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JULIE KHANNA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Ican tell you exactly what a Polar Cup tasted like on a sweltering August day right before the storm clouds rolled in and I can hear a song blasting out of a car stereo on 441 and immediately feel transported back to The Palace Ice Skating Rink on a Friday night.
I can tell you which local photographer will best capture your family’s light, who to call when your car needs an oil change and which vet will take care of your pet as if it were their own.
Growing up in Central Palm Beach County shaped the person I am and as a result, I made the conscious decision to raise my children here and invest in the community that invested so much in me.
As I have grown and gotten to know more people, I remain continually amazed at the wealth of resources we have here and the tireless efforts of folks with boots on the ground who work so hard to ensure people get the support they need.
Over the past five years as editor-in-chief of The Well of PBC, my knowledge of local resources has grown exponentially and I can tell you exactly who to speak with if you know a returning citizen who needs help getting reacclimated after incarceration or if you need diapers or if you need behavioral health services for someone you love in crisis.
It is my honor to share this information with you and in this issue of The Well of PBC, we are focused on the tireless efforts and innovation of Palm Beach County’s civic leaders as well as its residents to make our community a better place to live for all of us.
Former state attorney general and Florida’s “drug czar” Dave Aronberg spoke with us about his experience battling the opioid epidemic, Medical Academy CoDepartment Chair at West Boca Raton Community High School Michelle Lynne talked about the expansion of the behavioral health technician program in Palm Beach County and the innovations which are driving a necessary career path for our young people and our friends at The Lord’s Place explain the correlation between stable housing and substance misuse. Vice President of Community Programs, Cristina Lucier put it best in her article: “when individuals are housed, connected, and supported, recovery becomes not just possible, but probable.”
When we are connected and supported, we thrive and my sincerest hope is that all of us thrive together.
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
To share feedback, obtain advertising information, or contribute, please reach us at thewell@bewellpbc.org.
/ THE MISSION
Our mission is 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 communitydirected 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.
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 noncommercial 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-ofpbc/ including the words “Read in full, visit https://www.bewellpbc.org/media/thewell-of-pbc/”
2) The redistributed article may not be abridged, edited or altered in any way without the express consent of the author.
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. 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.
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.
Photo
JULIE KHANNA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Julie, CEO of Khanna Connections, enjoys using her creativity to help health and wellness industries communicate with their audiences.
ZUCHMAN
ADVISOR
Lauren is a licensed clinical social worker and Palm Beach County resident and professional with commitment to advance health and wellness for every person across the 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.
OTERO
CONTRIBUTOR
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.
KATRINA BLACKMON
MARKETING MANAGER
Katrina, CEO of Unity3 Palm Beach and Community Action & Communications Administrator at BeWellPBC, brings over 25 years of executive advertising experience to The Well of PBC. Her passion for faith, family, and Palm Beach County’s diverse community drives her commitment to uplifting voices and advancing wellness through media and engagement.
ELDER
CONTRIBUTOR
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.
ALITA FABER
EDITORIAL SPECIALIST
Alita, BeWellPBC Coordinator, wishes to help make the behavioral health field more equitable and accessible for all in Palm Beach County, including those seeking services and those looking to work in the field.
JESSIE PRUGH
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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.
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
MELANIE
JAIME JOSHI
LAUREN
We Are More Than One Story: The syndemic approach as a solution for complex lives.
By Melanie Otero
You exchange greetings with Johnny every morning on your way to work in downtown West Palm Beach, where the street is his home.
He's showing signs of mental illness and substance use.
And he is living with HIV.
If you had a magic wand and could help Johnny with one—and only one—of these interconnected challenges: his homelessness, his behavioral health struggles, or his HIV, which would you choose?
Health and social services professionals struggle with this decision every day in a system designed around categories, not human complexity. Where people like Johnny, who experience co-occurring challenges, face a scavenger hunt for survival, and each agency holds one piece of the puzzle.
Dr. Casey Messer, program manager of HIV elimination services at Palm Beach County Community Services, is on a mission to adopt a new integrated care model that puts the
pieces of the puzzle together to address what Johnny and others are facing throughout the county: a syndemic.
Most people have heard of an epidemic or a pandemic, which focuses on the spread of a single disease, such as COVID-19, but a syndemic is a new term for many.
“A syndemic is when two or more conditions cluster in a population and they interact with each other in ways that make each condition worse,” Dr. Messer explains. “What we're experiencing here in Palm Beach County is a syndemic that exists between HIV, behavioral health and substance use disorders, and homelessness, where those conditions are interacting with each other in such a compounded way that the success of outcomes for any of those conditions is directly influenced by the others.”
Put more simply, Dr. Messer adds, “No one has a single story of their life. It's a complex story.”
Historically, systems have largely focused on—and been funded to address—only one chapter at a time.
“In a traditional system, we’ll say, let's end HIV, let's end homelessness, or let's address the opioid crisis,” Dr. Messer said. “A syndemic framework calls for integrated multi-level strategies that address those co-occurring conditions together while targeting the structural factors that contribute to them, things like poverty, education, and employment that enable those conditions to be able to cluster.”
All three conditions are connected and intensify each other, regardless of where someone's story begins.
Johnny's story could have unfolded in multiple ways. Perhaps he lost his job, which led to homelessness. The trauma of living on the streets may have triggered depression and mental health struggles, driving him to self-medicate with opioids. As his addiction progressed, it impaired his judgment and led to risky behaviors that resulted in HIV infection.
Alternatively, Johnny's challenges might have started with an HIV diagnosis. Without health insurance, the life-sustaining medications costing over $3,600 a month consumed his entire income, making rent impossible.
“A syndemic is when two or more conditions cluster in a population and they interact with each other in ways that make each condition worse.”
Financial instability, combined with HIV-related stigma and family rejection, left him with no support system. Depression and anxiety followed, and with nowhere else to turn, he found himself on the street.
It’s a no-win situation, explains Dr. Messer.
“They might make different choices and different decisions and be able to apply harm reduction approaches within their lifestyles, but they're limited by the overlapping conditions that they're experiencing.”
Recognizing this complex reality, Palm Beach County is pioneering a new way forward: the syndemic approach.
HIV in Palm Beach County
• There are approximately 9,000 people living with HIV in Palm Beach County.
• With treatment, HIV is manageable; without it, HIV is fatal.
• Without insurance, HIV treatment costs $3,600 for a 30-day supply of medication.
Dr. Casey Messer
“The problems are too vast, too big, too deep, unless we work together for the common good, and with the client.”
Early implementation proves successful
While the syndemic approach has existed for about two decades to address various health challenges, Palm Beach County could be on the cutting edge for combining HIV care and treatment, substance use disorder treatment, mental health services, and housing assistance into one seamless system. The county’s Community Services Department, where Dr. Messer works, has the unique opportunity to bring together the partners that occupy the different systems of care to think about solutions in a more holistic and integrated way.
One of the earliest implementations of a syndemic approach in Palm Beach County has been Florida’s Access to Syringe & Health Service Program (FLASH). The program launched in 2021 under the management of the nonprofit organization Rebel Recovery. FLASH provides syringe exchange services and offers harm reduction and a range of community-based prevention programs and services to people who use drugs. Assistance includes HIV and other infectious disease testing, medical and behavioral treatment and medication services, peer support, and access to housing services and referrals. More than 50% of FLASH participants experience homelessness.
“This was the first model that we intentionally implemented that took a syndemic approach, where it wasn't just focused on the one condition, but had access to services from all three syndemic components,” Dr. Messer said. “Individuals who engage in our syringe service programs have reduced use of substances and
risky behaviors, more engagement in the system of care, and a pathway to care and treatment that ordinarily would not exist without that syringe services program. We're working to expand this syndemic approach across all our systems.”
While the FLASH approach begins by targeting people who use drugs, a partnership between the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and Community Services begins at the county’s four centers for people experiencing homelessness. One of the Health Care District’s mobile “clinics on wheels” visits each center once a week, and more as needed, to provide medical and behavioral health services, including general medicine, psychosocial assessments by a licensed clinical social worker or a licensed mental health counselor by telehealth, telepsychiatry, and pharmacy services. By offering a “onestop shop” model of comprehensive medical care at sites throughout the county, the Health Care District’s mobile clinics are expanding much-needed access to health care for the homeless by meeting them where they are.
Wendy Tippett, Palm Beach County’s director of human services and community action, has witnessed the immediate advantages of addressing health issues with care and compassion while simultaneously connecting people to social services if they qualify.
"We've been able to ask the right questions to get people to open up, so we can address not only their homelessness but also identify past trauma and determine whether that trauma has affected their physical health and their disability status,” Tippett said.
Photo submitted
Wendy Tippett
The path forward
While early efforts are promising, many barriers lie ahead.
Federal government budget cuts will eliminate significant funding to local health and human services programs.
Affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness is becoming increasingly scarce.
And some county frameworks and funders are not yet committed to an integrated vs. sequential approach.
Dr. Messer is convinced that the current environment is proof positive that a syndemic approach is not one way to address Palm Beach County’s multiple challenges, it is the only way.
“When our systems are challenged and we have not achieved the success that we want, it forces us to think about it differently,” he said. “We're in a state of transition at this point in Palm Beach County, where we have the knowledge and awareness that a syndemic exists. We know that resources are going to be limited or are going to shift in the very near future. We're at our breaking point where we have to make decisions to work together, be innovative, and achieve positive outcomes.”
Tippett agrees.
“There is not one agency that can do this alone,” she said. “The problems are too vast, too big, too deep, unless we work together for the common good, and with the client.”
So, what does the syndemic approach look like in practice for Palm Beach County, according to Dr. Messer?
• Build on initial successes.
• Direct sustained investment in integrated models comprised of housing, behavioral health, primary care, and public health in co-located spaces.
• Include community voices and lived experiences in the shared decision-making.
• Collect data and evidence to show the impact of the syndemic approach.
• Embed syndemic thinking as the standard approach across all county health and social services.
What might the result of the syndemic approach look like for Johnny?
He walks into a housing resource center where a case manager talks to him about his housing options. While he’s there, he’s asked about his HIV, provided a medical exam, and offered treatment options. A licensed social worker inquires about his mental health, recommends access to support as part of his comprehensive plan, and connects him with a peer to help him stay on track. Johnny’s success is reliant on the success of the approach, says Dr. Messer.
“If we try to combat individual conditions, we will not be successful. We will spin our wheels. Individuals will fall in and out of care, in and out of homelessness, in and out of recovery, and not be able to have long-term success until we're able to work together to address all these components and end the syndemic by taking the syndemic approach.”
Dr. Messer will not give up until this story has a happy ending.
“We're not there yet, but I am fighting so hard to get us there.”
Photo by Alex Green
The EveryParent App is better than ever!
• Weekly updates on fun ‘Things to Do’ in your community
• Timely notifications with info specific to your child’s age
• Videos and articles that answer your toughest parenting questions
• Connections to Palm Beach County resources and programs that can help
“What are your thoughts about the accessibility of behavioral health and substance abuse services in Palm Beach County?”
Dr. Rachel Needle, North
“Palm Beach County has made meaningful progress in expanding behavioral health and substance use disorder services, offering more treatment options, integrated care models, and community-based programs than ever before. Initiatives like mobile crisis units, school-based prevention, and medicationassisted treatment have helped move the system in the right direction.”
Ana O., Central
“I have been lucky enough to be professionally involved with an addiction recovery center and seen how hard the staff works behind the scenes with everything from treatment to fundraising. While my personal experience might be considered sheltered, I know numerous people in our community who have accessed substance abuse services and know there are various channels to seek rehabilitation services in Palm Beach County.”
Aruna Gilbert, West
“Behavioral health access in Palm Beach County remains fragmented due to inconsistent terminology that conflates behavioral health with mental health, creating barriers to comprehensive care and perpetuating stigma that prevents families from accessing the coordinated, ecosystem-based support children actually need.”
Matt Constantine, South
“The impact of housing instability on an individual or family’s mental health cannot be understated. The role that behavioral health services can play is significant. When we work to address issues on all levels, we can begin to serve in a way that will change outcomes and provide stability for all impacted.”
Erick Quiros, East
“When it comes to accessing behavioral health services in Palm Beach County, I feel like it should be better communicated. In my work, I visit county jails, I visit hospitals and I see they have access but I think it should be easier.”
“Dance unbinds us. We can bend and yield to sorrow’s weight. We can stomp out whatever feels unfair. We can jump for joy. We do not have to wait for discomfort to pass. We can learn to dance with it and let it go.”
To Support Mental Health, Learn to Dance It Out
By Gaynelle Gosselin | @gaynellegosselin.bsky.social
The root of “emotion” is “motion.”
Really.
It comes from a Latin word meaning to “move out.” The feelings we allow to flow through us cannot hurt us and the ones we hold inside can harm both our mental and physical health.
Dance liberates us from holding, offering a safe outlet to express emotions without having to talk about them. It helps us learn that feelings are temporary and we can change them just by changing our movements. Sharing the dance, we move out of isolation and into community.
Emotions are physical. We experience the downward pull of grief, the clenched jaw of anger, and the jumpy alertness of anxiety. Hopefully, we also know the spring in our step that arises from happiness, and the uprightness self confidence brings.
Our culture values “feel good” emotions like pride and joy, but discourages expression of uncomfortable ones like anger and grief. In the effort to suppress pain, we limit our capacity for joy. Worse, we may resort to actions that harm ourselves and others.
Dance unbinds us. We can bend and yield to sorrow’s weight. We can stomp out whatever feels unfair. We can jump for joy. We do not have to wait for discomfort to pass. We can learn to dance with it and let it go.
Dance honors our whole being.
No feeling is denied, and no feeling is final. Surrendering to gravity allows us to rise up with strength. Shaking our bodies, we shake off our hurts and fears, making room for something new - a settling calm, a comforting sway, or an exhilarating whirl. Embracing ourselves, we feel safe reaching out, knowing we can always come home.
Photo by Lisa Nalven
This is the magic of movement. When we stop holding on to ourselves, when we allow our emotions time and space to move, we have more choices about how to show up in the world.
Sharing the dance with others, we connect on a level beyond words. Martha Graham once said, “The body doesn’t lie.” There’s an honesty inherent in dancing that can strengthen relationships. Dance partners experience the power of cooperation and trust. By mirroring or shadowing movements, we step outside ourselves and affirm one another. Dancing in groups builds solidarity, pulling us out of loneliness and isolation.
There’s a saying in brain science, “Neurons that fire together wire together.” We might say that communities of people who sway together, stay together.
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.
Photo by Lisa Nalven
Photo by Mary Stucchi
thE SOurce thE SOurce
As any parent knows, there is no dearth of (often conflicting) opinions on how to raise a child.
From cited studies from lauded academic institutions to wellmeaning friends and family offering advice to TikTok hacks, there is so much information out there and it can get a little overwhelming.
The team at The Well of PBC has curated a few resources which elevate local voices, highlight conversations
happening on a national scale, and bring together the community in solidarity and celebration.
Our goal in publishing the following resources is to provide information and serve as a source of hope. The Source is your resource to find what you need to thrive.
If you have something you’d like to share, we encourage you to email us at: thewell@bewellpbc.org and tell us about it so we might highlight it in a future issue.
The Mental Millennials (podcast)
South Florida-born and raised podcasters and best friends, Elizabeth Joseph and Suquoya Tyler co-host The Mental Millennials podcast and cover everything from the mental health ramifications of dating to politics to gender identity. Their bold, unfiltered and unapologetic perspectives are shaped by a mutual passion for justice, politics, pop culture and their faith and resonate with not only millennials but anyone looking for an engaging, relatable conversation.
Mind Calm - Peace with Mind is Possible (event)
Bonni Smith, a trained holistic meditation therapist, is hosting a three-week course at the main campus of the Palm Beach County Library. Meditation has been proven to increase sleep quality, enhance emotional regulation and even help with focus and memory. These sessions are free and open to everyone from beginners to those with more experience.
Tribe of Legend: Book 1 The Awakening by Markee Drummer (book)
A bildungsroman which marries the mythic with the every day, Tribe of Legend: Book 1 The Awakening tells the story of high school basketball star Ronin Drummond and how losing the state semifinals awakens visions and cryptic messages for him, hinting that he is part of something greater than the game he loves.
West Palm Beach author Markee Drummond was born and raised in West Palm and centers South Florida as the setting for his book. He states that, “I realized I only ever wanted to give something back to the world and become an everlasting beacon of inspiration and empowerment,” which is the crux of the world he has created in Tribe of Legend.
Sunset Stroll (event)
Going for a walk isn’t just beneficial for your physical health but can also benefit mental health significantly as well.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach is hosting a Sunset Stroll on September 11 between 5:30pm-8:00pm.
In addition to strolling through the beautifully manicured gardens, guests
Through story, we share knowledge, inspire and incite change. The Speaker’s Bureau Program is a powerful opportunity for Holocaust Survivors, WWII Veterans and second and third-generation descendants of Holocaust survivors.
Hosted by non-profit inSIGHT Through Education, this program is designed to help participants preserve and share their family stories through a series of guided workshops which teach how to explore family archives, develop compelling narratives and speak in classrooms and other
will also enjoy a taiko drumming performance and experience The Journey of Japanese Fashion: Heisei (1989–2019) to Reiwa (2019–Present), an exhibit and fashion show highlighting the evolution of Japanese fashion from the Heisei to Reiwa era.
Tickets are only available online and can be purchased at the link above.
inSIGHT Through Education Speakers Bureau Program (training)
settings with confidence and purpose. Led by awardwinning storyteller, educator and author of We Share the Same Sky, Rachael Cerrotti, this program helps empower second and third generation family members to carry their grandparents’ and parents’ legacies forward and make a lasting impact on the next generation.
Sessions begin this fall. For more information, contact inSIGHT Through Education at: info@ insightthrougheducation.org
“This course (is) the first of its kind for high school students thus allowing a streamline to professions/ careers in the people helping people space...”
Reflections on the Behavioral Health Technician Program
By Michelle Lynne APRN, BHT, Medical Academy Co-Department Chair | West Boca Raton Community High School
The 2025-2026 school year will be the fourth year of the Behavioral Health Technician Program in the Palm Beach County High School Medical Academy Programsa course that was originally designed to fill a gap between many other health career clusters already available to Palm Beach County students.
Due to the pressing need for more mental and behavioral health professionals in our community, BeWellPBC, The Palm Beach County School District, The Florida Certification Board and several other entities chxcampioned for this course to become the first of its kind for high school students thus allowing a streamline to professions/careers in the people helping people space.
The ultimate goal of the program is to inspire youth to serve as behavioral health professionals in our community. Our curriculum prepares students for entry level, critically needed employment as Psychiatric Technicians/ Behavioral Health Technicians, Health Care support workers and Community Health Workers. The added hope
is that students further their education in post secondary, graduate and medical school to become school counselors, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists treating people here in Palm Beach County and across the nation."
In accordance with the course standards, students are exposed to many professionals in the community via guest lectures, interactive lessons, role play scenarios and university research and some schools provide internship opportunities as well.
The curriculum encompasses the definitions, diagnoses, pathophysiology and all the various treatments for mental and behavioral health conditions. We focus on projectbased and small group learning with case studies and a celebrity biography in addition to having a student create a Public Safety Announcement (PSA) regarding any of the various topics discussed in class.
“Upon reflection as a teacher of this course for the last three years, I’m happy to say many of my students will indeed pursue the behavioral health careers we were hoping to inspire as well as others such as neuroscience and behavioral sciences. ”
At the end of the course, students are surveyed and report being better informed and educated on the different types of careers possible in this space as well as the different career paths many of the working people in this arena followed. Students who complete the course have the opportunity to obtain their Provisional Behavioral Health Technician Certification through the Florida Certification Board.
Upon reflection as a teacher of this course for the last three years, I’m happy to say many of my students will indeed pursue the behavioral health careers we were hoping to inspire as well as others such as neuroscience and behavioral sciences. Overall, inspiring young people to be more aware of their own, as well as their friends, family, and community mental health needs, is an empowering experience. None of which would be possible without the many people and generous grants supporting this critically needed career pathway.
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.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out and talking with someone can be lifesaving. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org, to connect with a trained crisis counselor who is ready to listen and help.
It can be difficult to know what to do when someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide—but your actions can make a difference. The 988 Lifeline encourages the use of the 5 Action Steps to guide your response:
• Ask – Don’t be afraid to ask directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking in a compassionate, nonjudgmental way will not increase risk. It shows you care.
• Be There – Listen with empathy. Let them
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express their feelings without judgment. Simply being present can provide comfort and support.
• Keep Them Safe – If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Remove access to means of self-harm whenever possible.
• Help Them Connect – Call or text 988 with them or on their behalf to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Encourage ongoing support from mental health professionals, family, or friends.
• Follow Up – Continue to check in. A simple message or call can remind someone that they are not alone and that their life matters.
Together, we can build stronger, more connected communities that prioritize emotional well-being. If you or someone you know is in crisis, don’t wait.
Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—a caring professional is always there to help.
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.
Fighting the Florida Shuffle, Fighting the Opioid Crisis
By Dave Aronberg
I've always been interested in public service and elective office.
My grandfather, who I am named after and passed away before I was born, was the only public official in the family. He was the mayor of Ashland, Kentucky, and for him to succeed in politics back then, meant that he had some real skill.
I decided to run for state senate in 2002 after volunteering and being involved in political campaigns for years.
I was fortunate to win my first race and loved the opportunity to represent a sprawling district that stretched from West Palm Beach all the way to Fort Myers and Bonita Springs on the West Coast.
The reason why I wanted to be State Attorney is that it combines law and politics to protect public safety and save lives. My career priority has been fighting the opioid epidemic and being State Attorney put me in a role to make some major changes in the way we fought this scourge.
I am proudest of our Sober Homes Task Force which made 121 arrests in five years and led to dramatic decreases in opioid overdose deaths.
We targeted the corruption in the drug treatment industry, which few people had done before, and now I have my new book, Fighting the Florida Shuffle.
No journey is ever smooth. Especially not the ones that are worth the struggle when it comes to protecting public safety and saving lives.
The journey will never be in a straight line. It will never be easy, but it will be rewarding in the end because you have the ability to accomplish great things and make a real difference in the lives of so many.
I would probably not have become State Attorney had I not run for the Office of Attorney General in 2010 and lost the race in a Democratic primary.
“It is important to treat those under the throes of substance use disorder as individuals who need our help rather than our condemnation.”
The ultimate winner in the race, Republican Pam Bondi, then hired me as her drug czar. That was a rare instance of an elected official reaching across party lines for the sake of good government.
Together, we shut down the pill mills and reduced the number of deaths from oxycodone abuse dramatically. Losing that race was a blessing because it refocused my career on a true passion, saving lives from the opioid epidemic, and then led to my election as State Attorney.
Losing the race in 2010 after I had won all my prior races for state senate was a true test. Fortunately, I had a great support network and the ability to get right back into public service in a different role as an appointed official: the drug czar for the Attorney General.
I am most passionate about saving lives from the opioid epidemic. When it comes to addiction, it should be viewed as a brain disease and not a moral failing.
It is important to treat those under the throes of substance use disorder as individuals who need our help rather than our condemnation.
After all, the opioid epidemic was never inevitable. It was man-made. It was the perfect storm of corporate malfeasance, professional greed, political apathy, and regulatory failure. Innocent people went to the doctor to get relief from the pain of an injury, only to be prescribed a dangerous, addictive drug that should never be a medication of first resort.
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 Word" in the subject line.
SAMHSA's Working Definition of Recovery: A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a selfdirected life, and strive to reach their full potential.
Thinking Outside the Box: A
New Approach to Mental Health and Substance Abuse
By Dr. Monique Brown Faust, PhD, LMHC, MCAP, CIMHP
For far too long, the traditional model of behavioral healthcare has focused on the clinic—a brick-andmortar location where patients show up, sit across from a clinician, and somehow begin to heal.
Healing isn’t always found in a clinic and in my work as a licensed mental health counselor, master certified addiction professional and integrative mental health practitioner, I've learned that the most effective recovery journeys often begin in homes, in community spaces and within the body itself.
My mission is to uncover the root causes of co-occurring disorders and in my experience, mental health and substance use disorders rarely exist in isolation and are more than a matter of dual diagnoses. These are the reflections of complicated personal histories, trauma psychological imbalances and unfulfilled emotional needs.
In order to truly support an individual, we must look at the full picture - lifestyle, diet, stress, environmental triggers and biological functioning.
“My mission is to uncover the root causes of cooccurring disorders and in my experience, mental health and substance use disorders rarely exist in isolation and are more than a matter of dual diagnoses.”
Dr. Monique Brown Faust
“My vision for behavioral healthcare is one that reimagines recovery as a whole-person, holistic experience where barriers are removed and compassion replaces stigma.”
While I honor medication’s role in healing and stabilization, I don’t believe it is the only path forward and for some patients, it might not always be the best starting point. I choose to focus more on integrative treatment models that address the workings of the whole body such as gut health, hormone balance, sleep cycles, and nervous system regulation, all of which influence mental wellbeing.
We cannot separate the mind from the body and expect sustainable healing.
This outside-the-box approach means meeting people where they are literally and figuratively. It's about taking therapy into the streets, shelters, schools and sober homes. It's about teaching breathwork, trauma-informed yoga, and nutrition alongside relapse prevention. Create safety first then build trust and only then layer in clinical strategies.
My vision for behavioral healthcare is one that reimagines recovery as a whole-person, holistic experience where barriers are removed and compassion replaces stigma. The future of mental health and substance abuse treatment lies not only in what we prescribe but also in how intently we listen and connect, how creatively we respond and how holistically we choose to heal.
The Reservoir is the cultural space for contributors to highlight customs, celebrations, holidays, rituals, and more. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with "The Reservoir" in the subject line.
Photo by Samson Katt
Photo by Vie Studio
The Intersection of Housing and Substance Misuse
Housing instability fuels addiction; The Lord’s Place supportive housing aids in recovery.
By Cristina Lucier, Vice President of Community Programs at The Lord’s Place
Stable housing, often taken for granted, is foundational to health, safety, and long-term well-being. Without it, individuals face higher risks of poor physical and mental health, fractured relationships, and ongoing instability. In Palm Beach County, these challenges are especially severe for those struggling with substance use, where homelessness can both result from and worsen addiction.
The Lord’s Place, the largest social impact agency serving people experiencing homelessness in Palm Beach County, recognizes housing as a vital social determinant of health and a cornerstone of recovery. For some clients, years of substance misuse have directly or indirectly led to losing housing. For others, substance use develops as a response to the trauma of homelessness—coping with constant danger, isolation, and despair through drugs or alcohol. The Lord’s Place meets individuals where they are, offering resources and support that help them regain stability–often starting with safe, stable housing.
“The Lord’s Place, the largest social impact agency serving people experiencing homelessness in Palm Beach County, recognizes housing as a vital social determinant of health and a cornerstone of recovery.”
Photo Credit: Tracey Benson Photography
The Lord’s Place Fortin Family Campus in West Palm Beach
“As our community continues to invest in behavioral health and housing solutions, we must recognize that recovery is not linear, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.”
Supportive housing models are critical in breaking the cycle of substance misuse and housing instability. The Lord’s Place offers a continuum of housing options that honor individual choice and readiness. For some, recovery-based housing with a sober community offers the structure and accountability they need. For others, lowbarrier permanent supportive housing—rooted in Housing First principles and supported by harm reduction and motivational interviewing—provides the safety to begin their recovery journey at their own pace.
The Lord’s Place’s work is informed by both best practices and lived experience. Trained peer specialists, many of whom have walked a similar path, build trust through empathy and authenticity. Their presence underscores a central truth of recovery: that healing happens in relationship. This person-centered approach is further reinforced by a multidisciplinary clinical CARE team that brings all departments together to support the whole person.
Data further underscores the connection between housing stability and recovery. Among adults in The Lord’s Place supportive housing, 42% identify as having a substance use disorder: about half cite substance misuse as a cause of housing loss, while the other half began or increased use after losing housing. Among the individuals who enter recovery, a considerable majority (84%) avoid a recurrence of use once housed with The Lord’s Place. These are not just numbers—they are lives reshaped by compassion, evidence-based care, and the transformative power of stable housing.
As our community continues to invest in behavioral health and housing solutions, we must recognize that recovery is not linear, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. But one thing is clear: when individuals are housed, connected, and supported, recovery becomes not just possible, but probable.
The Depth digs deep into faith and fellowship at the neighborhood level. Email thewell@bewellpbc.org with "The Depth" in the subject line for a chance to be featured.
Photo Credit: David Scarola Photography
Photo Credit:
Tracey Benson Photography
The Lord’s Place Café Joshua and engagement center at 2808 N. Australian Ave. in West Palm Beach
The Lord’s Place staff members at Burckle Place III, supportive housing for women in Lake Worth
The Opioid Crisis: A Beacon of Hope
Transcript courtesy of Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office
The opioid epidemic continues to cast a long shadow, but recent efforts in Palm Beach County and across Florida are showing promising signs of progress. A recent task force meeting highlighted significant decreases in opioid overdose deaths and emergency medical service responses, alongside ambitious plans for expanding treatment access and improving recovery support systems.
A Glimmer of Hope: Declining Overdose Rates
Palm Beach County is experiencing a notable downturn in opioid overdose fatalities. Between January 1st and July 9th, 2025, the county reported 57 total opioid overdose deaths, a stark contrast to 156 during the same period in 2024. This represents a 63% decline, a testament to intensified intervention strategies. Even when accounting for pending toxicology reports, the county anticipates a substantial 49% decrease from the previous year.
Similarly, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue data indicates a 25% decline in transports for suspected overdoses in the first six months of 2025 compared to last year. This positive trend is even more pronounced when looking back to 2017, the peak of the crisis, when there were 1,798 calls for suspected overdoses. Today, the number is 77% lower, signifying a remarkable shift in the local landscape of the opioid crisis.
Expanding the Reach of Recovery: FARR and Oxford House
Organizations like the Florida Association of
Recovery
Residences (FARR) and Oxford House are crucial pillars in the recovery infrastructure. FARR, which certifies recovery residences across the state, now boasts 272 providers and 9,741 beds statewide. Palm Beach County leads the way with 106 providers and 3,675 beds, making it the largest county in terms of certified recovery units. FARR is actively working to expand its presence on Florida's west coast, aiming to reach 10,000 beds statewide in the coming months. The certification process has also been streamlined, with providers now able to achieve certification in 30 to 60 days if all legislative requirements are met.
Oxford House, a network of self-run, self-supported recovery homes, continues to grow, with 265 houses across Florida and 2,375 beds. These homes are vital, particularly for their low-barrier access to recovery, and notably, nearly 75% of Oxford Houses in Florida have at least one member utilizing medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This highlights a growing acceptance and integration of evidencebased practices within recovery housing. Oxford House is also expanding its outreach to rural communities and establishing subcommittees to better serve veterans, bilingual individuals, and parents with children.
Photo by RDNE Stock project
The CORE Network: A Coordinated System of Care
A major statewide initiative, the Community Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network, is expanding rapidly, aiming for statewide implementation in all 67 counties by fiscal year 2025-2026. The CORE Network is a coordinated system designed to connect individuals in crisis to comprehensive treatment and recovery support. It emphasizes a "no wrong door" approach, ensuring access through multiple pathways:
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Paramedics can initiate MAT on-site and provide warm handoffs to long-term treatment.
• Law Enforcement: Officers, often first responders in crisis situations, are being trained in crisis intervention to offer compassionate care and connect individuals to CORE resources.
• Emergency Rooms and Hospitals: These facilities are encouraged to initiate MAT immediately and facilitate seamless transitions to ongoing care.
• Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) and Peers: Individuals with lived experience play a crucial role in building trust and guiding others through their recovery journey.
The CORE Network prioritizes low-barrier access to treatment, recognizing that not everyone requires inpatient care. The focus is on rapid stabilization and connecting individuals to long-term resources, including mental health services, housing assistance, and food support.
Incentivizing Progress and Addressing Challenges
To encourage continued progress, Florida is introducing performance-based incentives for CORE Networks. Counties demonstrating the highest population-adjusted percentage decrease in opioid-caused deaths can earn an additional $300,000. Furthermore, the top 10 performing CORE Networks will receive an extra $200,000. This innovative approach aims to reward effective strategies and foster competition among counties to improve outcomes.
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. In 2023, Palm Beach County saw a 2.5% increase in opioid-caused deaths, indicating that the fight is far from over. There's also a recognized need for continued education among medical professionals, particularly emergency physicians and hospitalists, to ensure consistent and appropriate MAT prescription. The integration of MAT into correctional institutions, as exemplified by the robust program in the Palm Beach County jail, is another crucial area for expansion.
Modernizing Zoning Laws for Recovery Residences
A significant legislative undertaking is underway to rewrite Florida Statute Chapter 419, which governs community residences. The current statute, considered archaic and in violation of federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws, has created hurdles for establishing much-needed recovery housing. The proposed rewrite aims to:
• Repeal discriminatory provisions: Eliminating arbitrary spacing requirements and definitions that unfairly target people with disabilities, including those with substance use disorder.
• Establish a uniform statewide standard: Providing clarity and consistency for zoning regulations across municipalities and counties, preventing costly lawsuits for local governments.
• Categorize residences by function, not size: Differentiating between "family community residences" (long-term, resembling a family unit) and "transitional community residences" (shorterterm, higher turnover), allowing for more appropriate zoning.
• Make FARR certification mandatory for permitted use: This critical measure would effectively weed out "scam artists" operating unregulated sober homes and ensure quality care.
• Address recovery communities: Providing clear guidelines for larger recovery facilities, ensuring appropriate spacing and licensing.
This legislative effort is a complex but vital step towards creating a more supportive and legally compliant environment for recovery residences, ultimately aiding in the broader fight against the opioid epidemic. The aim is to balance community integration with the operational needs of recovery programs, fostering an environment where individuals can truly heal and thrive.
The ongoing dedication of task force members, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and recovery advocates in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida offers a beacon of hope. While the opioid crisis remains a formidable challenge, the coordinated efforts and innovative strategies discussed at the recent meeting suggest a future where recovery is more accessible and sustainable for all.
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.
Living My Truth
By Willie Cooks
My name is Willie Cooks and I am a re-entry advocate, a reformer for The Reform Alliance Institute and an advisory board committee member for The Recovery Community Hub of Palm Beach County.
I am a person with a vision and passion to help and serve the underserved communities as well as the voice and body that does outreach at the highest level by providing an adequate peer support system that walks side by side with those in recovery who have experienced homelessness as well as re-entry.
I cover every spectrum of service to meet the needs of those who are suffering in our community as I myself, am a returning citizen who has been incarcerated and suffered from both homelessness and addiction issues.
“I am a person with a vision and passion to help and serve the underserved communities as well as the voice and body that does outreach at the highest level.”
Photos Submitted
My lived experience has provided me the necessary tools to be an effective advocate for those who are suffering from the same conditions as I once did.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve people I can relate to and my passion for the work I do in my community has been truly my purpose.
I am a living example of someone who overcame their struggles and now, my testimony is all about transparency, accepting the resources available to me and embracing peer support from those who believed in me. This helped to open up opportunities which have helped me get to where I am at now.
Now, I am a motivational speaker, mentor, leader, helper and a pillar in the community - working to support those who have lost hope.
I believe in the power of community and wish to serve as an advocate for every community provider whose passion leads them to support those in need.
Together, we are in the giving back business and together, we will overcome a loss of faith by holding each other’s hands until we complete the mission of making a difference.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve people I can relate to and my passion for the work I do in my community has been truly my purpose.”
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.
ACORNS:
By Michael Kane | Manager, Behavioral Health Services | Palm Beach County School District
Expanding Student Mental Health Support through School-Based Care
The well-being of children and adolescents is important. With 1 in 6 youth (6-17) experiencing a mental disorder each year 1 and increasing rates of behavioral and mental health concerns; school-based mental health care is a vital part of student support systems. Mentally healthy students are more likely to go to school ready to learn, actively engage in school activities, have supportive and caring connections with adults and young people, use appropriate problem-solving skills, use positive behaviors, and add to positive school culture.2 The Department of Behavioral and Mental Health is committed to continued expansion of student access to mental health support.
Mental health is our ability to live fully, engage with others, and respond to challenges.
Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Youth mental health can be understood as how they (youth) relate to others (social), how they feel (emotions), and how they act (behavior). It connects to resiliency (the ability to bounce back after tough times) and is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.3
It’s OK to be OK. It’s OK to not be OK. It’s OK to Ask for help.
Oftentimes young people are OK. They are managing their relationships, emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Sometimes they may struggle with how they relate to others, managing their emotions or managing their behaviors. When this happens, it is OK to ask for help.
POTENTIAL SIGNS THAT A YOUTH NEEDS HELP:
Young Children
• Frequent tantrums or frequent/intense irritability
• Frequent talk about fears or worries
• Frequent complaints about stomach aches or headaches with no known medical cause
• Sleeps too much or too little
• Frequent nightmares
• Not interested in playing with other children or difficulty making friends
• Academic difficulty or recent decline in grade
Older Children and Adolescents
• Loss of interest in things once previously enjoyed
• Low or no energy
• Sleeping too much or too little, or seems sleepy throughout the day
• Spending more and more time alone
• Avoiding social activities with friends and families
• Smoking, drinking alcohol, or drug use
• Engaging in risky behaviors alone or with friends
• Engaging in self harm behaviors
NAMI.org
The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory (2021). Protecting Youth Mental Health, Whitney DG, Peterson MD. US National and State-Level Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders and Disparities of Mental Health Care Use in Children.
Schools have highly trained and skilled professionals in place to support student mental health.
Any parent with concerns about the social, emotional or behavioral well-being of their child should contact their child’s school.
● Every District school employs a school behavioral health professional (SBHP). SBHPs support the personal, social, emotional and academic growth of students.
● Approximately 140 school psychologists are in place to provide a broad range of comprehensive services in mental health, learning and behavior.
● School counselors are in all schools to provide classroom lessons, individual and small group counseling and academic advising to students.
● Contracted mental health professionals are in place at 115 schools to provide individual counseling to students, with parental consent, at no cost to families. Co-located mental health services do not require a diagnosis and are provided on campus during the regular school day.
● Community-based agencies are partners in supporting students and their families. The District has 28 Behavioral Health Agreements and school staff can assist parents to get connected to the best resource.
Finally, parents or students can also look for information on the Caring First website (http://l.sdpbc.net/2zq6a). Search the website for more information on topics like Attendance, Student Safety, Bullying Prevention and Counseling. Navigate to the Student Support Tab to view a list of community agencies with Behavioral Health Agreements. The Department of Behavioral and Mental Health website can be found at http://l.sdpbc.net/v17y7
Bottom Line
The bottom line is the District has a great deal of mental health support available on campus for free. Call your child’s school and ask for help by talking to one of the professionals listed above. Youth mental, emotional or physical health, and well-being is important and schools are ready to partner with parents to create a safe supportive learning environment for children.
“Schools
have highly trained and skilled professionals in place to support student mental health. Ask for help at school by talking to a school behavioral health professional, school counselor, school psychologist or co-located mental health professional.”
