The Source: Get Your Questions Answered Here

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

The stress of the past year has been overwhelming and people need mental health support. How can we help people/our neighbors who are struggling? Anonymous, PBC Resident

Move from a place where you look for Work-Life Balance to creating Work-Life Negotiations. Many of us find ourselves working from home and blending our personal home-life with our work-life, therefore we have to negotiate how we spend time at home and find balance with creating boundaries for ourselves so that we don’t lose our personal family time while remaining gainfully employed from our homes.

Andres Torrens, LCSW

Clinical Director-Behavioral Health Services

Small everyday interactions can make big differences, waves and smiles can go a long way in trying times. Getting to know their names, and what they do will help them feel seen when loneliness creeps in. Being proximate and willing to listen is the first and most important thing we can do to be of service to others.

Jordan A. Smith

Director of Outreach and Soul Care

Q

My 15-year-old son seems unmotivated, spending less time with friends and more time in his room. He says he’s fine, that the pandemic is weighing on him. He is keeping up with schoolwork and has mentioned he wants to play soccer when the season starts. My fear is last winter, he was hospitalized for 3 days on a Baker Act. Now I worry - will I know if his suffering is normal or I need to get him more help? M., Boynton Beach

If he were my child, I would keep him in counseling. Suicides are too common to allow him to go the course alone. My advice is to keep a close watch on him without suffocating him along with doing your best to steer him clear of anything that might be causing him to be anxious or depressed.

A

Dianne Maddox

Lake Worth Resident

We are all experiencing some level of suffering just now, but suffering is not normal – it may be part of life but it is not normal for it to be as sustained and as multifaceted as it has been in recent years. You will know your son better than anyone and I would encourage you to reach out for help to have people in his corner to talk to and to process what is going on. Everyone needs a little more care and love and these times are not ‘normal’ so as you help care for him, please don’t forget to look after

yourself too. There are some great local non-profits such as Providencia Counseling collective who offer great therapy and have lots of scholarships available if finances are an issue.

Jordan A. Smith

Director of Outreach and Soul Care

I keep hearing in the news that drinking and substance abuse have gone up to dangerous levels. I have been drinking more, and I have a history of alcohol abuse in my family. How do I know when too much is too much? J., West Palm Beach

According to the “C.A.G.E.”, a four-question assessment created by J. Ewing in 1984, if you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, it may be indicative of a possible problem and you may need to have a formal assessment conducted to confirm if you have an alcohol problem. The four questions are: 1. Have you ever felt you ought to

Cut down on your drinking or drug use? 2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use? 3. Have you felt bad or Guilty about your drinking or drug use? 4. Have you ever had a drink or used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)? If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, it might be indicative of a problem. Two resources to reach out to would be 211 or www.myfloridamyfamily.com for a resource to a substance abuse professional who can conduct an indepth assessment.

Andres Torrens, LCSW

Clinical Director-Behavioral Health Services

A

I too have a history of alcoholism in my family, along with having my own addictive personality, so for me, one drink is too much. I recommend that you find another outlet to relieve your emotions. It may be spending more time with friends and family, if they are a good influence, pick up or start a new hobby, and believe in a higher power. This life is hard to go at alone. Don’t let the drink in your hand be your friend. It’s a pleasure that can harm you and those around you.

Dianne Maddox

Lake Worth Resident

Jordan A. Smith

Jordan A. Smith is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, and has lived in West Palm Beach since 2015. He is a pastor at Memorial Presbyterian Church and is involved in racial equity projects, multi-faith dialogues, and community building. In his spare time, he loves to golf and find new taco trucks. Connect further on Instagram at @tartan_unicorn

Dianne Maddox

Dianne Maddox is a retired advertising executive who resides in Lake Worth Florida with her husband Chuck. Dianne and Chuck raised their three children in Miamisburg, Ohio. Dianne is active in The Church of Jesus Christ where she serves on the marketing committee.

Andres Torrens

Andres Torrens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Chief Program Officer at Families First of Palm Beach County with more than 30 years of experience in the field of Child Welfare and Mental and Behavioral Health. www.familiesfirstpbc.org

The Source asks YOUR questions to 3 experts: one professional, one community expert (i.e. spiritual leader), and one with lived experience. To ask a question, or to contribute as an expert, email thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Source” in the subject line.