others.

To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@ bewellpbc.org with “The Draw” in the subject line.

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/ THE SOURCE

thE SOurce From parenting resources to podcasts to books to read together, there are countless behavioral health and wellness materials out there which serve to educate, support and inspire.

This issue, we collaborated with the team at Palm Health Foundation to find the best brain health resources both locally and globally.

We hope you will use The Source as a resource for our community and find what you need to thrive.

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Photos submitted

Our first recommendation is at the heart of neuroarts —Your Brain on Art: How The Arts Transform Us

by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross. Magsamen and Ross's research shows that engaging in an art project —no matter your skill level—for as little as 45 minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol. Just one art experience per month can extend your life by 10 years. Featuring interviews from biologists and musicians like David Byrne of the Talking Heads as well as various insights from numerous multidisciplinary pioneers, Your Brain on Art is a compelling look at transforming brain health and building healthier communities while doing so.

Your Brain on Art grew out of the NeuroArts Blueprint—an initiative which started in 2019 and is dedicated to building a community of researchers, arts practitioners, artists, community knowledge keepers, and other allies who understand the imperative of using art as a science-based tool to advance our collective health and well-being. Locally, it has inspired the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative whose mission is to identify and map local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida.

We also love the Healthy Minds Program App. A completely free app for both Apple and Android devices, Healthy Minds uses a combination of podcast-style lessons and both seated and active meditations to teach neuroscience, contemplative traditions, and skill-based learning methods.

For more in depth information into brain health, you can join the world’s leading brain experts at Master Class: Brain Health and learn science-backed strategies to help keep your mind sharp and brainboosting recipes to enhance cognitive function.

And finally, Back from Broken is an NPR-produced podcast hosted by Vic Vela, an award-winning journalist in recovery. Guests as varied as pro-wrestler Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Hunter Biden and Jim Belushi discuss what it’s like to come back from the darkest moments.

LISTEN UP! If you have something you’d like to share, we encourage you to email us at: thewell@ bewellpbc.org and tell us about it.

The Source is The Well of PBC Creative Team’s pick of accessible behavioral health resources.

Readers can email thewell@bewellpbc.org with their favorite podcasts, books, book clubs, apps, groups, social media accounts, and other suggestions.

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/ THE FOUNTAIN

MAKING THE GRADE

By Alvaro Frydman | Director of Creative & Operations | Florida Atlantic Laboratory Schools www.alvarofrydman.com

F

lorida Atlantic University High School (FAU High School) is a public, dual-enrollment high school on two Florida Atlantic University campuses in Boca Raton and Jupiter, Florida.

The school serves students in 9th-12th grade through a unique approach to advanced coursework and classroom settings that allows them to excel at levels based on merit rather than their age.

Beginning in ninth grade, students are dual-enrolled in university-level coursework, allowing them to earn credits towards their bachelor's degree at the same time as they complete their Florida high school graduation requirements.

In tenth grade, students are fully enrolled at Florida Atlantic, where they complete the rest of their high school coursework and begin their undergraduate degrees in a major of their choosing. A typical graduate of FAU High School earns three years worth of college credits toward a bachelor's degree.

The advanced approach of FAU High School allows students to explore their passions at an earlier age and earn a

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significant part of their undergraduate credits with no student debt.

A particularly innovative high school program offered by the Florida Atlantic Laboratory Schools is the Jupiter campus, in Partnership with Max Planck Academy. This satellite allows students to pursue an honors university curriculum while working with leading Jupiter neuroscience hub researchers from the FAU Brain Institute, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI), and the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.

After research training on techniques like STED microscopy, AI-infused image analysis, and small molecule drug design and professional enrichment, students attend neurosciencefocused courses and seminars to find mentors to collaborate with on projects that match their research interests. To date, students have been published over 80 times in peer-reviewed journals, and, more importantly, their research has been cited over 1,500 times worldwide, further expanding the breadth of scientific knowledge originating in South Florida.

Photos submitted

“A typical graduate of FAU High School (FAUHS) earns three years worth of college credits toward a bachelor’s degree.”

The Florida Atlantic Laboratory Schools campus in Boca Raton, FL, is currently undergoing a campus buildout to add facilities and opportunities for all FAU High and A.D. Henderson University School students. Most notably, the Florida Atlantic University Laboratory Schools received a $2 million grant from The Marcus Foundation, established

by Bernie Marcus, to launch the Marcus Research and Innovation Center. This grant will enhance the pipeline of students at A.D. Henderson and FAU High as they strive to become talented researchers and innovators who can address the country's most pressing challenges while becoming part of a highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of the nation.

It also will help to re-engineer education to train future school leaders and educators.

The Marcus Research and Innovation Center will provide more than 12,000 square feet of STEM and research space to serve as a training center and incubator for current A.D. Henderson and FAU High students as they prepare to become researchers and innovators of tomorrow. The labs within the Center will focus on bioimaging, neuroscience, ocean science and conservation, along with a health care pipeline for teaching, high-performance computing, and rapid prototyping methods. Each lab will be equipped with top-tier research instruments not typically found in K-12 settings, such as a CT scanner, a confocal microscope, a plasma spectrometry system, a fluorescence microscope, and a fully functional operating room installation.

In addition to trainings, the Marcus Center will host visiting scholars and researchers and advance the partnership and research already underway at the Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Regional Hospital and Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.

Through these partnerships with leading neuroscience institutions in South Florida and the innovative labs on the Boca Raton campus, high school students contribute to world-changing research at a high level not typically accessed by high school-aged researchers.

The Fountain is the space for youth contributors and youth-related topics.

To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with "The Fountain" in the subject line.

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/ THE REAL

PERCUSSION AND PURPOSE:

THE INTERSECTION OF DRUMMING, MINDFULNESS AND SPIRITUALITY

By Anthony Bacchus, Founder and CEO of CAPE Universal Inc.

C

APE Universal is a 501c3 organization and our mission is to empower all youth and the community mindsets through principles, cultural arts and mentorship to develop a positive and productive attitude.

The intersection of faith and mental health relating to drumming is connecting your mind, spirit, body and soul to a place of peace, harmony and spirituality.

It’s our duty to protect our holy temple and mindset throughout our lives.

Drumming is a form of meditation, spiritual healing, stress relief, unity and mental health wellbeing.

When we drum with intention and purpose, it intensifies our consciousness and connections with each other, transcending energy and creating a mirror effect.

As master drummers and facilitators, it's our responsibility to

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ensure the energy we generate is positive and conducive to our purposes. A simple single bass tone played consistently with intention can create a soothing rhythm that relaxes our minds, soul, body and spirit. It also connects everyone into a harmonic meditation.

The use of single positive words or affirmations can help to guide everyone's minds through a journey of peace, it can relieve stress and promote spirituality and mental health healing. Vigorous drumming is also good for exercising and relieving tension in our body.

CAPE Universal focuses on meaningful drumming for gratitude, solidarity, empowerment, community unity and love. We have performed and facilitated sessions at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland to promote awareness and solidarity. We have performed at Maya Angelou Schools and different juvenile detention centers, churches, schools, afterschool programs, senior citizens centers and many more.

Photos submitted

“We're excited to present our 2nd annual Multicultural Youth Arts Festival projected to be held at the Old School Square Amphitheater in February 2025.”

CAPE Universal founded the Black History Youth Awareness Arts Festivals in 2022 and we have held annual events since that time. We have also produced the Inaugural Multinational Youth Arts Festival 2024 in collaboration with Prime Time PBC and Healthier Delray Beach’s Get Your Green On campaign where youth aged K-12 created art relating to their own identity and culture. This helps the children to embrace and represent themselves, increase their self esteem, social and emotional development and mental health healing.

We're excited to present our 2nd annual Multicultural Youth Arts Festival projected to be held at the Old School Square Amphitheater in February 2025. The festival has four major segments: youth art display, youth cultural performances, youth entrepreneurship and organizations that empower youth tents set up for networking with children and the community.

CAPE is contracted with Prime Time PBC Community Empowerment Program, Boys & Girls Club Palm Beach County and Port Saint Lucie and several schools and afterschool programs.

Our certified teachers with Florida State School badges teach children K-12, drum, dance, visual arts and steel drum classes throughout Palm Beach and Port Saint Lucie Counties.

Submissions From community events to county-wide campaigns, The Real shows us what’s really going on in the county.

Submit your event photos or news to thewell@bewellpbc.org.

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/ THE WORD

“This partnership with Healthier Glades has facilitated federal funding and increased resident access to other dementia-focused health education, screening, diagnosis, and treatment opportunities.”

Lisa Wiese, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC, CNE

RURAL RESEARCH REVOLUTION: ADDRESSING ALZHEIMER'S IN THE GLADES

By Lisa Wiese, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC, CNE Associate Professor, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU

W

ith grassroots sponsorship by Healthier Glades, an initiative of Palm Health Foundation, a team of faith-based health educators and community providers have brought awareness of an illness of particular concern to western Palm Beach County.

This community-engaged work is important, as rural areas face increased threats of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, due to the presence of multiple risk factors that can be preventable.

The advent of new blood biomarker testing and medical therapies that are effective in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are lending even further importance to these efforts.

Launched by Dr. Lisa Wiese from Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in 2017 and now led by the Director of Healthier Glades, Ms. Antoinita Ifill, the monthly health outreaches include local organizations such as Palm Beach County’s Diabetes Coalition and American Heart Association.

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Additionally, these programs, led by Glades community residents as research assistants, have promoted greater representation by racially/ethnically diverse residents, which informs needed changes to research and treatment protocols.

Consequently, this partnership with Healthier Glades has facilitated federal funding and increased resident access to other dementia-focused health education, screening, diagnosis, and treatment opportunities.

This has included Consortium grants from the Moore Foundation at the Florida Department of Health and the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Most recently, NIH awarded a $4.1M grant to Dr. Wiese and colleagues. With rural residents of the Lake Okeechobee region ages 45+, they are conducting community-led brain health risk assessments over five years.

Dr. Wiese’s work is guided by the concepts of attending to what matters most, coming to know others and maintaining an authentic presence found in the framework of “Nursing as Caring” designed by Anne Boykin during her tenure as a Palm Health Foundation board member and her colleague, Dr. Schoenhofer.

Photos submitted

“

The advent of new blood biomarker testing and medical therapies that are effective in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are lending even further importance to these efforts.

This philosophy has led to additional studies which Healthier Glades and Dr. Wiese facilitated. Most notable were local high school students training older residents in digital literacy to access brain health games, detecting patterns of dementia risk using artificial intelligence, combined with ecological momentary assessments through smartwatch technology, funded by Washington State University, and online chair yoga, funded by FAU’s I-Health Pillar.

Dr. Wiese attributes the gains made in brain health promotion in these underserved rural communities to the visionary support by Palm Health Foundation.

Scan here to watch Bittersweet Muck: Florida Sugar Fires Lead to Complaints, Research and Calls For Change

The Word is a broad topic space for contributing writers (a.k.a the community) to share your stories of behavioral health or anything selfcare related i.e. fitness, health, educational, parenting, hobbies, wellness, etc. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc. org with “The Well” in the subject line.

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/ THE RESERVOIR

“Cristina Fenollar Ferrer, Ph.D is the first faculty member hired to help establish a program in computational brain science and health at FAU and she is making significant strides in understanding brain disorders”

Cristina Fenollar Ferrer, Ph.D

OPENING THE DOORS TO BETTER BRAIN HEALTH

By Jaime Joshi Elder

A

passion for science ignited within Cristina Fenollar Ferrer, Ph.D., when she was a young girl, growing up in Majorca, Spain. Watching her beloved grandmother battle cancer, she dreamed of a brighter future where she would find new cures for diseases.

to know how the door normally opens and closes,” Fenollar Ferrer explains. “At the molecular level, understanding the movements of these doors requires powerful computational approaches to define what cannot be obtained with more conventional techniques.”

Today, Fenollar Ferrer is a Research Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and her work is at the cutting edge of computational neuroscience. Her research focuses on proteins produced by specific genes in the brain, which are major targets for antidepressants, psychoactive drugs and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.

Her approach enhances understanding of these crucial proteins but may also accelerate the path towards new therapeutic strategies. When creating intricate models of these "doors" (proteins), Fenollar Ferrer can design "keys" (drugs) with a better fit leading to the development of safer and more effective medications.

Supported by a $1 million gift from the Palm Health Foundation, she is the first faculty member hired to help establish a program in computational brain science and health at FAU and she is making significant strides in understanding brain disorders and developing innovative treatments for disorders as varied as depression, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

She plans to continue her research in computational neuroscience at FAU’s new Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute on the Jupiter campus, exploring how subtle mutations in transporter proteins can cause drastic changes in brain function and paving the way for new insights and potentially groundbreaking treatments for brain disorders.

Fenollar Ferrer’s research involves understanding membrane transporters—dynamic proteins that control the passage of molecules into and out of brain cells. These transporter proteins regulate what enters and exits the cell and in individuals with conditions such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder, these transporters may be mutated which can lead to brain dysfunction. “These transporters are like doors that do not work well in some neurological diseases.

But if you want to know why a door is stuck, first you have

The Reservoir is the column that celebrates our vibrant community’s customs, culture, holidays, rituals, lifestyle, and social behaviors.

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To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@ bewellpbc.org with “The Reservoir” in the subject line.

Photo submitted

/ CORNER TALK

HOW DO YOU TRAIN YOUR BRAIN? SOUTH: BOYNTON BEACH “Daily exercise is essential to my mental wellbeing and is my daily brain health habit.”

– Patrick McNamara

NORTH: JUPITER “I train my brain by diving into the latest tech and finding humor in the quirks of everyday life.

It’s a mix that keeps me sharp, entertained, and always ready with a clever comeback.”

– Carrie Browne

EAST: LAKE WORTH BEACH “I train my brain by exercising daily. Most days, I go to the gym, but some days I simply take a walk. Moving my body is meditative and helps me clear my mind.”

– Vanessa Moss

CENTRAL: WEST PALM BEACH “I like to make space for quiet time alone. My brain health and mental clarity benefit greatly from this peaceful practice.”

– Brandy Shaw

WEST: WELLINGTON “Two things I do to train my brain are read books such as self help books or fictional stories, and I also enjoy spending time with my animals such as my dog and riding horses. Reading helps me to stay focused on just one task as it requires my full attention, and time with animals helps me to remember life is so much bigger than just myself.” - Kaylee Jay Photos submitted

To have your voice heard from the corner of the neighborhood, send an email to thewell@bewellpbc. org with “Corner Talk and north, central, south, east or west” in the subject line.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

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/ THE DEPTH

Photo © jibarofoto

THE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH

By Kemberly Bush, CEO. Pathways to Prosperity, Inc. | @PathwaysToProsperity

T

he connection between faith and mental health is both deep and complex, profoundly influencing the lives and well-being of many people. Faith significantly contributes to providing support, resilience and a sense of identity.

Faith can provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

In the Black church, faith has been a foundational pillar, which has served as a source of strength during times of oppression and adversity. The church has not only been a place of worship, but also a center for social and political activism, education and community support.

Faith communities tend to offer strong social support networks. They offer a sense of hope, purpose and meaning which are crucial for mental well-being. Spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation and worship can foster a sense of peace and reduce stress and anxiety. The communal aspects of faith provide a strong support network, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation.

Faith can help address issues such as poor self-esteem, low

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confidence, lack of self-control and fear of daily tasks and challenges. For this reason, it can be a way of keeping mental health strong.

While faith has many positive impacts, there are also challenges at the intersection of faith and mental health.

Stigma surrounding mental health issues can be particularly pronounced, with some viewing mental health struggles as a sign of weak faith and trust in God or a higher power. This stigma tends to prevent many from seeking professional help and lead to feelings of shame and isolation.

Many pastors and faith leaders lack the understanding or acceptance of mental health conditions. Many religious and community members fail to recognize the importance of professional mental health care. Instead, they rely and direct those that are experiencing issues to rely solely on spiritual interventions. This thought process creates barriers to accessing comprehensive mental health services because it is seen as a lack of faith.

In order to move beyond these challenges, it is essential to integrate faith and mental health care.

“

Stigma surrounding mental health issues can be particularly pronounced, with some viewing mental health struggles as a sign of weak faith and trust in God or a higher power.

Mental health professionals should be trained to understand and respect the religious beliefs and practices of their clients. Collaborating with pastors and faith leaders and incorporating spiritual practices into mental health treatment can enhance the effectiveness of care.

Pastors and faith leaders can also be proactive in supporting mental health. They can promote open discussions about mental health which can reduce stigmas. They can also infuse the topic of mental health into their sermons and bible studies and offer resources and support groups to help individuals on their journey to mental wellness.

Kemberly Bush

“Pastors and faith leaders can also be proactive in supporting mental health. They can promote open discussions about mental health which can reduce stigmas.”

Fostering collaboration between mental health professionals and the faith community can create a holistic approach to mental health care and lead to better mental health outcomes and a more inclusive and supportive community.

The Depth digs deep into faith and fellowship at the neighborhood level.

Email thewell@bewellpbc.org for a chance to be featured.

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/ THE PROVIDERS

The Comprehensive Center for Brain Health (CCBH) team.

BETTER LIVING THROUGH BRAIN SCIENCE

By Deborah Germain, Project Manager for Research Support, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine | @UMiamiCCBH

T

he Comprehensive Center for Brain Health (CCBH) is located in Boca Raton and integrates its innovative clinical, research, and educational work focusing on brain health and neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular cognitive impairment, and frontotemporal degeneration.

CCBH is an integral part of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Neurology and the Founding Director of CCBH, Dr. James E. Galvin M.D., M.P.H., is Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, the inaugural Alexandria & Bernard Schoninger Endowed Chair in Memory Disorders and Chief of Division of Cognitive Neurology.

Dr. Galvin is an internationally renowned scientist whose work focuses on initiating early intervention, alleviating psychosocial burden on the patient and family, reducing the impact of race, language, culture, and class on the delivery of health services, and improving health outcomes for all individuals.

CCBH was created as a transdisciplinary collaborative research center encompassing specialties including neurology, neuropsychology, nursing, physical therapy, data science, gerontology, epidemiology, social work, urban planning, public

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health, biochemistry, integrative nutrition, biostatistics, and project management.

CCBH’s mission is to better understand how the aging brain works and design treatments and prevention plans that will result in longer, better lives. CCBH leads the way in innovative research, with faculty specializing in diverse aspects of greenspace and neighborhood effects, eye tracking and behavior, epigenetics, and vulnerability & resilience factors on the progression of declining cognition.

CCBH’s transdisciplinary approach to clinical research, clinical care, education and training and community outreach makes a significant positive impact on the lives of individuals and families living in South Florida and beyond.

CCBH offers educational talks and community conferences on brain health topics to share medical findings and improve health literacy. CCBH also takes an artful outreach with a cognitive approach to improve brain health that has included activities such as origami, Neurographic Art, Zentangle Art, Drumming, Meditation and Yoga. CCBH’s efforts to engage and educate the community about brain health and up-todate research findings are supported by philanthropy efforts drawing upon private and family foundations, corporate donations, research participants and grateful patients.

Photos submitted

“CCBH’s mission is to better understand how the aging brain works and design treatments and prevention plans that will result in longer, better lives.”

CCBH is host to an ongoing longitudinal project known as the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) that is actively recruiting community-dwelling adults aged 50 and older with no complaints or mild concerns about their brain health or memory, who speak English or Spanish. HBI uses an approach known as “deep phenotyping” which means a detailed and comprehensive evaluation including blood, MRI, and state-of-the-art assessments.

A study partner is required to provide an independent source of information on memory and everyday functioning and our long-term goals are to develop a dementia prevention approach using the principles of precision medicine approach with personalized tailored feedback provided to deeply phenotyped individuals.

This means that participants go through a very thorough set of tests that are part of the study and then will receive actionable feedback from study clinicians.

If you are interested in participating or know someone who may be interested, please contact CCBH research line at: 561 869 6828 or email Mary Lou Riccio HBI research coordinator at mxr2310@miami.edu.

To learn more about CCBH, the HBI project, events and ways to participate and support CCBH’s ongoing efforts go to Umiamibrainhealth.org From top to bottom: Dr. James E. Galvin M.D., M.P.H., is Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, the inaugural Alexandria & Bernard Schoninger Endowed Chair in Memory Disorders and Chief of Division of Cognitive Neurology; A Gait Analysis System detects pressure data during gait, during balance, and additional movement protocols; Using Cognivue Technology for a personalized, consistent, and reliable assessment of overall brain health.

The Providers is a space for providers, practitioners, thought leaders, and systems change leaders to share.

To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell bewellpbc.org with “For The Providers” in the subject line.

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/ BEYOND THE COUCH

INFUSING THE ARTS

INTO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEARNING FOR PBC SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS

By Dr. Mary Claire Mucenic | Director, Behavioral and Mental Health Services The School District of Palm Beach County | https://www.palmbeachschools.org/domain/386

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his summer, The School District of Palm Beach County’s Department of Behavioral and Mental Health provided a Summer Institute for the 180 School Behavioral Health Professionals, focused on how the neuroarts contribute to mental health and well-being.

The neuroarts is the transdisciplinary study of how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the body, brain, and behavior and how this knowledge translates into specific practices that advance health and wellbeing.

Our School District behavioral health professionals now have a deeper understanding of how to apply arts-based interventions to their support of our students, which will have a positive impact on our school environments and the community beyond.

Key components of the July 2024 NeuroArts Summer Institute included: • Youth Mental Health and Neuroarts: A deep dive into the science behind how art impacts the brain, led by experts in the field – Susan Magsamen, co-author of the New York Times bestseller, “Your Brain On Art – How the Arts Transform Us”, and Dr. Bama Lutes Deal, strategic advisor for

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the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative.

• Music, Song Writing, and Empowerment: Practical training in using music to help students express and process emotions.

• Arts-Based Interventions: Hands-on experience with art activities that can be implemented in school settings to promote mental health.

This training will significantly enhance our school behavioral health professionals’ ability to support student mental health and we couldn’t have accomplished this without Palm Health Foundation's support, which included purchased copies of the book, “Your Brain on Art – How the Arts Transform Us,” for every professional in attendance, and funding of presenter and singer-songwriter Emma G. The School District and Palm Beach County voters have placed highly skilled and trained behavioral health professionals in every school, so any student who needs assistance can turn to their school first for help. Now, armed with neuroarts knowledge, our professionals have additional tools to assist our students in caring for their brain health and overall well-being.

Photos submitted

“The arts trigger the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins that offer you an emotional release. When you experience virtual reality, read poetry or fiction, see a film, listen to a piece of music or dance you are biologically changed. There is a neurochemical exchange that can lead to what Aristotle called catharsis, or a release of emotion that leaves you more connected to yourself and others afterwards.” - Susan Magsamen, co-author with Ivy Ross of Your Brain on Art: How The Arts Transform Us

scan To watch a brief video from the Summer Institute

Beyond The Couch highlights non-traditional mental health outlets and resources in Palm Beach County. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “Beyond the Couch” in the subject line THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

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/ BEWELLPBC NEWS

PIONEERING PEDIATRIC INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PRIMARY CARE

A multi-part series to learn alongside Palm Beach County pediatricians, community partners, and parents.

By Melanie Otero

T

he Palm Beach County Pediatric Integrated Care Project (PIC) is a collaborative physician, parent/caregiver, and community-directed workgroup committed to integrating behavioral health into pediatric care and contributing to Floridawide efforts to expand comprehensive care for all children, especially the underserved.

Far from integrated today, children’s mental health care is isolated from primary care in practice and in insurance payment.

Families face their own isolation as parents feel alone in their struggle to find help as they encounter lengthy wait lists and barrier after barrier to care in the face of skyrocketing rates of childhood depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

PIC, guided by two Palm Beach County physicians, Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine and Dr. Tommy Schechtman, is a bright light offering immediate, innovative solutions to meet the needs of county children and youth. We invite you to follow The Well of PBC’s “Pioneering Pediatric Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care” series as we share the stories of how our community is uniting to provide holistic treatment for our children.

What should a mental health system of care look like for a child?

serve as the hub for their comprehensive care, consulting, collaborating, and communicating with psychiatrists, school mental health professionals, and especially parents who know their children best, as a village of care.”

If you ask pediatrician Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine, she will tell you, “It should be no different than if a child has a physical condition, such as asthma. We know our patients from the beginning of their lives and have the capability to

Primary care physicians, mental health nonprofits, and systems leaders have converged and diverged on the best way to come together, encountering obstacles at every turn, but never losing sight of what was possible.

Part 1: The Vision for the Road Ahead

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Photo © Monkey Business / Adobe Stock | # 271208929

“There are pediatrician practices and community children’s mental health champions who have held onto the vision for decades, working together to overcome what have often felt like impossible barriers to care—lack of insurance coverage, mental health professional shortages, and spiking mental health needs made worse by the pandemic,” said Lauren Zuchman, BeWellPBC executive director. “Now the vision is in focus and Palm Beach County is grabbing onto this moment, inviting more partners to come together and take action, with pediatricians as first responders in a comprehensive system of care.”

Renée Layman, president and CEO of the Center for Child Counseling, has been a passionate advocate and major partner in the county helping move from talk to action.

“It’s been such a relief to get through that hard and messy middle where there was distrust between the systems and we had to have really hard conversations to make things right,” she said. “Now we have more trusting, open relationships, and we’re collaborating on data and outcomes for patients. That’s huge.”

Studies show that 75% of children under age 18 present to primary care for psychiatric needs, and 50% of primary care visits are related to psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral concerns.

Since 2010, Layman and Dr. Fox have been building the relationship between their two organizations and a model for a closed-loop referral system to treat the whole child as an example for the rest of the county.

Together, Dr. Fox, Layman, and Zuchman, along with more than 35—and growing—PIC individuals, organizations and entities, are on a mission to identify challenges and opportunities for pediatric practices, address specific systemic barriers to integrated care, and document standard of care guidelines that are scalable for other practices to learn from and follow.

Momentum is on their side. Multiple initiatives are converging to bring the vision to fruition, including: •

The Florida Department of Health Children’s Medical Services (CMS) invited PIC partners BeWellPBC, Florida Atlantic University, and Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, to develop a local behavioral health hub/Pediatric Behavioral Health Collaborative site as part of a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 5-year grant and an expansion of original statewide efforts.

•

The PIC Parent Advisory Council is providing insights and influence to pediatricians and partners while offering support to caregivers based on their lived experiences.

•

The Palm Beach Pediatric Society is preparing to relaunch with pediatric integrated care as its central focus.

For Sherrah Hill-Lavin, a mother of six children and a member of the project’s Parent Advisory Council with her husband Brandon, PIC is coming into focus for her as well. “We're hoping the outcome from this project is that the process is streamlined and mandated across the state of Florida for every child to get the proper mental health services.”

Photo © Share Faith

Come with Us on Our Journey In each bi-monthly issue of The Well of PBC through June 2025 we will share PIC’s progress, bringing you the voices and stories behind this important initiative, shining a light on the victories large and small, and revealing where obstacles remain. Our coverage will include: • Policy • Research and a standard of care • Creating a community of practice • Strengthening community connections • Provider communication

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/ SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT:

Meet Christina Belony, Psychiatric Registered Nurse

"My career goals are to open a mental health facility where I am able to provide free services to individuals in the community who cannot afford it. "

I

always knew as a young girl that I wanted to work in the healthcare profession, either as a nurse or a doctor. At the tender age of nine years old, my father was diagnosed with cancer. This diagnosis changed my entire trajectory. Not only did it solidify my drive to work in healthcare, but it also began to prepare me for the impact that I would one day have on my patients. Watching my father go through chemotherapy, radiation, depression, and all the unwavering side effects that he suffered was overwhelming. As a result of everything, I also started to feel depressed because I thought I was losing my father, and in a way I did. Watching the nurses care for my dad, the compassion they showed him, and the patience they had was very comforting for him and myself. I saw a shift in his spirits, and at that point, I decided I wanted to become a nurse because I wanted to help other patients feel this way too. Once that decision was made, I now began to think about what population of patients I want to work with. I knew in my heart I could not be an oncology nurse because it hit so close to home.

As I continued my journey, my answer came to me. In the beginning of my teenage years, my younger brother began to act out. One day, my brother threatened to harm himself. My parents, being from a third world country, did not completely understand what was going on. As a result, they called the police, and my brother was Baker Acted and was taken to a mental health hospital. At the time, I had no idea what it meant to be mentally ill. The situation with my brother prompted me to do research and I realized this was and would become a bigger prevalence in the future. This was the beginning of my journey to becoming a psychiatric registered nurse who would eventually go on to pursue an advanced degree in mental health.

As a current psychiatric registered nurse and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner student, my professional goal is to obtain my Doctor of Nursing practice so that I can leverage myself to be able to provide services to underserved populations.

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My career goals are to open a mental health facility where I am able to provide free services to individuals in the community who cannot afford it. I also plan to travel back to my parents' birthplace of Haiti, and also provide services there. Mental illness is seen as a sign of black magic and therefore, most individuals do not seek help.

The care and compassion that I have given my patients has made a difference. Just recently, I had a patient that was admitted to the psychiatric unit after an attempted suicide. She had a history of seizures. As she was being transported to the unit, she began to have a seizure and had to be rushed to the emergency room. After about thirty minutes, she was brought back to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of pseudo seizures. Close to shift change, the patient began to have more seizures. She had 6 seizures in a 15-minute timeframe. The emergency room was adamant that the seizures were not real, and they would not accept the patient. They even went as far to say, it's a mental thing. I was more adamant than them and fight against the stigma around mental illness. After some time, they finally accepted the patient, and I wheeled down to the emergency room myself.

After a week, I received a phone call on the unit and it was this patient thanking me for being her voice of reason and fighting for her. She was extremely grateful and promised me that she would be changing her life around. My biggest challenge in my career would be getting the community to see mental illness as any other illness that exists. Being mentally ill should not equate to the mistreatment of individuals. The greatest reward of my career has been seeing the smile on the faces of my patients when they begin to return to a state where they are able to function appropriately. I truly believe my greatest reward in my career will be when I can truly give back to the community and continue to bring much needed awareness to mental illness.

Photo courtesty of Christina Belony

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With a readership of thousands that covers Belle Glade to Lake Worth Beach to Jupiter to Boca Raton, The Well of PBC is a comprehensive, community-directed resource, dedicated to elevating the voices and concerns of all who call Palm Beach County home. Please join us as we advocate for mental health and work together to transform the behavioral health landscape. Your commitment helps us do exactly that.

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