The Well of PBC – April 2023

Letter from the editor

There are many paths to wellness

Iam thrilled to present to you the April edition of The Well of PBC. This edition’s theme is “There are many paths to wellness,” and I couldn’t be more excited to share with you the diverse and inspiring stories of individuals who have found their unique paths to wellness.

At The Well of PBC, we firmly believe that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, there are countless ways to achieve and maintain good mental health. This edition is committed to showcasing the various paths our community members have taken to achieve their wellness goals.

In this edition, you will find stories of individuals who have found solace in creative expression, mindfulness practices, outdoor activities, and community group healing. You will read about people who have overcome addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma through a variety of evidence-based therapies and approaches. We are proud to feature organizations like Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, The Center for Trauma Counseling, Girls Coordinating Council, students who express themselves through art, and more. We are also excited to feature individuals within the community who contribute their personal experiences.

The April edition also brings light to “Get Your Green On,” a mental health campaign that is making waves throughout Palm Beach County. This campaign takes place during the month of May and aims to raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and gives focus to trauma-informed care. By encouraging individuals and organizations to wear green and share their support for mental health, “Get Your Green On” brings attention to the importance of mental health and well-being. Through this campaign, Palm Beach County is demonstrating its commitment to supporting individuals who may

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be struggling with mental health challenges and promoting the message that mental health is just as important as physical health.

We hope these stories will inspire and empower you to discover or continue your own path to wellness. Whether it’s through therapy, exercise, or self-care practices, we encourage you to explore new and exciting options and find what works best for you. We also encourage you to research organizations in your community that can either benefit you or where you can lend your time to help someone else.

We are dedicated to providing our readers with valuable resources and information to support their mental health and well-being. We are honored to be a part of your journey to wellness and are committed to continuing to provide quality content in future editions.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you enjoy this edition of The Well of PBC.

Thank you for being a part of the mission:

Julie Khanna, Editor-in-Chief

thewell@bewellpbc.org

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

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.

The Mission

The Well of PBC is an online publication that strives to be the primary resource for behavioral health and wellness for Palm Beach County, a safe exchange space for the community, and an outlet for our neighbors and stakeholders to transform the behavioral health landscape.

So, what does that mean to you? It means we not only want to be your go-to place for all things behavioral health topics, but we want to tell your stories too!

We are looking for freelance photographers (willing to barter) and writers to contribute to our art, ask the experts, youth, 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

Our Team

Creative Team

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.

Katrina, founder & CEO of Unity3 Palm Beach, brings her executive advertising background combined with her love of faith, family, and this vibrant multicultural community to The Well of PBC and BeWellPBC.

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

Surej, founder of Photography & Design by Sunman, is the creative visionary that brings life into each page, concept, visual and digital design of The Well of PBC publication.

The information in this issue of The Well of PBC is for information purposes only. The Well of PBC assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, company, product or organization has been provided by such individual, company, product or organization without verification by us.

Alita Faber 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.

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 serves as a contributing writer to The Well of PBC.

The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Well of PBC. Therefore, The Well of PBC carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed therein.

Any form of reproduction of any content in this magazine without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. © 2023 The Well of PBC All rights reserved.

Lauren Zuchman Publisher

Katrina Blackmon Marketing Manager

Julie Khanna Editor-in-Chief

Surej Kalathil AKA Sunman Creative Director

Melanie Otero Contributor

Alita Faber BeWellPBC Staff

Kenya Madison Senior Director of Healthier Delray Beach

Katherine Murphy CEO at NAMI Palm Beach County

Tevin Ali Public Relations Specialist for the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department.

Tammy K. Fields Director of the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department

Get Your Green On Campaign Talking Points

Why the Get Your Green On campaign?

• The campaign is in honor of national Mental Health Awareness Month (May).

• Palm Beach County also honors trauma-informed care as part of the campaign.

• Green is the national color for mental health awareness

• The Get Your Green On campaign aims to raise awareness by creating visible support (by wearing green on May 18th) and fostering safe spaces to talk openly about behavioral health and trauma.

What is the story of the Get Your Green On campaign?

• Began in May 2016 – Healthier Delray Beach and students at Atlantic High School wanted to encourage the community to give attention to their mental health and wellness. Everyone was encouraged to wear green and post pictures on social media.

• In 2017, 2018 and 2019:

o Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures (an alliance of Palm Beach County community providers) partnered with Healthier Delray Beach to take the campaign countywide.

o More than 100 providers, government agencies, schools, media outlets and businesses participated each year and over 6000 individuals wore green and posted pictures.

o The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, 15 additional cities, and multiple agency Boards of Directors adopted Mental Health Awareness and Trauma -Informed Care Proclamations in the month of May.

• In 2020 and 2021, the community celebrated the annual Get Your Green On campaigns virtually due to COVID-19. Recognizing the toll the pandemic was taking on resident mental health, the campaign was more important than ever to encourage self-care.

• During May 2023, Palm Beach County honors behavioral health again, encouraging everyone to care for themselves and the people around them. The month of May will include Mental Health Awareness Proclamations, trainings and awareness events across the county, and the social media campaign on May 18th will get everyone wearing green!

Why is mental health awareness and trauma-informed care important?

• 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 youth (ages 13 to 18) experience serious mental health concerns.

• 26% of children experience a traumatic event before the age of 4.

• 60% of adults and 50% of youth in need of treatment do not receive help due to limited/no knowledge of their mental health needs, barriers to receiving care, or fear and shame.

• Communities can change these statistics by promoting awareness about behavioral health and offering trauma-informed care.

Where to find more information about the campaign, how to get involved, resources, and a social media toolkit?

• www.GetYourGreenOn.org

• May Events Calendar at https://pbcbirthto22.com/gygo/events2023.htm

The Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed May 2023 as Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month to encourage every resident and professional to practice self-care, support the people around them, and seek help when needed.

The Many Paths to Wellness

By: Melanie Otero

The right path. The right track. The right direction.

We have many phrases alluding to the well-being we will find once we’re on a straight path with a clear destination in view.

According to Dr. Elaine Rotenberg, chief clinical and impact officer at Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County (AJFS), the path to wellness is not a straight line. It’s more like a visit to your favorite home appliance store.

“If you go up and down the aisles, you can find a number of tools for what you need at any given time,” Dr. Rotenberg said. “The direction we choose, the aisles we select change with our needs. The path to wellness is not a ‘one size fits all.’”

So where do we begin?

Back to basics

Dr. Rotenberg uses the dimensions—the tools—in the BASIC Ph model to guide people in finding the places where they can develop coping skills and resiliency along six dimensions: belief, affect, social, imagination, cognition, and physical.

“Wellness is not unidimensional,” Dr. Rotenberg said. “We are complicated humans that come with a lot of capacity. Sometimes we don’t realize that about

ourselves because we get stuck on one dimension.”

The BASIC Ph model was developed by Professor Mooli Lahad, Israeli psychologist and psychotrauma specialist, known worldwide for his creative methods of intervention and treatment of stress. His philosophy is that the more we are able to utilize the dimensions available to us, the more resilience we are able to harness in

Dr. Elaine Rotenberg, Chief Clinical and Impact Officer, AJFS

B – Belief

Systems such as religion, faith and core values of a person or society and the community surrounding them. Nurturing belief can cultivate values, engage an external support system, and help provide meaning to life.

A – Affect

Feelings, emotions, and the ability to express them. Nurturing affect can cultivate a sense of feeling less alone in the world and strengthen our attachments.

S – Social

Friendships, social channels and the relationships created. Nurturing social can decrease isolation, ground us, and strengthen attachments.

I – Imagination

Creativity and expression through creative forms, such as art, music and language (written or spoken). Nurturing imagination can provide a sense of accomplishment and release.

C – Cognitive Problem-solving, dialogue about strategies and the ability to learn new things. Nurturing cognitive can cultivate the feeling of partnership, control, and growth.

Ph – Physical Physical movement in some form. Nurturing physical can provide a release, encourage health, and help us stay flexible in body and mind.

on different parts of us and water them a little bit to get flowers out of that garden.”

Wellness is a team sport

Dr. Rotenberg also reminds us that how we feel about ourselves – our selfesteem—is another critical component of wellness. She explains that our selfesteem is a combination of many things, including the messages we hear from others. In that way, we all have a responsibility to give positive feedback to others, those encouraging statements that help others feel seen and valued.

“We all have a role in the mental wellness of ourselves and our community,” she said. “It’s about interdependence. How we feel about ourselves is impacted by messages from ourselves, our peers, and our community.”

Kimberly Comer, a board member of Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches (MHA), has watched members build their self-esteem and their community in the organization’s Clubhouses. At MHA’s two locations in West Palm Beach and Belle Glade, people living with mental illness come together and are dedicated to one another’s success.

Comer sees the one common denominator that moves Clubhouse members forward is within the “B” of the BASIC Ph: hope.

“Clubhouses offer a community of hope for people living with mental illness,” Comer said. “They are a place of belonging

The Six Dimensions of the BASIC Ph

The direction we choose, the aisles we select change with our needs. The path to wellness is not a ‘one size fits all.’

Kimberly Comer, Board Member, MHA of the Palm Beaches

~ Source: Jewish Herald Voice

where everyone has a purpose—where members find meaning to support their recovery and reclaim their future.”

According to Clubhouse International, Clubhouses are centered on the belief that every member has the potential to sufficiently recover from the effects of mental illness to lead a personally satisfying life as an integrated member of society. They are local community centers that provide members with opportunities to build long-term relationships that support them in obtaining employment, education, and housing.

For members, sustaining a routine is important for creating a sense of support and normalcy and enhancing coping skills. Members carry out a day at the Clubhouse much like a daily job by supporting the needs of MHA in partnership with staff.

“Clubhouses thrive best when staff and members work side by side in the operation of the Clubhouse,” said Shelby Swiderski, Glades Clubhouse Director. “This allows each individual to focus on their strengths, talents, and abilities, and discover what makes them flourish.”

Each Clubhouse is unique as well, explains Swiderski. “They each strive to work with the individual needs of their own communities, while remaining true to the Clubhouse model,” she said. “In the Glades, we are very proud and grateful for our partnerships with the Multilingual Psychotherapy Center and the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County because no Clubhouse is an island.”

No member is an island either. “They are surrounded by people who understand how important their individual path to recovery is, because they are discovering it for themselves, too,” Swiderski said.

We’re traveling these roads together

For West Palm Beach member Savion Cohen, the Clubhouse experience has contributed to his mental wellness by boosting his confidence. “It has shown me that I am capable of more than I had imagined and helped me get out into the world and grow,” he said.

Cohen’s flourishing reminds us that on the many paths to wellness, social connected-

Glades Clubhouse members enjoy creative activities

ness—the “S” in BASIC Ph—is an important component. Being seen and valued and finding others who share our life experiences help us build communities of people who believe in us and our ability to contribute to the world.

“The people at the Clubhouse are non-judgmental and very supportive and understanding,” Cohen said. “It’s important to build connections with people like that. I can be myself at the Clubhouse, and I’ve come out of my shell more in general. Another member once expressed that he was happy that I was his friend, and that made an impact on me.”

The path to wellness can take many directions, but what Cohen has found is that we are more likely to stay our course when we invite others to join us for the ride. “We thrive off of connection with other people,” he said. “It is what makes us human. Too much isolation can lead to so many different mental and even physical health consequences because it’s like depriving yourself of food or water. It’s a necessity to have connection with others.”

Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches

MHA is creating spaces where people living with mental health conditions can find acceptance, grow, and thrive. Clubhouses are located in West Palm Beach and Belle Glade. At the Peer Place Wellbeing Center in West Palm Beach, members socialize with others and participate in group and one-on-one support with trained peer support mentors. To request a Clubhouse tour, call 561-832-3755, or to learn more, contact Shelby Swiderski, SSwiderski@mhapalmbeaches.org.

Join the MHA 5K to support Clubhouses and Peer Place!

MHA Mind & Body Connection 2023 5K

When: Saturday April 29, 2023 in Dreher Park South, West Palm Beach Time: 7:30 am start Register: mhapalmbeaches.org

Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County (AJFS)

AJFS provides more than two dozen services to all ages and all denominations, including psychiatry, counseling, and residential programming for adults with special needs. A new day socialization center for adults living with mental illness will open this summer in Palm Beach Gardens at the Levine Jewish Residential and Family Service. AJFS’s Community Access Life Line (C.A.L.L.) offers a no-cost, in-depth customized consultation service for available services with AJFS, and/or provides referrals to community resources. Alpert JFS coordinates the county’s Mental Health First Aid Coalition.

For more information about programs, or if you wish to take a Mental Health First Aid class, call 561-684-1991 or visit alpertjfs.org.

We thrive off of connection with other people. It is what makes us human.

Glades Clubhouse members practice wellness together

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

By: Jan Bogie

When the mom of a newborn tells you, “I’m fine. The baby is great,” do you believe her? Most people do. At the same time, one in five women struggle with mental health during their pregnancies or in the first year after the baby is born. Often, moms do not recognize their own symptoms and pass them off as “just motherhood.” Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are certainly not “just motherhood.” PMADs are also not “baby blues,” as “baby blues” only last about two weeks. Another important fact is that PMADs can happen during pregnancy, in the first year after birth, or both, so they are not solely a ‘postpartum’ experience. The good news is PMADs are treatable! There are many paths to mental wellness for perinatal women.

Some perinatal mental health issues require immediate intervention— particularly postpartum psychosis and moms experiencing suicidal urges. These are medical emergencies and need to be treated as such.

For other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, anxiety, perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder, and perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder, women can explore many treatment options that fit their needs. Some moms opt for traditional interventions, including therapy and medication. However, there are other options available that can help moms feel better, too!

Support groups give moms an opportunity to connect with other moms in a safe, non-judgmental way. In a support group, the members have a shared lived experience of not experiencing motherhood the way they imagined. Perhaps they have depressive symptoms, struggle with anxiety or compulsions, or feel like they are not “in love” with their baby. They might first seek out social media and are alarmed to find images and videos of other moms having “perfect, happy” relationships with their children or partners. This dissonance creates a sense of shame for new moms, and they are at risk of isolating.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County offers “Circle of Moms”— maternal mental health support groups to help any perinatal woman experiencing mental distress. Having support from others is a strong predictor of healing for perinatal moms. We invite pregnant and postpartum women to come to our support groups, listen to others, or talk about their feelings and thoughts. Women can come as much or as little as they need! They can attend in-person or virtually— whichever is best for them at this season of their lives. Our group facilitators are all trained in perinatal mental health.

In addition to facilitating the groups, the facilitators also provide one-on-one support and consultation to any group member. Our facilitators can help link these moms to other interventions when requested or needed. We honor that a mom who reaches out for help is an incredibly strong mom! We also recognize that moms can have mental health challenges AND be great moms!

Support groups give moms an opportunity to connect with other moms in a safe,non-judgmental way. In a support group, the members have a shared lived experience of not experiencing motherhood the way they imagined.

It is no surprise that Mother’s Day is the same month as Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a logical month to share how important maternal mental health truly is. So next time you think a perinatal woman is “fine,” gently ask more. Listen more. Give her the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies group facilitator’s phone number to text or call at 561-517-1551. We will help her get well!

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 Word” in the subject line.

Circle of Moms group @ Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies in Greenacres

Circle of Moms supports pregnant and postpartum women, Greenacres

By: Kylie Calderon pbcbirthto22.com/girls

Ilogged on to my first Girls’ Voice Task Force (GVTF) meeting almost a year ago. I had heard about the task force months prior from a Compass Community Center representative via a virtual book club meeting to discuss community opportunities for teenagers. However, I was still determining what to expect.

Upon signing up, I received monthly announcements about meetings and workshop spaces. Still, at that point in the very freshly post-lockdown world, I didn’t feel socially ready to meet new people I would only be seeing in one setting (and I was anxious about potentially and irrevocably embarrassing myself).

I read the announcements cautiously while wondering what it would be like to join the organization - Would I be the youngest member? What sorts of things would we discuss? What would the other members be like? Would they like me? Could I make friends out of this experience? How inclusive was this space of different perspectives?

Joining the first meeting in February of 2022, my anxieties were put to rest. Everyone was allowed to introduce themselves, we weren’t pressured to have our cameras or microphones on (which was a point of contention in the era of Zoom and Google Meet meetings), I felt

I have grown more confident and empathetic alongside the other girls in the GVTF. I have learned invaluable lessons about myself and the community around me.

GCC executive committee at their 5k walk run

instantly at ease with the coordinators and the other girls, and above all else, the advisors and coordinators had created a virtual community conducive to wonderful conversations.

I was in awe of the girls in my community and how insightful our discourse was. I learned about girls’ issues that I hadn’t known affected me before or hadn’t previously been able to identify. For the first time in a while, due to the pandemic putting everything on hold, I felt totally seen as a teenage girl in Palm Beach County, and more than that - I felt seen as a person and given the space and

opportunity to offer my perspective on relevant issues.

Being a part of this organization has helped me immensely, primarily by giving me the freedom to have opinions on the things that affect my daily life. I won’t speak for all members, but I have grown more confident and empathetic alongside the other girls in the GVTF. I have learned invaluable lessons about myself and the community around me.

Before I joined the GVTF, I doubted I would have been mentally capable of

considering the possibility of writing an article for a local publication. I would have been too anxious about making a horrible mistake, or my input would not have been valued. Now, equipped with the armory of mental tools that being a part of the GVTF has given me, I am much more capable and confident in my abilities. In addition, I have learned how to best advocate for myself and talk about the important things to me. The GVTF has helped me tremendously on my path to mental wellness!

The Girls Coordinating Council is a community collaborative focused on creating better outcomes and strengthening the system of care for girls in Palm Beach County. We are backed by Birth to 22 and have taken a data-driven approach to understanding the challenges and wellbeing of girls in our community.

If you or a girl you know would be interested in joining the Girls Voice Task Force, email: girlscoordinatingcpbc@gmail.com

https://pbcbirthto22.com/girls/

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.

Girls Coordinating Council participant Kylie Photo Credit: Winter Raven Photography

By: Center for Trauma Counseling

@centerfortraumacounseling

Center for Trauma Counseling was formed as a community-based Palm Beach County non-profit in 2012 with a singular focus; providing for our area’s most in-need residents with timely, easily accessible, affordable, quality mental healthcare. However, we soon realized that simply opening an office and becoming a provider was insufficient in filling the void in services for our target populations. This was due to the numerous barriers to care our clients face every day. Immediately, we began dismantling these barriers one by one.

Many of our friends and neighbors are unaware that 1 in 4 (379,300) Palm Beach County residents struggle with a treatable mental health issue and that thousands need assistance accessing care due to barriers such as low income, lack of insurance or underinsurance, barriers to transportation and language restrictions.

• Nearly 200,000 Palm Beach County residents live at or below the Federal Poverty Line

• 270,000 are uninsured

• 478,000 speak a language other than English

• Approximately 600,000 residents are transportation restricted, lacking access to regular, reliable personal transportation.

Tackling each of these barriers over the years, we successfully eliminated cost and lack of insurance by providing those who qualify for fully subsidized grant-funded services and offering those low-income, but not under the federal poverty line, a sliding fee scale plan. Additionally, we have addressed language barriers by diversifying our staff, ensuring our team of therapists fully represents the diverse makeup of our collective communities.

While these initial steps widely expanded access for many residents, a significant gap still existed for residents who struggle with daily transportation barriers. Many clients who wanted and began services but discontinued prematurely, cited the lack of regular, reliable daily transportation as the reason why. Because continuity of care is crucial in resolving trauma and mental health-related disorders, in 2019, we formulated a bold plan to remove transportation as a barrier to care by resolving to bring services to those who could not come to us.

In 2020, we purchased and customized a 40ft bus with two therapy rooms, including a play therapy room and intake area, Wi-Fi, computers, play therapy items, interior décor, and a custom exterior wrap. Utilizing our successful template of creating and leveraging mutually beneficial community partnerships, we cultivated partnerships with other local agencies that serve our target populations and became Mobile Hope Clinic host locations where services are provided on-site to their in-need clients. Bilingual Mobile Hope Clinic staff were secured, inter-agency referral processes were developed and Memorandum of Understanding agreements were executed.

Mobile Hope Clinic services in progress.

The Mobile Hope Clinic officially became a path to wellness for our clients in May 2021 with our first community partner, the Palm Beach County Boys & Girls Clubs, at two locations in Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Additional partner locations in the flagship year included the Health Care District of Palm Beach County at the Lake Worth location and Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) at their domestic abuse shelter.

Mobile Hope Clinic partnerships and services continued to grow in 2022, serving six community partners at ten locations throughout the county to in-need residents of all ages, from children to seniors. Since the program began, we have provided nearly 900 hours of free mental healthcare services to more than 150 new clients aboard the Mobile Hope Clinic.

By implementing innovative programs built through strong community partnerships, we actively resolve these barriers and expand access to care for thousands of Palm Beach County residents each year. Since 2012, we have grown from serving 100 residents in our first year to now providing services to over 1300 residents annually through our Avenues to Care system, in-office services, at community satellite locations, co-located therapists at Palm Beach County public schools, via telehealth and now aboard the Mobile Hope Clinic.

Our unique Avenues to Care system provides ALL Palm Beach County residents many paths to wellness regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, ability to pay, and now, whether or not they can come to us!

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 “The Providers” in the subject line.

“

Since the program began, nearly 900 hours of free mental healthcare services have been provided to more than 150 new clients aboard the Mobile Hope Clinic.

Back of the Mobile Hope Clinic

Child boarding the Mobile Hope Clinic at the Boys and Girls Club location.

Developing Minds, Profound Impact

By: Jeffery Lovett, Digital Design Teacher at Atlantic Community High School Website: www.ahs.palmbeachschools.org

This is a very bright student who completed this piece in her first year in Digital Design. She was also one of the first to become Adobe Photoshop certified in her class. I’m expecting great things from her over the next two years as she completes the academy.

The emergence of artistic expression is more important now than ever. My students use artistic expression to tell and show the world how they feel about the current situations plaguing society today. Yet, as adults, we sometimes don’t consider what this generation has lived through and experienced in the last 4-5 years and its profound impact on developing minds.

My students use artistic expression to tell and show the world how they feel about the current situations.

“

Mystical Journey by Denaijah Hewitt 9th Grade | Digital Design 1 Class Atlantic Community High School

Elijah is also a bright and upcoming designer. The piece that I selected for him is actually one of the five winning competition pieces selected from Atlantic Community High School. Elijah is expected to complete his Adobe Certification at the end of this year no later than the beginning of next year. He is also one of the few students that have been approached from outside sources to purchase his artwork.

JoeDan Is another one of those naturally gifted graphic designers. Like the others, he is also certified in Adobe Photoshop and working on his Adobe Illustrator certification. Even though he rolled into my class late, he quickly became one of the Rising Stars last year. This year he is definitely one of the top three out of all students taking Digital Design 2. He is very thorough, and his artistic pieces are very intricate. It is very hard to tell just how much work is put into every piece unless you open the working file and see just how in-depth he’s willing to go to create

Viktoriia is what I would call a genuine artist. It doesn’t matter if she is drawing, painting, or creating images on the computer. She has a natural talent for color selection balance and creative expression. She has shown in multiple pieces that she is not afraid to push the envelope. With all the natural attributes that she brought with her to my class, the sky’s the limit for this student.

Janaya Stephens is one of my best overall graphic design students, besides singing, acting, and playing multiple instruments. Janaya is a two-time district art competition winner and is close to having multiple Adobe certifications. The art piece “Redemption” I chose to submit for her is one of those winning art pieces. Her natural artistic capabilities show through with every piece of artwork she attempts. Her name is one that you definitely may want to remember.

his artistic expression. The piece I chose for him (Happy Halloween) came from a movie poster assignment given to digital design students every year. However, his poster concept and design is one of the best ones I’ve ever seen produced by a student.

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.

The Questioning by Elijah Rene 11th Grade | Digital Design 2 Class Atlantic Community High School

Stormy Gulls by Viktoriia Zhukova 12th Grade | Digital Design 2 Class Atlantic Community High School

Redemption by Janaya Stephens 12th Grade | Digital Design 2 Class Atlantic Community High School

Happy Halloween by JoeDan Delva 12th Grade | Digital Design 2 Class Atlantic Community High School

The Healing Power of Proximity The Healing Power of Proximity

By: Dr. Father Gabriel Ghanoum Drgabrielghanoum.com

When we talk about the concept of “wellness,” what does that mean?

I think of the words of Swami Sivananda“Illness begins with I, Wellness begins with we.”

The essence of wellness has roots in healing and connection. As I reflect on the privilege to work in the hospital setting wearing many hats - as a Catholic priest, a psychologist, and trauma and addiction

specialist - I am touched by the needs of my fellow human beings, patients, their family and friends, and staff. The critical ingredient that has guided my work has always been the power of proximity, which is the ultimate power of “we.”

Healing shows up in many forms: addressing the physical, acute illness, and chronic disease, and helping the body to recover; a simple smile when someone is feeling down; holding a hand of a loved one as they say their final goodbye; a

conversation to be seen and understood in one’s last moments of life. These are the pathways where the power of proximity promotes healing, health, and meaning.

I often use a healing technique at the hospital for patients, family, and staff coined “Cappuccino Therapy” to elicit moments of a sacred pause and connectedness (from the book 5 Minute Prescription: For Health, Happiness, & Meaning in Life by M. Dezelic & G. Ghanoum). We take a brief moment to pause and connect to

Father Gabriel, in a self-described “humbling moment,” caring for a 30-yearold woman with Down syndrome, Covid, and brain dead. This photo is kept in his office and “lifts and connects me when I’m feeling down.”

Photography by John Paul Rosario

this present moment together by drinking a cappuccino or other beverage, practicing humaneness in action, compassion, and selfless love.

When I introduce myself to patients and family, I tell them that while I am a Catholic priest, my religion is kindness, and my faith is presence; I come here as a fellow human being to be supportive in one’s difficult moments. When asked to pray for a person, regardless of their particular faith, it is an opportunity to connect and transcend. Being present while sitting and listening to their story is essential to the “we” in their path to wellness. I have learned through

the countless people who have touched my life that most people need someone to be by their side. They need to express themselves, and be heard, valued, and witnessed. And often need someone to share their pain with to lessen its grip. My role has led me to serve as a facilitator for meaningful conversations needed for healing ruptured relationships in one’s last moments of life.

With the deaths and transitions that I witness, standing at the edge with the dying, and listening to the stories of patients that are transitioning, my main

goal is to evoke dignity and respect. At this very edge, I have discovered their courage and freedom. Speaking with families to guide them in making funeral arrangements and being present during their unique grief process makes me remember the beauty and fragility of life and recognize my responsibility for my own aliveness at this moment. This sort of radical empathy and connection brings us closer to one another, bonding us through the fabric of living and dying.

Twelve years ago, the power of proximity brought me the gift of caring for a 100-year-old lady who is still connected to me today through our common cause. After she transitioned, I found out that she had no family. Because of her, I started a project called “No One Buried Alone” to offer a proper burial service of love and connection within the community. John F. Kennedy challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. In his words: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

I am deeply influenced by the work of Anthony DeMello and his concept of, “being a mirror of goodness.”

DeMello also wrote, “the finest act of love you can offer is an act of seeing: When you serve people, you help, support, comfort, alleviate pain. When you see people in their inner beauty and goodness, you transform and create.”

Being a mirror of goodness means letting others know what we most appreciate or love about them. The power of proximity allows us to be the mirror of goodness for one another on our journey together.

Books Co-Authored by Father Gabriel

- Transcending Grief: Recovering Meaning & Practical Tools for Navigating the Journey Through the World of Loss

- 5 Minute Prescription: For Health, Happiness, & Meaning in Life

-Trauma Treatment - Healing the Whole Person

-Transforming Relationships: Essentials for Building Bridges of Connection

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

When I introduce myself to patients and family, I tell them that while I am a Catholic priest, my religion is kindness and my faith is presence; I come here as a fellow human being to be supportive in one’s difficult moments.

Father Gabriel Ghanoum.

Photo by Peter Gorman Photography

By: Holly J Stewart, LCSW www.yspb.org | @young_singers_palm_beaches

Over the past decade, arts programs in schools have been almost eliminated by budget reductions, educational reforms and the demands of standardized testing despite evidence they improve academic performance and mental health. Studies show art education improves mathematical and spatial-temporal reasoning, reading and verbal skills, and language proficiency resulting in higher grades and gains in academic IQ. Musical education strengthens attention, interpersonal skills, emotional health and impulse control, providing a protective factor for depression and anxiety. Art and music scaffolds emotional expression for young children who lack the necessary frontal lobe development and formal operational thought to express their experiences. It provides us the opportunity to address isolation, chronic stress, trauma, race, and socio-economic differences in a safe supportive space.

Even as arts magnet programs have gained prominence, other schools struggle to provide even minimal art and music education. It is not unusual for elementary school children to receive only 1 hour of arts education a week for 6 to 8 weeks out of the school year, or only a semester of arts education in middle school. By high

school, arts education is nearly absent from the curriculum outside of select schools or overburdened electives. Under-resourced Title 1 schools are even less likely to provide arts education as they are burdened with meeting the educational and basic needs of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Many parents lack the resources to enroll their children in high performing school and magnet programs. (Birth to 22 Educational Equity)

NOTES FROM A FEW OF THE YOUNG SINGERS

(Caroline Downey)

Music is a powerful tool. YSPB showed me that it can move an audience, make people reflect, and unite people of various backgrounds and ages.

(Mickela Pitter)

Struggling with the trauma of isolation following COVID, families are eager for their children to receive the mental health and academic benefits of music and art education. (Birth to 22: Becoming a Trauma Sensitive Community) We challenge you to get involved: advocate for arts education in our schools and afterschool programs, enjoy the many arts and cultural activities available in our community, and participate in May’s Get Your Green On Campaign for Mental Health Awareness.

but singing never is. I know the world won’t ever be at peace but through singing, it sure seems peaceful. Singing not only unites people but betters people. Whether I sing with my family, friends, or even just alone I know that singing brings happiness. And last, I sing just to sing sometimes. (Who doesn’t sing?)

Singing, dancing, and music welcome all. It’s something everyone can enjoy taking part in. Young Singers’ Cantate, Bel Canto and Men’s Choirs send positive messages through performance to their audiences.

I sing to touch the hearts of others in hopes of one day everyone coming together despite each other’s differences. I also sing because it is a part of me that I can never let go because it is one of the only things that makes me happy and it’s the easiest way for me to express myself since, when I talk, people don’t seem to understand what I’m trying to say.

(Olivia Martinez)

I sing because sometimes singing is all I can do. When life gets stressful and I feel stuck, singing can help. I sing because I believe I can change the world. There is always something to be sad about

(Devin Embrich)

I sing because singing makes me feel my eternal soul and when I sing I want people to feel the same way that I am while I am singing the song. I sing because not only does it brighten my day but I want to brighten other people’s day as well. When I sing, all of the frustration of the day goes away and it is just me, one on one with the music and there is no better feeling than that.

(Emily Binder)

Singing brings me happiness like nothing else can. It lets me get away from all the drama, crazy family stuff, or any pain I am feeling.

Since 2019, BeWellPBC, as a county-wide initiative, has evolved into a movement that is transforming behavioral health and wellness in Palm Beach County. BeWellPBC Community Connectors are Palm Beach County residents who emphatically engage community members, their fellow neighbors, system leaders, and providers to support residents how they want to thrive. Together, we take action to change the status quo and positively impact Palm Beach County’s behavioral health outcomes.

Come Join the Community Connectors Team!

Help bridge the gap and connect your neighbors to what they want and need.

What is a Community Connector?

A Community Connector is someone who is passionate about helping their community.A Community Connector is someone who advocates for their community to have more connections to services and support. A Community Connector is someone who is ready to increase awareness and decrease disparities in behavioral health.

Are you the go-to person in your neighborhood?

Do you have a passion for behavioral health and wellness and want to be part of a team that is vigorously working to stomp out the stigma that is associated within some of our communities?

If the answer is Yes, then we want to Connect with you! BeWellPBC is looking to expand the team, beginning in the following areas: Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Lake Park, Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, and The Glades.

How are you going to be celebrating Get Your Green On this year?

What: Temple Health Session

Who: Open Where: Temple 4311 Hood Rd, FL 33410

When: 5.3.23

More Info: Contact Cindy.Wides@Alpertjfs.org

What: 2nd Annual Mind & Body Connection

5K presented by Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches

Who: Open to everyone

Where: Dreher Park South West Palm Beach, FL US 33405

When: 4.29.23 at 7:30 AM

More info: https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/ FL/WestPalmBeach/MindBodyConnection5K

Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches presents its 2nd Mind & Body Connection 5k, a race for runners and walkers of all ages in Dreher Park South, West Palm Beach, Florida. The race features a 5K (3.1 mile) scenic route in Dreher Park. Enjoy a post-run snack, live music and awards ceremony after the race.

What: Proclamation Signing for Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month

Who: Open to everyone

Where: Board of County Commissioners Chambers, 6th floor Robert Weisman Government Center, 301 N. Olive Ave. West Palm Beach

When: 5.2.23 at 9:30 a.m.

Join the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County as they officially declare May 2023 as Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month.

Come to this training health basics, and tools.

CINDY WIDES

DARLY ADAMS

MAYOR GREGG WEISS

What: Fashion Art Ball 2.0

Who: Open to everyone

Where: Arts Warehouse, 313 NE 3rd St, Delray Beach, FL 33444

When: 5.18.23 from 5:00 to 9:00pm

A celebration of fashion, art, and music in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. In partnership with Deon C. Jefferson, BeWell PBC, and Arts Warehouse. This year, the theme for attire is Super Hero. This is a free event and is open to the public!

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.

DEON C. JEFFERSON

Your Voice Matters

By: Kimberly Comer | www.namipbc.org

My journey with chronic health conditions began in 1989, resembling the 1975 movie, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

For the next 23 years, for many reasons, I cycled in and out of various hospital facilities. As a result, I lost employment opportunities and relationships between myself and my children. In addition, I experienced housing instability, was incarcerated in multiple county jails multiple times, and ultimately secured residency in a maximum security prison (23 hours a day/7 days a week).

I was most recently hospitalized on August 27, 2012. Then, I was introduced to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which allowed me to develop a wellness program to live my healthiest quality of life.

The process has spanned the better part of a decade. I have participated in support groups and taken evidence-based education classes such as Peer-to-Peer and the Wellness Recovery Action Plan.

During this time, I was encouraged to share my story, experiences, and voice

through a signature program NAMI offers called In Our Own Voice (IOOV). This is where the healing began. Advocacy has allowed me and many others to know that our experiences were meaningful. When shared, they can be powerful and provide opportunities for systems change.

There are several barriers to accessing mental health care in this country. They are as wide-ranging as inadequate reimbursement to provider shortages to dealing with the stigma of a mental health diagnosis and the lack of full implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Coordinating efforts with both NAMI and the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition, a large group of us headed to Tallahassee for Behavioral Health Day this past February. It was one of the first in-person events since the pandemic began and it was amazing to see everyone in person.

Sandra McQueen-Baker, Representative Allison Tant, Jarrod Strickland, Gayle Giese

Patrick Heidemann, Katherine Murphy, Kimberly Comer,Representative Jervonte Edmonds, Davy Yue, Cyprianna Jackson

In addition to connecting with peers and like-minded people working in the field of mental health, we also got a chance to connect with legislators which was encouraging as they were compassionate, kind and engaged.

One of the biggest issues we spoke about was the importance of funding the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Line provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week all across the United States. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people and since the line’s inception in 2005, it has received over 20 million calls. The tireless work of the hotline and crisis counselors is helping to save lives and we need to ensure the good work continues. After speaking with legislators, I felt like we were all working towards the same outcome - improving the lives of everyone living in the amazing state of Florida. The opportunity to participate in the statewide Behavioral Health Day brings together all modalities that integrate whole health and recovery. The courage that each person shows in sharing their family’s experiences with the legislators responsible for funding the programs that impact each of us is where the change is. It feels incredible to be surrounded by like-minded individuals advocating for the same thing: hope and the opportunity to live our healthiest quality of life.

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.

Advocacy has allowed me and many others to know that our experiences were meaningful. When shared, they can be powerful and provide opportunities for systems change.

Giovanna Vanegas, Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, Edith Zewadski-Bricker, Davy Yue

Amy McClellan, Dr. Sandra Cumper Boynton, Representative Hillary Cassel, Marilyn Lieberman, Sandra McQueen-Baker, Joquetta Griffith, Giovanna Vanegas

The Path to Wellness Starts in Our Parks

By: Christopher Korbelak | www.pbcparks.com | IG: @PBCParks

Active lifestyles are critical to a healthy mind and body, but many people don’t get out and don’t move as much as they should. For over 50 years, the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department (PBC Parks) has provided diverse, safe, affordable recreation services and opportunities for healthy, happy living for its residents and visitors. The department is committed to offering various options to help you and your loved ones find balance and stay fit.

Public parks and recreation agencies are becoming vital healthcare resources. They play a fundamental role in creating healthy communities and enhancing the physical environments in which we live. They support good health for people of all abilities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and ethnicities through facilities, outdoor settings, and services

provided. For example, numerous studies have shown that a connection to nature helps relieve stress levels, tightens interpersonal relationships, and improves mental health. Additionally, public parks provide opportunities for patients to reduce obesity and the incidence of chronic disease through increased rigorous physical activity in various forms. And they foster overall wellness and healthful habits, such as becoming tobacco-free and engaging in enrichment opportunities that add balance to life.

Across the United States, parks, healthcare providers, public health agencies, and other entities have successfully facilitated physicianpatient conversations about active living through “park prescription” programs, connecting individuals and families to free opportunities for physical activity close to their homes. The goal is to increase the time patients spend enjoying physical activity to prevent or treat health problems resulting from inactivity and poor diet and provide physicians and other healthcare providers with new tools to inspire them to improve their health.

Cardio activities like swimming at our pools and aquatic centers help you

Palm Beach County Parks provide serene trails and paths

de-stress while helping reduce your chances for preventable diseases like obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Playing sports at our facilities can help improve essential skills like attentiveness, handeye coordination and team-building skills. Run and play on our sports fields to create healthy lifestyles and life-long bonds with friends and teammates. Countless miles of paved multi-use pedestrian pathways and fitness trails, many with exercise stations, can be found throughout the park system. PBC Parks enable people to experience adventure and challenge their minds and bodies. They also make fitness fun and offer unique and equitable physical activity opportunities.

PBC Parks enhances the lives of over 5,000 persons with disabilities annually through various affordable and often free recreational services and socially inclusive programs. Access to safe, fun, innovative, and accessible places to play is an ideal embraced wholeheartedly by Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation staff through inclusive playgrounds and wheelchairaccessible facilities to adaptive sports programs and various leisure pursuits.

Facilitating health and wellness opportunities is a core service of the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. Regardless of age, gender, or ability, the path to wellness starts in our parks. Discover healthy, happy living at www.pbcparks.com and follow @PBCParks and #pbcparks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress.

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.

There are many exercise opportunities within the Palm Beach County Parks.

Studies have shown that a connection to nature helps relieve stress levels, tightens interpersonal relationships, and improves mental health.

Palm Beach County Parks provides fields and turf for group sports

Families enjoying a gator touch learning experience

Q A

Get your questions answered here

The Source is a place for Palm Beach County residents and experts to connect and exchange information

Some people are using A.I. as therapists now. I read an entire thread between a woman and her A.I., and it felt very realistic. In your opinion, is using A.I. going to be as effective as a licensed therapist? P.H.

A.I. can provide decent advice and guidance. However, I don’t believe A.I. will be as effective as a licensed therapist. A significant part of the therapeutic process is creating a therapeutic alliance - a collaborative relationship between the therapist and client that grows over time. I don’t believe an A.I. therapist could create a meaningful therapeutic alliance in which the client can genuinely connect and grow in therapy, as an A.I. therapist cannot relate to the human experience.

A

When clients express their deepest feelings and traumas, human experience and connection are necessary.

- Marcia Bahia

Your question about using A.I. as a therapist is very timely and interesting. Can you absorb the advice given by an A.I. bot who has never experienced the circumstances you have encountered rather than dealing with a human who might have? Can you credit A.I. for giving you answers that apply to the needs and emotions you have expressed as a human? I would ask you to do your homework. Ask questions of a licensed therapist and then ask A.I. bot the same questions. Which answers meet your wants? Then go with the modality that best meets your demands.

- Margaret Newton

Q A A

Many of my friends and family are moving away due to the cost of living. How do you handle so many changes at once? J.R.

Coping with many people moving away in your close circle can feel scary and overwhelming. Turning to your support system and allowing yourself to acknowledge and process your fears and anxieties will help you cope with changes. Seeking therapy during this transitional time can provide additional support where you can express your feelings and find new ways to move forward.

- Marcia Bahia

Family and friendships are essential to our well-being, and living costs are not getting any easier to endure. I ask

you to acknowledge the fear and loss you are experiencing. You are experiencing a significant change. Remember, they did not leave because of you. They left because they needed to find another route for their survival. Soften the blow of family and friends leaving by making changes you always wanted to but never did. While this will not replace those you miss, it may help you view your situation in a different light and with a different lens.

- Margaret Newton

My son was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and his doctor recommends extended time on his tests. He’s worried about what his classmates will think if he stays behind to complete work, but I’m concerned about what will happen if he doesn’t. What kind of advice or support can I give him? L.W.

It’s essential to validate your son’s feelings while also expressing the importance of him receiving the help he needs to succeed in school. If you haven’t yet, maybe provide him with

age-appropriate material that explains ADHD and how his accommodations will help him feel less stressed and at ease. This will help normalize his diagnosis and understand why he needs the accommodations and support. The school and parents of other ADHD children can also offer some insight. I am sure other parents go through similar challenges.

- Marcia Bahia

Your child is already worried about what his classmates think, so you, as his parent working with your team, find out what your child does well and then exploit that skill to the other children. Please support your child by sharing with him that he needs extra time for test taking, but he does not need extra time putting a ball in the basket or winning a race on the track field. Soon the other children will give him allocations for his skill rather than dwell on his test-taking needs. Every child is good at something other children respect, such as telling jokes, playing basketball, running track, drawing cartoons, etc. You must take advantage of what other kids value and help your child to value it too.

- Margaret Newton

Marcia Bahia

Marcia Bahia has been an employee of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for the past 13 years. As a Gang Prevention Coordinator, Ms. Bahia works closely with local legislators, Clergy, service providers, and concerned citizens, creating programs to help reduce the number of youth entering gangs and, consequently, the Juvenile Justice System. She is also a member of the PBC Reentry Task Force, a countywide committee established to assist individuals who are transitioning back from incarceration and/or probation into mainstream society. Additionally, Ms. Bahia coordinates the Gang Tattoo Removal Program in

partnership with the P.B.C. Medical Society. Previously, Ms. Bahia was employed by the Palm Beach County School District Police Department and managed the Youth Court – a juvenile diversion program. Additionally, Ms. Bahia has experience in the Child Welfare System, where she worked for six years as a foster care counselor for the Department of Children and Families. She received a bachelor’s degree from Barry University and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Margaret Newton

Margaret “Nosente” Newton lives by the motto, “I am a Believer in Impossibilities.” Newton’s objective in life is to familiarize communities with the wonders of Black Studies, Story-telling, Reading, Meditation, Intercultural Fluency, and the Great African Diaspora.

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 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.

Harreen Bertisch

Harreen Bertisch-- a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, colleague, and champion for children-gone all too soon.

Born on June 21, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, Harreen attended Brooklyn College, spending her summers as a camp counselor in the Catskills. It was there that she met Robert “Bob” Bertisch, who would become her life partner.

After graduation in 1968, Harreen and Bob married, and Harreen moved to Miami, where Bob was a second-year law student. From Miami, Florida, to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to New Haven, Connecticut, and finally, in 1980, to Palm Beach County, Florida, everywhere Harreen went following Bob’s career path, she made an indelible mark on the community.

Her passion was children. Whether at the Jewish Community Center in Miami or the Kaplan Jewish Community Center in West Palm Beach, Harreen developed programs for children to thrive and be inspired.

As Associate Director of the Kaplan JCC, Harreen initiated the highly acclaimed program “Wild Things, A Children’s Right to Read,” an interactive reading readiness exhibit for low-income children based on Maurice Sendak’s celebrated book “Where

the Wild Things Are.” She followed that exhibit with one based on another popular children’s series, “Curious George.” Harreen helped create the preschool and afterschool programs.

In 1994, Harreen became the Development Director of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, where Harreen and her team raised over $20 million to support free legal services for children, victims of domestic violence and elder abuse, and people living in

In 2006, Harreen was recognized as a Woman of Distinction by the March of Dimes due to her work as chair of the Children’s Advisory Council for Palm Beach County and co-creator of the Community Back to School Bash, which provides school supplies to over 8,000 disadvantaged children each year. She was a founder of Rebekah’s House, a place for single homeless

Fiercely committed to children, Harreen established the Children’s Emergency Fund at Legal Aid which has provided medicines, beds, clothing, and other necessities to foster, homeless, delinquent, and other needy children for the past 15

She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be hugely

The Spotlight is the space to recognize the amazing people and diverse work of behavioral health helpers and careers in Palm Beach County. To nominate someone, send an email to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Spotlight” in the subject line.

The Palm Beach County Youth Services Department

The Palm Beach County Youth Services Department provides a variety of services for youth and their families in Palm Beach County. Many of the youth and families served have experienced trauma, so it is essential that every service provided is done through a trauma-informed lens. The Department received certification in the Sanctuary Model of Trauma-Informed Care by the Andrus Sanctuary Institute in the fall of 2022.

The Sanctuary Model, originally developed by Dr. Sandra Bloom, is a blueprint for clinical and organizational change. The trauma-informed model promotes an environment emphasizing the seven commitments of nonviolence, emotional intelligence, social learning, open communication, social responsibility, democracy, and growth and change.

The Department worked towards this certification, building from the certification of the Highridge Family Center in 2019, for three years. Staff at all levels embraced this organizational model. The certification symbolizes the Youth Services Department’s commitment to providing a higher level of care, a traumasensitive environment for the clients and community served, and a better work environment for employees.

“Some of the children and families we serve have experienced multiple traumatic events that impact behaviors and the ability to cope. Our goal is to build resiliency for our youth,” said Tammy K. Fields, Director of the Youth Services Department.

Implementing the Sanctuary Model of Trauma Informed Care at Youth Services aligns with the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners’ strategic priorities and the objectives in the Birth to 22 United for Brighter Futures Youth Master Plan. The implementation of the model also increases measurable levels of hope, safety, trust, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills in both staff and clients.

UNITED FOR BRIGHTER FUTURES

The seventh annual Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures taskforce meetings titled Engaged Voices for Brighter Futures was recently facilitated virtually. The annual meeting serves to inform, engage and plan with the key champions, coalitions, and young people about the work of Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures. These meetings looked different than years past. First, it was split into two meetings: Tuesday, December 13, 2022, and Saturday, January 21, 2023. The goal was to be more accessible for parents and youth by holding an event on the weekend. Participation was incentivized with community service hours or gift cards for youth and parents. This resulted in 100 participants in December and 51 in January.

Ike Powell, Senior Program Specialist at Youth Services Department (YSD), hosted both events. Geeta Loach-Jacobson, YSD Director of Community Outreach and Programming, and LaNita Sanders, Community Planning and Partnership Lead at the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County (CSC), introduced the participants to Birth to 22 and shared videos about the 2022 accomplishments, Future Leaders United for Change, and the Girls Coordinating Council.

The December meeting was tailored more towards Birth to 22 members, stakeholders, and community agencies than the January meeting, which focused on obtaining feedback from the youth and families. In December, Tammy K. Fields, YSD Department Director, and Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of the CSC, presented the 2022 accomplishments and the benefits of collective impact.

Jeannette Gordon, an independent consultant, facilitated breakouts and discussions around the newly identified strategic priorities. In the 2022 Community Conversations, the community stated that the three most significant areas of need are mental health, economic access, and education. The taskforce meeting served to gather additional information around these strategic priorities. This information will then be used to build the Youth Master Plan 2.0; the blueprint for setting priorities and taking action to improve the lives of children and youth in Palm Beach County.

•

* The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has rebranded to “988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline”- with the new three-digit 9-8-8 number replacing its longer ten-digit 1-800-273-TALK (8255) version.

211’s highly trained and caring staff will continue to be the frontline responder for crisis calls from both 2-1-1 and the 9-8-8 number.

5th Annual

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS RESOURCE

Saturday, May 20th, 2023 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Keiser University Flagship Campus- Student Life Center

2600 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, 33409 *by bus use palmtran.org/TripPlanner

Activities

RESOURCE TABLES

FREE & Open to the Public

LOTS OF GIVE-A-WAYS Workshop Topics Include: Bullying, Human Trafficking,

DANCE PERFORMANCES

MUSIC ORATORS &

Brain Health & Emotional Well-Being, Mental Health First Aid, Housing Crisis

Questions: (561) 660-8156

Vendor/Exhibitor Registration: www.WestPalmBeachMentalHealth.com

The Breakers Palm Beach lights up green in the month of May to encourage Palm Beach County to honor their mental health and wellness.