The Well of PBC - April 2024

®

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS | APRIL 2024

GHOSTS AND ANGELS IN THE NURSERY

+

BREAKING CYCLES

CREATING NEW BEGINNINGS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES

NURTURING MENTAL WELLNESS:

A SERIES OF MICRO-PRACTICES FOR ENHANCED BRAIN FITNESS

BREAKING THE SILENCE

TACKLING THE TABOO OF MENTAL HEALTH IN HIGH SCHOOL

PLUS: DECLUTTERING A PATH TO WELLNESS • THE POWER OF A BENCH 2ND ANNUAL POETRY MONTH YOUTH SUMMIT • AND MUCH MORE!

®

CONTENTS 8 FEATURE STORY Breaking Cycles: Creating New Beginnings for Youth and Families

12 THE RESERVOIR Transforming Communities: The Unique Culture of the Glades and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's Support

14 THE DRAW 2nd Annual National Poetry Month Youth Summit

34 THE FOUNTAIN Breaking the Silence: Tackling the Taboo of Mental Health in High School

18 THE PROVIDERS Ghosts and Angels in the Nursery

22 BEYOND THE COUCH The Power of a Bench

24 THE REAL Get Your Green On: A Brief History Blanketed in Green

28 BEWELL NEWS 34 THE DEPTH

45 SPOTLIGHT

Being Jesus in the Neighborhood

In Memoriam: Carlos Edwards

40 THE SOURCE

Your Questions Answered

44 BIRTH TO 22

Nurturing Mental Wellness: A Series of Micro-Practices for Enhanced Brain Fitness

33 CORNER TALK What is a recent act of kindness you’ve experienced?

38 THE WORD

Decluttering a Path to Wellness

Birth to 22 Hosts Annual Task Force Meeting THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

3

®

/ LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Community building through elevating voices has been part of my professional life since I started working.

As an oncology unit nurse, I was proud to advocate for my patients and let them know there was a community rallying behind them through their illness. As a PR professional, the foundation of my career is based on sharing my clients’ expertise with the world at large and as the owner of a podcast studio, I want everyone to share their stories with the world.

As the editor-in-chief of The Well of PBC, I have the distinct privilege of working with people across Palm Beach County who are dedicated to building stronger communities and using our platform to ensure their voices are honored.

In the second issue of 2024, I am proud to say that I am continuing this tradition.

Reverend Founa Badet shared her story about the church she founded - Jesus Lounge Ministry - and how they are walking the walk by being “Jesus in the neighborhood” and serving those in need.

My good friend Deputy Kenneth Torrence, better known as Coach T to scores of young residents in the Glades, wrote about the unique culture of Palm Beach County’s western communities and how he is helping to shape the future of the area’s youth as well as bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community.

JULIE KHANNA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

“

THE WELL OF PBC IS THE PREMIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PUBLICATION IN PALM BEACH COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE STRENGTH OF YOUR VOICE...

And with a heavy heart, we memorialize Carlos Edwards. A pillar of the community, Carlos was a beloved member of the Pediatric Integrated Care Parent Advisory Council and a 2020 Be Well Do Well Mini-Grant awardee for his “I See You” project. He was a kind, generous soul, dedicated to his community and ensuring the equity and accessibility of mental health services. We will miss him deeply and hope his memory will forever remain a blessing to all those who loved him.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network for their generosity and for safeguarding the emotional well-being and drug-free living of children and families throughout South Florida.

I would also like to recognize the Get Your Green On campaign. For the past nine years, they have been working to ensure that Palm Beach County is a safe place for all its residents by raising awareness, creating visible support and fostering safe spaces to talk openly about mental health and trauma. Their work is at the heart of what we do here at The Well of PBC and we are honored to work alongside them.

As always, we welcome your thoughts about this month’s issue and encourage you to reach out to us via email or through social media.

The Well of PBC is the premier behavioral health publication in Palm Beach County because of the strength of your voice and we are so proud to honor those voices as well as the legacy of men like Carlos Edwards and everyone who serves as a force for good through the work we do here at The Well of PBC. Thank you for speaking up, being part of the mission and building a stronger Palm Beach County through the power of your voices.

With deep appreciation,

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

5

OUR 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.

6

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

®

/ MEET THE TEAM

LAUREN ZUCHMAN

JULIE KHANNA

PUBLISHER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MARKETING MANAGER

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.

Katrina, the founder, and CEO of Unity3 Palm Beach contributed her expertise in executive advertising spanning over twenty-five 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.

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.

JESSIE PRUGH

KATRINA BLACKMON

We are looking for people to contribute to our art, ask the experts, students, self-care, cultural, spiritual, and provider columns.

ALITA FABER

MELANIE OTERO

JAIME JOSHI ELDER

BeWellPBC STAFF Alita is the Networks & Special Projects Manager at BeWellPBC. Through her work, she wishes to help the field of behavioral health to become more equitable for the entire community, including those seeking services and those looking to work in the field.

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.

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 nonprofit 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.

Email us for our contributor guidelines, editorial calendar, or if you’d like to share a career opportunity or community event.

Email: thewell @bewellpbc.org Follow along at @thewellofpbc

Contributors to The Well of PBC do not need a degree or a background in publishing to have their voice elevated and their concerns addressed - they merely need to reach out and let us know they have something to say. Through crowdsourcing and fully engaging Palm Beach County residents to participate as contributors, The Well of PBC hopes to empower residents to serve as stakeholders who are fully immersed in the transformation of the behavioral health landscape of Palm Beach County.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

7

/ FEATURE

BREAKING CYCLES:

CREATING NEW BEGINNINGS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES

By Melanie Otero

It’s been said that we don’t heal in isolation but in community.

But too often, people struggling with their behavioral health go it alone. Some struggle with the cost of care.

Some have challenges so complex they can’t see their way to help. Others may distance themselves, avoiding human interaction. Whatever the reason, their path often feels like a lonely one.

Building trust slowly is essential, something traditional systems and insurance models rarely offer. “Some clients who have used other services and missed appointments may have their cases closed and have to start over again,” said Jessica Pagán, director of housing. “It can take a few times before a person engages and gets through the surface. It gets scary. Here, they can pick up again and continue where they left off.”

Two organizations in Palm Beach County are breaking through isolation by breaking cycles. One of homelessness. The other, a revolving door of youth inpatient treatment. Both are building community on the way to healing.

Breaking Barriers “We recognize mental health is a really important component to housing stability,” said Matthew Constantine, president and CEO of Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches (AAF) in Lake Worth Beach, FL, Palm Beach County’s largest service provider for families experiencing homelessness. “That’s our mission and our focus—to reduce episodes of homelessness. Once a family is housed, so many things can come into place.

And they often come into place once mental health is addressed.”

That’s why five years ago AAF proposed a new solution.

Embed mental health into their Lake Worth Beach campus where 112 families reside. The grant-funded program is overcoming both the physical and emotional barriers to care by creating an onsite community approach. No transportation barriers. No insurance barriers. And a therapist clients see as a neighbor, not an outsider, trained in the specialized circumstances of families and children experiencing homelessness.

8

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

“

Jessica Pagán, Adopt-A-Family

It can take a few times before a person engages and gets through the surface.

“

We don't see complex trauma typically as discrete events.

It's more the air they are breathing...

Mike Giresi, Family First Adolescent Services

Disrupting Patterns

At Family First Adolescent Services (FFAS), a residential program for boys aged 13–18 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, getting through the surface is about going beyond a behavioral health diagnosis.

“Most of our kids come to us with diagnoses of depression or anxiety,” said Ben Cecil, FFAS co-founder and chief operating officer. “Those are about as nondescript as a fever. We wanted to create something that honored the kind of complexity our youth are struggling with by addressing the underlying patterns that are driving behaviors rather than trying to eradicate or change symptoms and behaviors.”

Like AAF, it’s about consistency and community, but with more intensity for FFAS’s young male population and their parents. There is a high frequency of contact through individual therapy, group therapy, and counselors with low caseloads for 56 boys at a time across FFAS’s five locations.

While FFAS builds community inside their program, they strive to reconnect their boys with the first communities they’ve ever known—their families.

“We support both the family and the kids in care and ask them to ask themselves questions to take a look at underlying patterns that are driving things,” Cecil said.

“There's more space and availability for them to be in relationship with each other in a more complex way.”

From the moment their son enters care, parents begin weekly coaching and attend twice-weekly parent groups led by FFAS clinicians and twice weekly parent support meetings led by FFAS alumni moms and dads. The high frequency of contact may elicit a parent’s own patterns, creating an opportunity for FFAS to help them make

sense of their own early lives, how they adapted to the things that weren't available to them in their early environment, and how those adaptive patterns have informed the way they are parenting.

“The goal is to break the pattern where kids go through multiple treatments before the age of 18,” Cecil said. “Our hope is that the family has learned and understands a new way of talking to their kid. And that their kid is able to say what's going on with them in a way they couldn't before. Those two things oftentimes prevent youth from needing to leave their home for care again.”

Building Resiliency As much as AAF and FFAS rely on communitybuilding to strengthen their clients’ resiliency, both recognize how adverse childhood and community experiences, known as ACEs, contribute to trauma.

When Mike Giresi, FFAS chief clinical officer, explains the complex trauma his clients experience, he often refers to a graphic showing the three realms of ACEs— household, community, and environment—and people’s ability to respond to stressful events with resiliency.

“We don't see complex trauma typically as discrete events. It's more the air they are breathing,” Giresi said.

“It’s chronic exposure, day in, and day out, to a wide range of abuse, neglect, or what we call misattunement.

The people they’re communicating with are misreading where they’re coming from. And the environment that's completely in charge of their survival is failing them.

It has an incredible impact on both their developing physiology, their nervous system sensing threat, as well as the developing psychology of the child and their sense of self.”

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

9

Giresi explains that it's not what happened to kids that's causing their symptoms and behaviors, it's how they adapt to what happened to them.

“It’s shifting filters from shame, guilt, and self-hatred into curiosity, compassion, and presence,” he said. “The hope is that over time by continuing to deepen patterns, they're going to be more available to be in relationship with their parents, their friends, and their communities.

It sets up a new foundation for them to move forward.”

Clients in AAF’s Project SAFE program often come without any foundational support at all. They are heads of households, living with a disability, enrolled in a permanent supportive housing program.

“Project SAFE clients come to AAF without family support or social support,” Pagán said. “They begin to develop therapeutic relationships and start opening up once they are here.”

10

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

“They have been through so much,” added Constantine.

“They come with very high ACEs scores. To get them to sit down for even 20 minutes with the consistency of the same therapist is huge. And it’s a therapist who is here, at the heart of our community, who they know— that’s innovative for homeless services.”

Joan Kieffer, Adopt-A-Family

“

We are innovative for what we’re doing for the population we serve...

Matt Constantine, Adopt-A-Family

That therapist is Joan Kieffer, a licensed clinical social worker and a qualified supervisor with over a decade of service with AAF. She’s experienced in trauma and specializes in understanding the homeless system and the toll it can take parents and children.

lowest recidivism rates of any adolescent program in the U.S. since its founding in 2014, meaning their youth don’t return to residential programming or enter inpatient hospitals after they leave FFAS’s care—Cecil’s goal.

While individual therapy is important to AAF’s program, support groups and activities reinforce community. “They have a housing instability connection,” Pagán said. “They can see that they are not alone. Their neighbor is there, they share common threads and themes in their daily living. They can set goals and motivate each other. And they see our staff as part of their community, too.”

“Our kids are still going to struggle when they leave our program,” Cecil said. “We want them to be able to continue their lives in an outpatient setting, whether that's intensive outpatient or regular therapy. The biggest compliment we've ever gotten was from an outpatient therapist who said she could never do the type of work she’s doing now with one of our kids and his family. That means he learned how to struggle. That’s our job—to create and nurture a community where we are human and compassionate and support our kids in bringing things to themselves. That’s what really changes things.”

At FFAS, they are weaving in group experiences to their community to go more deeply into areas of complex trauma, such as anger and aggression, boundaries, and building relationships. Something as seemingly simple as a kayak trip can bring opportunities to work through patterns of behavior. One youth who protects himself through doing everything perfectly may get frustrated by his partner who is paddling in a way that veers them off course.

“We teach them and guide them and support them in learning how to own their part and express what it is that they're feeling and thinking and getting clear with each other, without assumptions,” Giresi said. “There are going to be ruptures in their relationships. What they can trust in is that there's going to be a repair on the other side of the rupture when it happens.”

Creating Breakthroughs What’s happened for FFAS and AAF as they break cycles is breakthrough success. FFAS has among the

At AAF, a nurturing community is changing things for families, too. Ninety-four percent of clients in AAF’s mental health program have remained housed, a higher percentage than AAF’s general population, pointing to the effectiveness of mental health services to stabilize a family and break the cycle of homelessness. What’s more, nearly half of the clients are new to therapy.

“We are innovative for what we’re doing for the population we serve,” Constantine said. “And we are surrounded by other agencies doing amazing work in mental health. It lifts everyone up. It’s a strong community effort.”

For more information: Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches: aafpbc.org Family First Adolescent Services: familyfirstas.com

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

11

/ THE RESERVOIR

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES The Unique Culture of the Glades and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's Support for Coach T's Initiatives

I

By Deputy Kenneth Torrence | Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

n the heart of Florida, the Glades region boasts not only picturesque landscapes but also a unique and vibrant culture.

Amidst the swaying sawgrass and tranquil waterways, the community's spirit is undergoing a transformation, thanks to the efforts of PBSO Deputy Kenneth Torrence, affectionately known as Coach T. Through his coaching and mentoring initiatives, Coach T is not only helping bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community but is also shaping the future of Glades' youth through the innovative CDC Method - Life-Skills, Choices, Decisions, and Consequences.

Coach T's approach is not merely about enforcing the law; it's about instilling life skills that empower the youth to make informed choices and understand the consequences of their decisions. The CDC Method forms the cornerstone of his coaching and mentoring philosophy, providing a

12

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

framework that extends beyond the sports field and into the fabric of everyday life.

Life-Skills, the first component of the CDC Method, are fundamental building blocks that Coach T emphasizes in his interactions with the youth. These skills encompass everything from effective communication and teamwork to problem-solving and resilience.

By integrating these life skills into coaching sessions, Coach T equips the youth with tools essential not only for success in sports but also

“

youth, encouraging them to make thoughtful choices both on and off the field. By emphasizing the connection between choices and outcomes, he empowers the youth to become responsible decision-makers, fostering a sense of accountability and self-efficacy.

Decisions, the third component of the CDC Method, takes the concept of choice a step further. Coach T guides the youth in understanding the significance of their decisions and the impact they can have on their futures. Through mentorship

Coach T's approach is not merely about enforcing the law; it's about instilling life skills that empower the youth to make informed choices...

for navigating the challenges of life beyond the playing field.

Choices, the second pillar of the CDC Method, underscores the importance of decision-making.

Coach T actively engages with the

programs, he provides guidance on critical life decisions, including education, career paths, and personal development.

From left to right: PBSO's Community Outreach Mentoring Program has high hopes and huge goals; Learning about safety and staying hydrated at Melissa's Place in Pahokee; Palm Beach County Sheriff's Foundation scholarship winner Nayeli Perez; Coach T and members of the Palm Beach County Police Athletic League pose in front of Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's parking spot.

Consequences, the final element of the CDC Method, serves as a crucial lesson in accountability. Coach T ensures that the youth grasp the concept that every decision carries consequences, both positive and negative.

This understanding not only promotes a sense of responsibility but also prepares them for the realities they will face beyond the structured environment of sports.

The impact of Coach T's CDC Method on the Glades' culture is evident in the success stories that have emerged from his coaching and mentoring initiatives. Many of Coach T's mentees have matriculated to college, joined the military, or pursued vocational training. This tangible outcome speaks volumes about the efficacy of integrating life skills, choices, decisions, and consequences into youth development programs.

However, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of PBSO Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. Not only does Sheriff Bradshaw support these initiatives in spirit but he consistently meets and engages with Palm Beach County’s youth. His support has been instrumental in allowing Coach T to pioneer initiatives that go beyond conventional law enforcement roles and his backing allows Coach T to extend mentorship beyond the sports field, guiding the youth in significant life decisions such as education, career paths, and personal development. This holistic approach prepares the youth for the complexities they will face as they transition into adulthood.

Coach T's transformative approach extends beyond the immediate community impact; it fosters lasting relationships between law enforcement and the Glades residents. By investing in the holistic development of the youth, Coach T and his fellow deputies become more than enforcers of the law; they become mentors and allies in the pursuit of a better future.

In conclusion, PBSO Deputy Kenneth Torrence, aka Coach T, stands as a catalyst for positive change in the Glades. Through the CDC Method, he not only bridges the gap between law enforcement and the community but also empowers the youth to navigate life with purpose and resilience. Coach T's commitment to cultivating success through life skills, choices, decisions, and consequences is shaping a new narrative for the Glades, one where the community thrives through collaboration, mentorship, and the transformative power of informed decision-making.

The Reservoir is the cultural space for contributors to highlight customs, celebrations, holidays, rituals, recipes, and more. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Reservoir” in the subject line.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

13

/ THE DRAW

2nd Annual National Poetry Month Youth Summit

By Desiree Reavis Founder - The Desired Group | National Poetry Month Youth Summit The Desired Group partnered with the City of Riviera Beach’s Parks and Recreation Department to produce the 2nd Annual National Poetry Month Youth Summit.

adding a community component to the event, the Huntt-LaFrance Charitable Trust also contributed $3000 in college scholarships awards for participants.

Poetry Summit founder Desiree Reavis is also the Inaugural Ambassador of Spoken Word to The Palm Beach Cultural Council and it was her passion to make this year’s celebration extraordinary. In addition to

Numerous non-profit organizations and community partners were on hand to offer resources to parents and students about programs and services available in Palm Beach County.

14

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

“

Founder Desiree Reavis’ vision for the summit is to celebrate National Poetry Month while empowering and motivating the youth through spoken word and creative writing.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

15

/ THE DRAW

• The City of Riviera Beach Parks and Recreation Department • The Grow Lit Project • South Florida PBS • Community Partners of South Florida • Digital Vibez • Khanna House Studios • Girls II Women • Riviera Beach Police Athletic League

The First Annual National Poetry Month Youth Summit was a huge success, inspiring a new generation of writers to express themselves, tell their stories and elevate their voices.

• Love, Hope, and Healing • The EJS Project • Hubbard Radio South Florida X102.3 • Kings Wellness Ranch • Talented Teen • Sincere 2000 • Freepreneurs • Youth Empowerment Center Lake Worth • For The Children Inc.

Desiree Reavis (The Desired Group), Katrina Blackmon(BeWellPBC), Cassy Romelus and Will Romelus (Digital Vibez)

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.

16

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

Founder Desiree Reavis’ vision for the summit is to celebrate National Poetry Month while empowering and motivating the youth through spoken word and creative writing.

As well as encouraging and elevating the development of students with memorization techniques, stage performances and public speaking skills, she wants to introduce various writing devices while promoting a positive mental health outlet.

“

Founder Desiree Reavis’ vision for the summit is to celebrate National Poetry Month while empowering and motivating the youth through spoken word and creative writing.

Katrina Blackmon (BeWellPBC), Karmiah, Winner of the 2024 National Poetry Month Youth Summit

The morning session of the event was for students. They worked with multiple facilitators and enjoyed entertainment provided by Digital Vibez and lunch.

At check-in, every student received a gift bag with a t-shirt, journal, raffle tickets and a meal ticket and thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we were able to offer numerous prizes to encourage students who aren’t poets to participate in the workshops.

Second place received a $1000 college scholarship.

Third place received a $500 college scholarship.

Some of the poetry judges were senior citizens for the Lindsey Davis Senior Center.

From noon to 3:00pm, we invited the public to attend our poetry competition.

The Desired Group is also hosting free creative writing and poetry classes every Wednesday at the Riviera Beach Library from 4-6pm located at 2129 N. Congress Ave Riviera Beach FL, 33404.

First place winner received a $1500 college scholarship.

For more information, please call 561-2156102 or email desiree@thedesiredgrp.com

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

17

/ THE PROVIDERS

Ghosts and Angels in the Nursery

By Dalecia Parks, LMHC Clinical Director - Child First Families First of Palm Beach County

18

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

F

amilies First of Palm Beach County has a mission to “build on families’ strengths,” which we carry out through many familycentered programs and services.

One of the services we offer is Child First, an evidence-based, relationship-focused, twogeneration, home visiting approach that partners with families, infants, and young children from pregnancy through age 5, to enhance strong, loving relationships.

Child First takes a unique approach to supporting families through a two-person team, including a Mental Health Clinician and a Care Coordinator, who collaborate with children and their families.

The Team works with families to build relationships while connecting children and families to needed supports in their communities.

Services are individualized for each family and may focus on a myriad of themes but ultimately, our goal is to reduce family stress and to support the caregiver-child relationship, which buffers young children from the impact of many ongoing stressors and challenges.

Stressors could include caregiver depression or mental health needs, intergenerational trauma, instability with meeting basic needs and various other factors.

Research shows us many of these factors can significantly impact and affect the relationship between the caregiver and their child, causing difficulty with buffering children from toxic levels of stress.

In addition, concepts like “Ghosts in the Nursery” (Fraiberg, et al., 1975), and “Angels in the Nursery,” (Lieberman, et al., 2005) illustrate the way our past experiences impact our internal working models (systems that form the basis for our beliefs and relationship patterns) and how caregivers interact with others, including their children.

In our work, we often act as translators, supporting children and caregivers who may have trouble communicating their needs, feelings, and thoughts with one another. In addition, we focus on building a caregiver’s reflective capacity and functioning. Reflective functioning helps the caregiver to understand their internal/ external processes and imagine or understand the processes of their child at the same time.

Often, when adults think about sharing their history and traumas with others who are not part of their family system, it is taboo and goes against their cultural practices.

It is crucial for us to be mindful of how intersecting identities and lived experiences impact the inner working model, and how social location directly affects our relationship as providers with families.

“

In our work, we often act as translators, supporting children and caregivers who may have trouble communicating their needs...

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

19

/ THE PROVIDERS

David and Melissa Teixeira

Khalil Gibson and Infinity McGrady

As providers, we remain cognizant of ethics and follow the pace of the family with respect to how they would like to move forward together and identify ways to address concerns that are impacting the family and identify safe ways to address those concerns.

Families First is a non-profit organization with over 30 years of commitment to Palm Beach County children and families. Child First services are available through partnership with the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County.

We engage families by building rapport, remaining open and curious and by working together to create emotional safety so that caregivers and children can explore and resolve stressful or traumatic experiences.

• Click here for more information on Families First of Palm Beach County

As Child First providers, creating safety within the relationship with the child and caregiver is a crucial element for us to establish trust.

Ultimately, through the parallel process (a way of being), caregivers and children can experience new types of relationships. Although we cannot control the past or the future, we can positively affect the impact of stressors through strong, nurturing relationships.

• Click here for more information on Child First

20

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

• Click here for more information on Children’s Services of Palm Beach County

References: (Fraiberg, S., Adelson, E., and Shapiro, V. (1975). Ghosts in the Nursery: A Psychoanalytic Approach to the Problems of Impaired Infant-Mother Relationships. J Am Acad Child Psychiatry.

Summer;14(3):387-421. doi: 10.1016/s0002-7138(09)61442-4. PMID: 1141566.

Lieberman, A., Padrón, E., Van Horn, P., Harris, W.H. (2005). Angels in the nursery: The intergenerational transmission of benevolent parental influences. Infant mental health journal, 26(6), 504–520. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.20071.

“

We engage families by building rapport, remaining open and curious and by working together to create emotional safety so that caregivers and children can explore and resolve stressful or traumatic experiences.

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.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

21

/ BEYOND THE COUCH

THE POWER OF A BENCH

The Power of a Bench campaign challenges others to sit and think of the important role a bench plays in our lives and how it builds community and connects us with one another.

By Loverly Sheridan www.buddyambassadors.com | www.takeaminutebench.com | @thepowerofabench

A

bench - a simple, yet very powerful tangible tool, which has not only provided support but also sustained and connected us throughout our lives - literally and figuratively - from inception.

The bench transcends time, people, and places. They are everywhere. They don’t discriminate, judge or hate.

They welcome everyone equally and wholeheartedly.

The bench is our friend. It connects us. It keeps our secrets, it helps us to cope, it tells our stories of strength, courage, faith and resilience.

And no matter what, it’s always there.

This is why we created The Power of a Bench campaign for mental health awareness - to remind

22

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

others of the vital role that this powerful tool has had and will continue to have in our lives.

The world is constantly on fast forward, and people are finding ways to cope and keep up. We often speak of mental health, but what are we doing to help preserve it?

The Power of a Bench campaign challenges others to sit and think of the important role a bench plays in our lives and how it builds community and connects us with one another.

Many shared their stories with us and as they began to share their collective stories, we were amazed by the true power of a bench, and how it has and continues to shape our lives.

This Take A Minute Bench at Carver Middle School in Delray Beach encourages students to pause and take a moment to reflect.

The Buddy Bench at Fuller Academy in Boca Raton. This bench was sponsored by the Vertical Bridge Charitable Network.

Every time you underestimate the power of a bench, ask an adult about those precious moments sitting on a bench with a friend or loved one. Ask them about the person who made the time and took a minute to sit, talk and listen to them when they needed it most.

The Power of a Bench campaign is a reminder for all of us to take a minute. As you go about your everyday demanding life, we want to remind everyone to find a bench, sit, TAKE A MINUTE for yourself, for others and to live and thrive more often in the NOW.

Ask them how our Take a Minute Bench in schools and in the workplace is reminding them of why it’s important to make time for themselves and others.

Taking one minute to connect with ourselves and others can make a big difference.

Beyond The Couch highlights nontraditional 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.

Ask a child about the buddy who took time to sit and talk with them on the Buddy Bench which is used for children in schools in their formative years to promote friendliness on the playground and safe spaces in schools. If a child is feeling left out, or doesn't have a friend to play with, they will sit on the Buddy Bench and one of their peers will reach out to them.

The bench is also used by teachers to promote empathy, compassion and kindness as well as for conflict resolution. We believe that the mental health of children should be prioritized just as much as their grades.

It’s important that we create a culture and environment in schools of support, and provide children the tools that they need to not just survive, but to thrive.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

23

/ THE REAL

GET YOUR GREEN ON: A BRIEF HISTORY

By Kenya Madison Senior Director, Healthier Delray Beach https://healthiertogetherpbc.org/our-communities/healthier-delray-beach/ | Blinq Card

I

n 2016 Healthier Delray Beach gave a “best shot” effort to change the world by creating and cultivating a globally intended campaign that would bring greater awareness to Mental Health and Trauma Informed Care.

The Get Your Green On campaign began in May 2016 as the Healthier Delray Beach initiative engaged resident leaders and local students through Teen Life in HDB campus clubs at Atlantic Community High School, Village Academy and Carver Middle School.

The shared vision was to bring greater awareness to May as Mental Health Awareness and Trauma Informed Care month while encouraging the community members to give attention to their own mental health and overall wellness.

During the month of May, the Get Your Green On campaign raises awareness about mental health conditions and those who live with them as well as to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. Green is the national color of mental health acceptance and is a recognized symbol in the mental health community.

It represents hope, strength, support and encouragement for people who live with mental illness.

The phrase “Get Your Green On” is the awareness campaign’s title and it’s also a call to action. The collaborative encourages individuals to wear green and post pictures on social media as a way of showing their support and commitment to mental health and wellness.

24

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

In 2017, Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures (an alliance of Palm Beach County community providers and champions) partnered with Healthier Delray Beach to take the campaign countywide. The Get Your Green On campaign is now celebrated in neighborhoods, schools, businesses, government agencies, media outlets and cities across Palm Beach County with proclamations, mental health events and activities and thousands of individuals wearing green and posting pictures on social media.

The Get Your Green On (GYGO) campaign aims to improve the physical and mental health wellbeing of youth and families in our community.

The #GYGO365 modifier was launched by Healthier Delray Beach in 2021 to further amplify unity among GYGO partners and create an additional platform to discuss mental health, trauma informed care and healing centered practices not just in May but all year long.

The Get Your Green On campaign sets a collaborative platform for self-awareness and community awareness by saying “It's okay to not be okay. Don’t remain stuck."

That's the message, that’s the call to action.

This campaign has empowered many people and will provide greater access to multiple resources and coping skillsets that become a “Green” light on the road to personal resiliency and building blocks that contribute to community healing.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

25

/ THE REAL

BLANKETED IN GREEN

By Katherine Murphy CEO, Nami Palm Beach County https://namipbc.org/ | @namipbc

The Get Your Green On campaign has caught on in a big way.

This is a testament to the growing acknowledgement of the need for open spaces to address our mental wellbeing.

M

ental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949.

This and every year since, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health by fighting stigma, providing support and educating the public about mental health. We hope that through our outreach, we can close the multi-year gap from the onset of symptoms to the access of treatment.

The Get Your Green On Campaign is a powerful local collaboration which fulfills all of these aims and in 2023, we reached new heights with the campaign.

26

events, wellness activities, community-building events and resource sharing and it is heartening to see so many community partners join together to discuss mental health.

On social media, Palm Beach County was blanketed in green - the national color for mental health awareness. The Get Your Green On campaign has caught on in a big way. This is a testament to the growing acknowledgement of the need for open spaces to address our mental wellbeing.

The signature event - the Fashion Art Ball exemplified the diverse ways we can address our mental health through art, music, dance, fashion and community building.

The power of GYGO is that it is a communityled campaign and everyone can participate in whatever way feels meaningful to them. As we move forward, 2024 provides even more opportunities to make the campaign unique and specific to the neighborhoods, businesses, classrooms, and groups who participate.

Over 4,000 people participated in GYGO events through trainings, commemorative

Please join us to amplify the message that “You Are Not Alone."

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

27

/ BEWELL NEWS

Nurturing Mental Wellness:

A Series of Micro-Practices for Enhanced Brain Fitness This Mental Health Moment is sponsored by Jill Merrell | Peace Joy Love Life Jill Merrell, Peace Joy Love Life

There’s no better time to explore mental well-being than in May - a month dedicated to Mental Health Awareness and Get Your Green On.

These observations are a gateway to understanding the state of our nervous system, indicating whether we're entrenched in the fight or flight response.

As a Mindful Living coach, I've had the privilege of engaging with individuals and organizations and shedding light on strategies to counter anything that may encroach upon peace, productivity and joy.

Meditation, when practiced regularly, provides numerous health benefits such as preventing the build-up of stress and overreactivity and helping to establish a peaceful new normal.

What proactive steps are you taking to nurture your mental health and enhance your brain fitness?

Before you answer, notice your breath. Is it short and choppy or long and smooth? Is your heart racing or do you feel at peace?

28

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

However, meditation is a learned skill and there are times when it is challenging to tap into this practice. For those times, I'd like to introduce easily accessible micro-practices—simple, yet potent techniques as a “quickfix” to recover and feel more peaceful that can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine.

You can also use these when

not feeling stressed as a way to “condition” your nervous system for peacefulness.

“

Meditation, when practiced regularly, provides numerous health benefits such as preventing the build-up of stress and over-reactivity and helping to establish a peaceful new normal.

“

Quietly repeating affirmation redirects focus from stress to peace.

Micro-Practices: Creating Moments of Peace These micro-practices offer solace in moments of distress and serve as anchors to the present.

Try them when you are only slightly worried about something and then choose the ones that you like best and practice Close Your Eyes: Even if just for half a minute. The outside world takes a backseat while you go within. You almost instantly regain a sense of balance and relaxation.

Count Your Breaths: It might help to silently count your breaths. In, count one; out, count two. All the way to 10. The mind might wander but keep focusing back to your breath and counting, calming your nervous system.

Create a Pause: Stop whatever you are doing and notice the feeling of your feet on the floor.

Count to 10, giving your nervous system a glimpse of the present moment.

Say a Prayer or Affirmation: Quietly repeating affirmation redirects focus from stress to peace.

Repeat your chosen phrase silently, seven times or more.

These can switch thoughts, replacing harmful thoughts with kindness and love.

Eventually you’ll create a new habit of thought.

Gratitude: Bring your attention to what you are grateful for in your current moment and list or write down 5-10 things you are grateful for. Try listing three things as you are falling asleep and three things right when you awaken so you always have a running list to go to when you need it.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

29

“

Smiling releases endorphins that reduce stress and help you feel better.

Studies have shown that even faking a smile can lead to feeling happier.

Slow Down: Do one thing at a time just a little slower than usual. Get up from your chair more deliberately or walk a bit more slowly. This helps ease tension, brings you back to the present and relaxes you.

One Good Thing: Think about an experience that happened today or yesterday that made you feel good. Notice how you feel when you reflect on it and savor it.

Excuse Yourself: Whenever you notice signals of stress in your body, simply excuse yourself, and walk away.

30 Second Body Scan: Bring your attention to the sensations felt through your body. Scan

30

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

your body from the top down, front and back, relaxing as you go. Relax your forehead, your eyes, your mouth, your tongue, your jaw. Lower your shoulders and soften your belly. Bring your attention to your hands, then your feet.

strive to educate and support our community by recognizing the importance of nurturing our mental landscape. Recognizing that there is a supportive community for all continues to give us such hope in the brain fitness and mental health space.

While these micro-practices offer solace, it's essential to recognize when additional support is warranted.

By integrating these micropractices into our routines, we embark on a journey towards enhanced brain fitness and a more peaceful and productive life.

Initiatives like BeWell PBC provide an array of resources to facilitate your journey towards your overall health and wellbeing.

Personally, professionally and in my philanthropic work, I

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID? Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.

On average,

From

to

WHO NEEDS TO KNOW MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID • Employers.

Nearly

• Police Officers.

• Hospital Staff.

people die by suicide every day.

people died from drug overdoses.

in the U.S. lives with a mental illness.

Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

WHAT IT COVERS

• First responders.

• Caring individuals.

Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE ):

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.

• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.

A ssess for risk of suicide or harm.

• How to interact with a person in crisis.

L isten nonjudgmentally.

• How to connect a person with help.

G ive reassurance and information.

• Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.

E ncourage appropriate professional help.

E ncourage self-help and other support strategies.

THREE WAYS TO LEARN • In-person (2nd Edition) – Learners receive their training during a 7.5-hour, Instructor-led, in-person session.

Sources American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Suicide statistics https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/

• Blended – Learners complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course, and participate in a 4.5- to 5.5-hour, Instructor-led training. This Instructor-led Training can be:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.) Drug overdose deaths. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/index.html

» A video conference. » An in-person class.

.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.).Mental illness https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

.

Learn more at www.AlpertJFS.org/MHFA Courtney Marx Mental Health First Aid Director 561-713-1851 CMarx@AlpertJFS.org

.

®

/ CORNER TALK

What is an act of kindness you’ve experienced recently?

NORTH

CENTRAL

WEST

EAST

SOUTH

To have your voice heard from your 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

33

®

/ THE DEPTH

Being Jesus in the Neighborhood

By Reverend Founa Badet Jesus Lounge Ministry | @JesusLoungeMinistry

J

esus Lounge Ministry started in September 2011 with an idea to create community service and activities. It was started by Reverend Founa Badet, an ordained minister with the Church of the Brethren with a Facebook page and an email address created on September 18, 2011, a ministry of daily verse text message and weekly email devotional. The vision was and still is a safe and loving place for all who want to be in a community as we worship the Lord together and serve.

We have our WhatsApp page for daily prayer and devotions and the different ways where we can be reached. “Where the needs of Jesus Christ and His People are met.”

During the pandemic, Jesus Lounge Ministry started a daily prayer line at noon and midnight; regular devotionals and resources provided as needed virtually. The ministry even gave birth to a Women Ministry in August 2021 called Women of Impossibilities. We have a leadership team and were accepted as a fellowship on November 4, 2023, with the Atlantic Southeast District of the Church of the Brethren.

For the last three years, Jesus Lounge Ministry has been serving Palm Beah County in different ways of living by being Jesus in the neighborhood.

The Ministry has been helping tweens and teens to have one less thing to worry about during and after the school year as it is not easy nor affordable for young people who are unemployed and/or homeless to access items of basic need.

The community has supported us by purchasing hygiene products and underwear on our Amazon

34

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

wish list which we distribute to schools and through the Delray Beach Public Library with Isabella Rowan and the Let’s Talk Period program.

Last year, we partnered with the Junior League of Boca Raton to continue feminine hygiene product distribution. They provide us with pads and tampons monthly and we package and distribute them to the schools and the community in Delray Beach.

In partnership with The In-Crowd and Love Your Neighbor program with Steve West, Cason Church and the Homeless Task Force, Community Partners and the Church of the Brethren, Jesus Lounge Ministry expanded the services and we provide resources for the community as needed - clothes, furniture and household items as well as translations with Founa’s Inc. To truly illustrate Jesus in the Neighborhood, we sent our support to Fort Myers after Hurricane Ian alongside KOP Mentoring and community partners.

We have worked with a family who lost their possessions in an electrical fire and were able to provide them with furniture in our JLM closet as well as clothes, swings, high chairs and diapers for their babies.

Personally, the most touching story of all was when we were blessed to have been a support system for a mother and her family before she passed away from cancer, may she rest in peace. She expressed her gratitude before she died for our support to her family while she was receiving treatment in Georgia for cancer and it meant so much to us.

®

/ THE DEPTH

Brother Gybson Augustin with founder of In-Crowd Steve West and Rev. Founa Badet.

Jesus Lounge Ministry and Love Your Neighbors partnered to ensure families had what they needed for their growing families.

MISSION “Jesus Lounge Ministry where the needs of Christ and His people are met servicing Palm Beach County with translation (English, Haitian Creole and French), clothes, furniture, household needs, hygiene supplies and resources.”

VISION The vision of this ministry is to create a safe and loving place for all who want to be in a community as we worship the Lord together, outreach, volunteering and mission work.

Community supporter Jackie Elmora and Rev. Founa Badet.

CONNECT Email: Jesusloungeministry@gmail.com Facebook: Jesus Lounge Ministry Instagram: @jesusloungeministry X: @JesusLoungeMin YouTube: Jesus Lounge Ministry Webpage: www.Jesuslministry.org WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ JdUx19qXfeQCFP4HTwbjL Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/1D3J9ILKKQIO1?ref_=wl_share

J

ezi Lounge Ministry te kòmanse avèk yon lide pou kreye sèvis ak aktivite kominotè nan mwa septanm 2011 pa Rev Founa Badet, yon minis òdone nan Legliz Frè yo. Misyon nou se “kote bezwen Kris la ak pèp li a yo satisfè nan sèvis rejyon Palm Beach County ak tradiksyon (Anglè, Kreyòl Ayisyen ak Fransè), rad, mèb, bezwen nan kay la, founiti ijyèn ak resous ki se egzanp jenere lanmou Jezi pou vwazen nou yo.

Pandan twa dènye ane ki sot pase yo, Jezi Lounge Ministry sèvi rejyon Palm Beach nan diferan fason pou viv yon fason ki montreJezi nan katye a. Ministè ede jèn ak adolesan yo gen yon bagay mwens pou enkyete pandan ane lekòl la paske li pa fasil ni abòdab pou jèn fi/fanm/ti gason/jenn gason ki pap travay, jwen aksè pou jwenn atik sa yo. Ministè a travay an patenarya ak anpil òganizasyon nan kominote a pou sipòte moun ki nan bezwen. Ou kapab kontakte nou sou WhatsApp, imèl oswa rele nou dirèk. Bondye Beni Nou!

The Depth is the space for faith-based leaders and individuals to share their thoughts, guidance, encouragement, what they’re witnessing, etc. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Depth” in the subject line.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

35

®

/ THE FOUNTAIN

BREAKING THE SILENCE:

Tackling the Taboo of Mental Health in High School

By Laura Lopez Intern. BeWellPBC The school year might soon be coming to an end but that doesn’t mean stress levels among students have gone down.

In addition to tackling finals, upperclassmen have the added stress of the SAT/ACTs which determine college placements and it is no wonder that mental health is at a decline.

Compounding this with everything else students have to take on in terms of emotional, physical and social struggles that have nothing to do with school work.

Yet, instead of seeking support or deciding to open up about their struggles, students stay silent because of the fear of possible judgment, stigma or ostracization.

36

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

One of the reasons for this silence is because of the stigma that surrounds mental health. This can be seen everywhere and it certainly isn’t absent in high school culture.

Mental illness often becomes equated with “weakness” or “instability” which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and various misconceptions within the community and continue a growth of the stigma.

With this, students may feel pressured to maintain this facade of strength to not be labeled as “crazy” or “attention-seeking” if they decide to speak up about their struggles.

®

/ THE FOUNTAIN

“

Lacking places for expression or support, students may resort to either suffering in silence or using coping mechanisms that aren’t healthy.

Moreover, the lack of open discussion and education about mental health only exacerbates the problem.

With many high schools shying away from discussing it or not putting much thought nor effort into teaching it, students remain uninformed about signs and symptoms of mental illness and they lack the ability to empathize with others nor being able to talk about their own issues themselves.

The consequences of this silence are dire. Lacking places for expression or support, students may resort to either suffering in silence or using coping mechanisms that aren’t healthy. On top of this, other students may form uninformed opinions and make uninformed comments that hurt other students and cause this never-ending cycle of judgment and add to an overall negative atmosphere when it comes to mental health.

However, there is hope.

The silence around mental health is slowly being broken more and more everyday and as the years pass by, there are more support systems popping up to help students in whatever situations they may be in.

There are still many improvements to be made.

Fostering a culture of acceptance and empathy within high schools is one way to actively break down the stigma surrounding mental health by promoting open discussion and understanding. This can be done through school-wide awareness campaigns, guest

speakers, and peer support groups all dedicated to mental health advocacy.

Furthermore, adding comprehensive mental health education into school curriculums is essential.

Teaching students the basics of mental health, such as coping strategies, self-care, managing emotions and their well-being can empower them with knowledge to use in the future.

Additionally, schools should prioritize the accessibility and confidentiality of mental health resources for students in need. This can include counseling services, support groups and crisis hotlines.

Some of these can also be student-run which also recognizes the point of students themselves playing a pivotal role in breaking the silence surrounding mental health. Having the ability to share their stories, support one another and advocate for change can create an inclusive and compassionate school environment where mental health is respected.

In conclusion, the taboo surrounding mental health in high school is an important issue with consequences if not properly addressed. However, by fostering open discussion, promoting education and providing support - the silence can be broken and we can create an empathetic school culture where students are able to feel validated.

The Fountain is a space for youth to share their point of view on things that matter to them.

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

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

37

®

/ THE WORD

DECLUTTERING A PATH TO WELLNESS

By Amy Bergman Professional Organizer & Chief Organizing Officer Amyzing Spaces Most of us have heard about the importance of taking care of our physical and mental health. We all want to get fit, destress, improve our focus, and relieve our anxiety.

When you think of these goals, you probably imagine taking time for exercise, meal planning, meditating and perhaps even working with a personal trainer or therapist.

These are all some good solutions.

However, what you may not imagine is that when it comes to physical and mental health, we must look at the importance of maintaining a decluttered and tidy home. It turns out that the environment you live in can have a significant impact on your health, so taking time to organize should become a part of your self-care plan.

According to a study by Princeton University, researchers

38

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

discovered that our environment can positively or negatively impact our ability to complete tasks as well as our overall mental health. In another recent study, clutter problems led to less life satisfaction, especially among older adults.

Don’t believe it? Ask yourself this: When you walk into a clean, organized space, does it make you feel more relaxed, refreshed, and energized for the day? Walking into a similar space that is cluttered and messy, you are likely to feel uncomfortable, stressed, overwhelmed, and even tired?

"By removing clutter, we create a sense of calm and serenity in our surroundings, allowing for greater mental clarity and reduced stress."

Amy Bergman - Professional Organizer & Chief Organizing Officer of Amyzing Spaces.

Physical Health Benefits of Decluttering: Clutter not only occupies physical space but can also contribute to poor health. Dust and allergens accumulate in cluttered areas, triggering respiratory issues and allergies. By decluttering, we create cleaner, healthier environments that support respiratory health.

Additionally, decluttering can enhance physical activity levels by creating more space for movement and exercise, leading to improved fitness and overall well-being.

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Decluttering: Clutter has a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. It can create feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious, hindering our ability to focus and find peace. By removing clutter, we create a sense of calm and serenity in our surroundings, allowing for greater mental clarity and reduced stress.

A decluttered space also promotes better sleep and relaxation, leading to improved mental health and emotional well-being.

Given all of these facts, let me suggest 3 Easy Steps we can take to tackle our clutter: 1. Start small - Instead of tackling a whole room, choose a small space like your nightstand, desk or even just your “junk drawer”. Throw out trash, sort items that are staying in that area by category, decide where things will go and what container they need, return items to space in an orderly manner. By tackling one small space, it will give you the motivation and confidence to continue to tackle other areas.

2. Clear your entrance - Do a quick “sweep” of the area where you (and guests) enter your home. Put away items that “belong somewhere else”, toss any junk mail or trash that has accumulated and create a tidy space to come home to each day.

3. Make your bedroom your sanctuary (this one will take a little longer)- This is always a great place to start because it is where you begin and end every day. Commit to making your bed everyday (I promise you will feel the difference), relocate items that don’t belong in the bedroom, and hang up or fold clothing that needs to be put away. Create a designated space (a hook on the wall or area of your closet) where you will keep the items that you feel are still “clean” but that you have worn for a bit of time and want to wear again before washing. This will eliminate piles of clothes in your room.

When you tackle your clutter, you will find that it will actually energize you and give you the confidence to tackle other tasks on your to-do list. You may not even be aware of the anxiety the clutter in your home is creating in your brain or how it is stopping you from having time to exercise. But I promise that creating and maintaining a decluttered and tidy home allows us to have the environment we need to lead a more healthy and peaceful existence.

The Word is a broad topic space for contributing writers (a.k.a the community) to share your stories of behavioral health or anything self-care 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.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

39

®

/ THE SOURCE

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED A PLACE FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY RESIDENTS AND EXPERTS TO CONNECT AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION Q. When do you realize that it’s time to get help for your mental health?

M.I. Sometimes a person in a situation or in crisis is unaware of their waning condition. That’s when the kindness of friends and family is truly important, to check in on someone and see how they can best support them.

If you notice a friend or family member is starting to act differently, make sure they know you’re there to support them.

Check in with them and invite them to meet you for different activities, while still respecting their wishes.

If you are that person who is feeling overwhelmed, and if you feel like things in your life are getting worse and not better – I’d recommend reaching out to a professional for help. If you’re noticing symptoms in yourself such as difficulty sleeping, getting out of bed, or concentrating, or changes in appetite or mood, take that as a cue to seek professional help.

Check with your insurance company to see which options they’ll cover for therapeutic assistance – many companies now cover virtual sessions with licensed mental health counselors.

You can also reach out to a local clinic or medical professional for guidance, or dial 211 in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast for guidance on finding a therapist. 211 is a community helpline and crisis hotline that provides suicide prevention, crisis intervention, information, assessment, and referral to community services for people of all ages.

So many taboos have developed around mental health conditions that people have become afraid to address how it affects them. Mental health conditions can come from trauma, physiological illness, loneliness, it can

40

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

occur organically, or it can come from hormonal imbalances. It is nothing to be ashamed of – reach out to friends and professionals who can help you. Valerie Brooks MSN-ADLD, RN Recognizing the need for mental health assistance involves several indicators to consider. Persistent symptoms such as prolonged feelings of sadness or anxiety, along with changes in appetite or sleep patterns, signal a need for support. Strained relationships decreased performance at work or school, and increased substance use as coping mechanisms are also red flags.

Physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues without a clear medical cause can indicate underlying mental health concerns. Difficulty coping with everyday stressors and thoughts of self-harm or suicide require immediate attention. Acknowledging these signs early and seeking professional guidance can provide support and strategies for improved well-being. When I come across these types of symptoms, I refer my clients out to a licensed professional. - Debbie Roppo Q. When you have a friend that you see struggling with their mental health, but it's such a sensitive subject, how do you help them? F.C. Though the discussion surrounding mental health may be sensitive or uncomfortable, it is a worthwhile conversation to be engaged in. It isn’t going anywhere just because we don’t speak of it, it only exacerbates.

Sometimes, it’s only after the worst has happened to the person suffering from the ill-effect of the poor mental health that we second guess ourselves with the “what-ifs.”

That’s why we must have frank conversations with the people we love when we think they are struggling, early-on.

The key to being sensitive with this conversation is trust, on both sides.

Don’t blame or shame anyone for struggling with mental health, and don’t take their reactions to your outreach personally. I’d also recommend walking into that conversation with resources – tell you friend about 211, a local number they can call to help connect them with mental health resources.

Commitment, vulnerability, truth, dedication, and honesty will get them through the pain they are enduring. All the while with their Village cheering, supporting, and helping them to carry part of the load on the journey to wellness. - Valerie Brooks MSN-ADLD, RN When supporting a friend struggling with their mental health, approach with empathy and respect, remembering you can't fix their problem. Express genuine concern, listen actively without judgment, and offer practical support.

Encourage professional help gently, respecting their boundaries. Remind them they're not alone. Prioritize selfcare and seek support for yourself if needed. - Debbie Roppo

“

The key to being sensitive with this conversation is trust, on both sides.

Q. I’ve noticed that my anxiety is worse at night before bed, and it is affecting my sleep. What are some things I can do to calm down and get a good night’s rest again? - J.B. Make a list of your daily activities to try to identify the root cause of the sleep disturbance, with a focus on the last few hours before you go to bed.

What distractions could be contributing to anxiety that can be eliminated? Think about lighting, TV, phone use, bedding, mattress, as well as what you're eating, drinking, or what medication you might be taking before bed.

There are also some activities you can practice to help reduce insomnia: deep breathing exercises, reading, yoga, and listening to soothing music. You can also try unwinding and get ready for bed at an earlier time to get your body in the mindset that it’s almost time to sleep.

The American Heart Association’s website, Heart.org, has a great section about sleep with tips. Take a look at Heart.org/Sleep.

- Valerie Brooks MSN-ADLD, RN From a functional medicine perspective, easing anxiety at night involves a holistic approach that considers the interplay of various bodily systems. This begins with adopting a balanced nutrition plan rich in omega-3 fatty acids and free from processed foods, excess sugar, and caffeine, especially close to bedtime. Stable blood sugar levels are crucial, achieved through balanced meals and snacks. Supporting gut health with fiber-rich foods and stressreduction techniques like mindfulness meditation and yoga can alleviate anxiety symptoms. Establishing good sleep hygiene, incorporating calming herbal teas, and considering targeted supplementation under professional guidance further enhance this approach. By addressing underlying imbalances and supporting the body's natural healing mechanisms, functional medicine offers a comprehensive strategy for managing nighttime anxiety and promoting overall well-being. Always seek the support a professional before making any changes to your diet.

- Debbie Roppo

The information presented is for the purpose of educating people. Nothing contained in this publication should be construed nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Should you have any health care related questions, please call or see your physician or other qualified healthcare provider promptly. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this publication.

Valerie Brooks MSN-ADLD, RN, is the Chairperson of the Health Equity Council at the American Heart Association Palm Beach County, and she is the Director of Operations for Monarch Health Services, Inc. She has worked in healthcare for 24 years, after telling her father she was absolutely not going to be a nurse for most of her life. Brooks was inspired to become a nurse after her mother passed away from congestive heart failure – her only symptom had been high blood pressure – as a way to educate the community on preventable health conditions and save lives.

Debbie Roppo, owner of Debbie Roppo Health Coach, is a dedicated board-certified health and wellness coach specializing in functional medicine, integrative nutrition, and emotional eating psychology. With a passion for empowering women to live life more fully, Debbie stands out in a field of over 200,000 health coaches, being among the less than 9,500 who are board certified. Her journey into holistic health began when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a decade ago. Opting for a holistic path, Debbie celebrates turning 57 this March healthier and happier than ever before.

Drawing from her personal experience, Debbie understands the challenges of fatigue, digestive concerns, loss of libido, and the general boredom that can plague life. Through her coaching practice, she inspires and supports women to make lifestyle choices that nurture a health span equal to their lifespan. Debbie believes in challenging the notion that these symptoms are simply a part of aging, advocating instead for the recognition of lifestyle choices as significant contributors. With Debbie's guidance, women can break free from limitations and embrace a vibrant, fulfilling life.

The Source asks YOUR questions to a lived and learned expert. Lived experts have experienced behavioral health challenges and/or are family members, caregivers, faith-based leaders, neighborhood champions, and influencers. Learned experts are behavioral health professionals, nonprofit agencies, local government, educational institutions, system leaders, and funders. Email thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Source” in the subject line to ask a question or contribute as an expert.

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

41

VOLUNTEER

EVENTS

SPORTS

CLASSES

NATURE

LOOKING FOR

FREE & AFFORDABLE ACTIVITIES? Sign up to receive monthly calendar highlights of free and affordable activities taking place in Palm Beach County's parks! What’s Happening in PBC Parks is full of local activities for all ages.

3 Ways to Subscribe 1

Email pbcparks@pbcgov.org and use What’s Happening in PBC Parks in the subject line.

2

Visit pbcparks.com and click on the link to sign up for What’s Happening in PBC Parks.

3

Scan the QR Code with the camera on your phone to open the signup page in your browser.

FAU L K C E N T E R FO R CO U N S E L I N G

Buerfly Release

May 16, 2024, 4:00pm

Faulk Center, 22455 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton FL

You are invited to join us on May 16, 2024 at 4pm for our annual Butterfly Release. This event, held each year at the Faulk Center for Counseling, in honor of our founder Dr. Elizabeth H. Faulk’s birthday, is an opportunity to come together with friends, family, and fellow community members to celebrate the beauty of life and the importance of mental health support. This event is one of many events held in May in support of Mental Health Awareness Month and the Get Your Green On campaign which aims to raise awareness by creating visible support and fostering safe spaces to talk openly about mental health and trauma.

This is a free event! Registration is recommended www.faulkcenterforcounseling.org/butterfly We will have a limited amount of butterflies we will be handing out to release, but to ensure you have one, you can purchase one when you register.

Sponsorships are still available.

Questions? You can reach us at: 561-483-5300 or at center@faulkcenterforcounseling.org For more details, visit: www.faulkcenterforcounseling.org/butterfly

®

BIRTH TO 22

Hosts Annual Task Force Meeting

T

he Seventh Annual Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures Task Force meeting was held at the Clayton E. Hutcheson Agricultural Center on January 16, 2024. After being held virtually for several years, this in-person event hosted over 100 participants, including parents, family members, school representatives, students, community members, and agency representatives. The meeting was split into two sessions: a review of the previous year and an interactive discussion about the Youth Master Plan 2.0 draft.

As Birth to 22 enters its 10th year as a collective impact, Tammy K. Fields, Palm Beach County Assistant County Administrator, and Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of the Children’s Services Council (CSC) of Palm Beach County, highlighted the 2023 accomplishments as well as the major milestones achieved over the last 10 years.

The task force meeting was also a transitional moment as Tammy accepted a promotional opportunity within the county. She was thanked for her contributions and passion towards Birth to 22 and introduced the new Birth to 22 Steering Committee Co-Chair, Elisa Cramer, who is Interim Director of the Youth Services Department (YSD).

The task force meeting showcased two youth-led workgroups, Future Leaders: United for Change and the Girls Voice Task Force, which have hosted community

44

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

service projects, engaged youth in skill-building and leadership initiatives, and planned events throughout 2024.

The Youth Master Plan (YMP) serves as the blueprint for setting priorities and taking action to improve the lives of children and youth in Palm Beach County.

Before the Task Force meeting, the registered participants were provided a draft of the “YMP 2.0,” an update of the plan based on community input and data.

During the second session of the Task Force meeting, Jeannette Gordon, an independent consultant, facilitated discussions to gather feedback on the draft, including the strengths, gaps, and overall comprehensiveness of the proposed plan. The new YMP focuses on youth transitioning to adulthood with strategic priority areas of mental health, economic access, and education while highlighting safety. Once finalized, this plan will guide the next three years of services and funding opportunities for the Birth to 22 Alliance.

Learn more about the Birth to 22 Alliance at: http://pbcbirthto22.com/ To stay connected with Birth to 22 and upcoming events and initiatives, follow Birth to 22 on Facebook and Instagram @Birthto22.

®

/ SPOTLIGHT

A gifted writer and therapist, Carlos contributed to the first issue of The Well.

Carlos Edwards - Winner of the 2020 Be Well Do Well mini-grant

In Memoriam:

Carlos Edwards T

he Well of PBC would like to take some time and space to memorialize community leader, mental health advocate and contributor to The Well of PBC’s first ever Providers column - our friend Carlos Edwards.

Winner of the 2020 Be Well Do Well mini-grant, Carlos was a staunch advocate for mental health accessibility and destigmatization, especially for African-American men and his grant-winning program, I See You, was born from that passion as well as his personal struggles.

Carlos was also a part of the Palm Beach County Pediatric Integrated Care Parent Advisory Council.

“It’s important to check in on each other,” he said. “As men, we hold onto things, and it becomes too heavy for us. Sometimes all it takes is

to say to another brother, ‘Hey, I see you. Let’s talk.’”

Over the course of a year, 30 men - mostly from Riviera Beach - participated in Carlos’ 12-week program. They discussed anxiety, trauma and depression in a safe space where men could feel comfortable about being vulnerable and opening up about their own struggles.

“Men need an outlet to express themselves authentically and safely to be their healthiest selves for their families,” Carlos said. “Despite their essential role in family dynamics, very few outlets and resources have been able to help men understand how important it is for them to free themselves of the baggage they have been carrying for so long.”

We will miss Carlos - his compassion and kindness. His wisdom. His willingness to share but also to listen and ensure other voices were heard. We will miss his unwavering commitment to our community and his advocacy for mental health equity and accessibility.

Our thoughts are with Carlos’ loved ones during this time of grief. To know him was a blessing.

May Carlos Edwards’ memory and legacy inspire others to walk in his footsteps and make this world a kinder, more empathetic place.

With our deepest sympathies, The Well of PBC

THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

45

®

M

S c e n t a l H e alt h t n ave nger Hu May 2024

Download free GOOSECHASE app Play as a guest or set up free account.

Find GYGO HUNT '24 or join code MXP5L6 Create your own team or fly solo.

Complete missions. Earn points.

Improve mental health and awareness of local resources.

Share with others!

Win random prizes.

Happy Hunting May 1st - May 31st.

For more events for Mental Health Awareness & Trauma Informed Care go to pbcbirthto22.com/gygo/ For Hunt Help contact prevention@pbcbhc.org

46

THE WELL OF PBC | APRIL 2024

We support and generate innovative programs and solutions to address the behavioral health needs of our community.

Each year, over 13,000 individuals in Palm Beach County with mental health and substance use disorders are directly assisted by SEFBHN's diverse network of community providers.

They receive critical services like crisis intervention, outpatient counseling, medication assisted treatment (MAT), and much more. As a behavioral health managing entity, we work collaboratively with school systems, law enforcement, and more to effectively direct resources to support and help create programs which serve the unique needs of the communities. Here are just a few of the ways our services touch the lives of those in our community:

Behavioral Health Services for adults, children, and families treat mental health and substance use disorders.

Mobile Response Teams work with 211 helpline to provide support and hope to people experiencing crises.

Peer support specialists engage with victims of overdoses to provide recovery support and connections to treatment.

To learn more, visit us at sefbhn.org by scanning the QR code.

Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network is a managing entity contracted with the Department of Children and Families. The Florida Department of Children Families is committed to its mission of protecting the vulnerable, promoting strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advancing personal and family recovery and resiliency.