Recognizing the signs that someone is experiencing challenges with a mental health concern is part of what can be, a complicated puzzle. How we put the rest of the pieces in place determines how effective the outcome will be. Here are some tips to consider to when addressing concerns and providing meaningful support:

• A Comfortable Setting: As we approach someone to discuss the things we have noticed, or the concerns we have, it is important to find the right time and place. Finding a quiet, neutral setting allows for more open discussion without the added stress of others listening in on the conversation. Speaking to the person in private lessens the potential for feelings of embarrassment; however, we also want to ensure the location is not intimidating or causing discomfort.

• Remove Judgement: Spend time thinking through what you want to say, and how you want to say it before the conversation takes place. Even when we feel there is no bias or influence in our words, our tone of voice or body language may convey a different message. Ensure all channels of communication align when speaking but remember, being an active listener may take even more attention and focus. Avoid interruptions, distractions, and assumptions. After discussing your concerns, provide support by understanding the person and their experience without judgement.

• Provide Hope: It is not realistic to think that you will have all the answers or be able to solve all the problems, but you can offer reassurance and hope. Telling someone what they should do, or giving advice, is not always wanted or helpful. Statements like “you are not alone in this, I want to help…” or “we can get through this, let’s talk about what we can do…” show that you care and are ready to assist. Validating how someone feels further assures them that it is OK if they are not feeling OK—“it is understandable to be hurt after something like that happens” or “it is natural to feel this way after an experience like that.”

• Explore Options: Brainstorm what may help in the short-term and in the long-term. Offering hope and compassion may make someone feel better in that moment, but exploring strategies, like coping skills and self-care, to be used if the same feelings come up again, can allow the person to see there are many ways to get through challenges. Perhaps there are also things you can do together, like meeting up for walks or joining a community group. Identifying professional means of care are also worth discussing. There is a world of treatment professionals, many with specialized skills to meet individual needs—therapists, psychiatrists, peer specialists, substance use counselors, and more!

• Know the Resources: Each community is equipped with a variety of localized resources to provide needs like food, shelter, medical care, financial assistance and more. Many factors may be contributing to mental health challenges. By meeting those basic needs first, a person may be more willing and able to focus on their mental well-being. Research what your community has available and stay informed on these valuable services. In Collier County, download Collier CARES, a mobile app with an abundance of resources that can be filtered by category and location (can also be visited online at colliercares.org).

Providing help to those around us builds a stronger, healthier community. We can all make a difference in the lives of others by providing compassion, kindness and empathy. David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health has a comprehensive continuum of care from prevention to crisis services. When immediate support is needed, the Emergency Services Assessment Center is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

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Per CDC reports, more than 107,000 Americans died from overdoses in the last year. Narcan (Naloxone) is a potentially life-saving medication designed to help reverse the effects of an opiate overdose. This medication comes as a nasal spray and is easily carried and administered. It works by blocking the opiate receptors in your brain. Because the potency of illicit synthetic narcotics is so strong, such as Fentanyl, it often takes more that one kit to reverse an overdose. It is important to note that if the client is not overdosed from an opiate, the Narcan spray will not harm them.

Narcan is available free of charge at DLC and is available to any individual in the community! Education is provided about Narcan through a short 7-minute video and educational handouts.

Though there are many examples of the “positive effects of having Narcan to dispense,” I would like to share a specific example. We have a client ​that we have gotten to know very well over the years. She has over 90 episodes of care with DLC since 2013. This client has co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses, as well as a long history of trauma. She had limited to no coping skills when we first engaged her in treatment. She had limited impulse control and relapsed multiple times over the years. Recently, she overdosed on Fentanyl and was revived with a Narcan kit given to her on her last detox admission. Since this incident, the client made the decision to put all her energy into her mental health and substance use disorder treatment. She is currently thriving in a long-term residential treatment program. She calls us every week to let us know how she is doing. She is so grateful to be alive today and knows she would not be without DLC and the Narcan kit we provided her.

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Collier County Judge Janeice Martin says she’s a “fan of second chances.”

That’s why she enjoys her role overseeing Drug Court, which seeks to help defendants with a felony charge who also have a substance use disorder. Drug Court sentences individuals to a program of therapy and rehabilitation, rather than incarceration, in the hope that they’ll break the cycle of crime and addiction and become productive members of society.

It seems to be working well—so well, in fact, that the Collier County Drug Court Team recently received national recognition for their excellence. DLC plays a significant role in the program, helping people to battle and overcome their struggles.

The National Drug Court Institute (NCDI) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance recently named the Collier County Drug Court Team into its 2020 Mentor Court Network. Our team was one of just eight nationwide to receive this recognition.

“We’re really proud that the national folks thought our team worthy of this,” says Judge Martin. “I hope this pushes us up to our best game.”

Beverly Belli, DLC’s Director of Adult Community Services, says the recognition is a nod to the team’s “level of professionalism and clinical services provided.”

Martin’s courtroom and DLC are joined on the Drug Court Team by the Sheriff’s Office, Probation Office, State Attorney, and Public Defenders Office. The Drug Court program also receives support from Collier County’s Health and Human Services Division.

As a Mentor Court, the Collier team will train teams from around the nation that want to learn how to start or improve their own drug courts. Teams will come to Collier County, observe its drug court practices, and take what they’ve learned back to their communities.

DLC leading the way

Judge Martin said Drug Court—and other problem-solving courts like Mental Health Court and Veterans Court—is thriving mostly because of DLC’s help.

“They have stepped up to lead the way in the evolution of these courts,” she says. “Even when a federal grant expired for this, DLC remained committed, and they’ve always found a way to keep it going. We wouldn’t have this at all without DLC.”

Before she was a Collier County Judge, Martin was an attorney in the field of criminal law, both as a prosecutor and as a defender. So she was keenly aware that many perpetrators needed help with mental health and substance use issues—often more than they needed to be incarcerated.

“I like giving people the opportunity to pursue treatment instead of sending them to jail,” says Judge Martin.

There are many success stories coming out of Drug Court, but Belli and Martin each shared one that particularly stuck with them.

Belli remembers a 30-year-old woman with a special needs child who had a history of opioid use disorder and had been incarcerated for a felony. She almost lost legal rights to her child because of her addiction, but after completing the Drug Court program and staying sober, she now has full custody of her child, a full-time job, and is flourishing.

Martin remembers a man who had been through Drug Court before, but was unsuccessful. Typically, people aren’t allowed to retake the program after failing it, but a clerical error led to the man being admitted a second time.

“And this time, he knew the value of the opportunity from Day One,” says Judge Martin. “He took it for all it was worth. Now he’s five years sober, successful, and happy.”

To learn more about Drug Court, click here.

The post Local Drug Court Team: One of the Nation’s Best appeared first on David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health.

In her position, Kelly Ballesteros Buitrago implements evidence based prevention programs throughout the community, and in both school and after-school settings. Prevention programming focuses on reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors. Youth of all ages, ranging from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, learn about, and improve, emotion management skills, peer refusal strategies, risk reduction techniques, decision making skills, setting and achieving goals, the negative consequences of substance use, and more. “During my time working at David Lawrence Centers I have had the opportunity to work in the community with children, teens, and adults. I have gained knowledge about mental health and the impact of substance use on people’s lives. I am proud to have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives with our programs. I teach them, but they also teach me!”

Fun Fact: “I was born in the United States, but I grew up and was raised in Colombia,” says Ballesteros Buitrago. “I decided to return to the United States after 20 years with the aim of continuing my studies in Social Work. At this stage of my life, where the opportunity to work with the community and especially children has been presented, I have discovered a new passion. I am convinced that to educate small minds with love you need to have a great heart.”

Favorite:

• TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
• Movie: Marvel movies
• Food: Pasta
• Hobby or past time: Spending time with family and friends, dancing and reading.
• Animal: Dogs
• Part about working in Prevention and at DLC: Working with my team and the kids

The post Getting to Know DLC’s Prevention Specialist Kelly Ballesteros Buitrago appeared first on David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health.

In her position, Vanessa Rivero Gil implements evidence-based prevention programs throughout the community, and in both school and after-school settings. Prevention programming focuses on reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors. Youth of all ages, ranging from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, learn about, and improve, emotion management skills, peer refusal strategies, risk reduction techniques, decision making skills, setting and achieving goals, the negative consequences of substance use, and more.

“What I like the most about being a Prevention Specialist is that I feel I’m making a difference in children’s lives,” says Rivero Gil. “When I transitioned from the DLC Medical Services Department, I told everyone I was going to try my very best so future generations would not need higher levels of care and that has been my vision since I started.”

Favorite:

• TV Show: Friends
• Movie: Eat, Pray & Love
• Food: Guacamole
• Hobby or past time: Yoga, painting, and dancing
• Animal: Wolf
• Part about working in Prevention and at DLC: The amazing friendships I’ve developed. DLC has great people to work with!

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That’s the idea behind the new Hospital Bridge Program, a collaboration between DLC, Physicians Regional Medical Center (PRMC), and NCH Healthcare System (NCH), and funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The Bridge program provides peer recovery support and outreach services to individuals experiencing substance use issues in the hospital emergency departments of PRMC and NCH. Peer support services include peer mentoring and education; recovery coaching; referral and linkage to treatment services; and assistance with coordination of services.

As someone who formerly suffered with an addiction to heroin, crack, and alcohol, Jake Ponsky (pictured at right, above) is now five years sober and a Peer Recovery Specialist in the Hospital Bridge Program.“These individuals are often looking for a peer, not someone in a lab coat,” says Ponsky. “I can tell them that I used to be right where they are, and hopefully I can help. They tend to listen.”

Ponsky’s goal is to get the person into a detox or treatment program, either at one of the local medical facilities or at DLC’s Crossroads residential rehab program.

Ponsky remembers one particular client who had just about given up on life after a crushing relapse. “I was able to sit with him, feel his pain, understand, and even talk about my own relapse,” says Ponsky. “I was just trying to sow hope, telling him that I believed in him. I said, ‘We can do this together, you and I.’”

The client listened, continued with his detox and treatment, and regained his sobriety. The Hospital Bridge Program has been implemented successfully in other parts of Florida, mostly to address the opioid epidemic. Ponsky is one of two peer specialists representing DLC in local emergency rooms.

The post New Hospital Bridge Program Provides Peer Counseling for Addiction appeared first on David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health.

The five-year plan, developed by an elected 19-member Mental Illness and Addiction Ad Hoc Advisory Committee, gives county officials and stakeholders a road map for the future investment in and development of programs and initiatives that will lead more people on the road to recovery through six priority areas.

The strategic plan process began several years ago when, then new, Commissioner Andy Solis, Esq. starting meeting with stakeholders to get a handle on the scope and complexity of the issues Collier faced with meeting the need. He has warned how unprepared, both in terms of infrastructure and tools, the County was to deal with the emerging crisis.

Solis learned mental health and addiction affects everything from transportation to housing and hospitals to the school district. Soon after, Solis helped inform the community about the many needs and the voters responded by passing the one-cent sales tax increase in 2018, in part, because it would fund a new 50,000-square-foot, $25 million Central Receiving Facility to be managed by non-profit mental health and addiction treatment center David Lawrence Centers (DLC). Solis then spearheaded the initiative to create the strategic plan and advisory panel to see it through.

The plan addresses the increased demand for crisis support — and the strain that has placed on law enforcement, local hospitals, and DLC.

The plan builds on community strengths and already-working progressive initiatives such as the Court’s Rapid Response Team and Problem Solving Treatment Courts; Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement; the Sheriff’s newly established Mental Health Bureau; and the County’s close collaboration with DLC, advocates, and community supporters.

The development of the plan, these innovative approaches, and unique public-private partnerships are vital to meet the current staggering demand and plan for the future. One especially important driver behind the initiative was recent data showing Florida now ranks dead last among all states per capita spending for mental health – and during a time when the nation’s opioid epidemic is killing more than 70,000 people a year, suicide rates are at an all-time high, and mass shootings are far too frequent.

The plan calls for a coordinated effort for a full array of evidence-informed services that will improve lives and overall quality of life in Collier. These services are guided under the principle that recovery is not only possible, but expected, with appropriate supports so long as they are available.

The committee identified the top priority as the need to build and operate a Central Receiving System to serve persons experiencing an acute mental health or substance use crisis. The Central Receiving Facility will greatly expand the capacity of DLC’s Child and Adult Crisis Stabilization Units and Baker Act Receiving Facility and will now accept Marchman Act Referrals for addiction, which is currently being managed at the jail.

The second critical priority increases housing and support services for persons struggling with mental illness and/or substance dependence. The plan seeks to meet this basic need so that individuals don’t cycle in and out of homelessness, jails, shelters, and hospitals at a high cost to the individual and society.

Other priorities include the establishment of a data collaborative for data sharing and outcomes reporting; an increase in capacity and effectiveness of the justice system response for persons experiencing serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders; a non-emergency transportation plan that will free up law enforcement and provide a more dignified, humane, and timely method of transportation to and from acute care facilities; and improvement of community prevention, advocacy, and education.

The plan also pays special attention to Collier’s Veteran population and seniors, who often deal with these challenges, but sometimes in unique ways.

“Now is the time to mobilize this blueprint to better treat mental health and addiction recovery and provide every opportunity for advancing hope, healing, and wellness,” says Scott Burgess, Collier County Mental Illness and Addiction Ad Hoc Committee Chair and DLC CEO.

Click here to view the Mental Health and Addiction Services Five-Year Strategic Plan.

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As the refrain “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” plays in every store and radio station across the country, the holidays are anything but wonderful for many. Though depression may occur at any time of the year, holiday-induced stress and anxiety can cause even the most cheerful among us to feel out of step with the celebratory mood of the season.

For many, the holidays can bring about feelings of sadness, loneliness, and grief. It reminds us of loved ones who are no longer present due to deaths, disagreements, or family separations.  With all the shopping, holiday parties and family gatherings, our normal routines of self-care such as working out, eating healthy and getting enough sleep can be disrupted.

For those who have dysfunctional families or family members, their reality is far from what we see in Hallmark Christmas movies. Family gatherings around the Christmas tree or Menorah can be extremely difficult, especially if there is unresolved family conflict. Add in overconsumption of alcohol and disagreements about politics and parenting styles and it’s no surprise why so many feel anxious about the pressure to be festive.

The holidays are particularly challenging for those in our community in recovery from a substance use disorder. Exposure to parties with festive cocktails, spiked eggnog and champagne toasts—combined with the routine stress that comes with hustle of the holidays—can be triggers for relapse, particularly for those in early sobriety.

Tips for getting in the holiday spirit:

• Have realistic expectations of yourself and those around you.
• Ask for help. Reach out to your support system.
• Find a special way to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
• Set aside any grievances or conflict with family during the holidays. Wait for a more appropriate time to work through family issues.
• Stick to a schedule. Disrupting your routine can lead to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Exercise and try to eat sensibly.
• Stick to a budget. Avoid the stores if the frenzy of holiday shoppers is a stressor, and consider making online purchases instead.
• Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Learn to say no.
• Bring a friend. If the idea of going to a party or family gathering is making you panic, ask a friend who understands your feelings to accompany you.
• Give yourself permission to take a break! Find ways to recharge and restore balance in your life.
• Start your own traditions that are special and meaningful to you.
• Schedule time with a therapist if your depressive or anxious symptoms persist or increase.

Warning signs of holiday stress and depression

Some of the signs that a loved one may be struggling to cope with holiday stress include: isolating behaviors, withdrawing from activities, repeatedly turning down invitations, or a sad or anxious mood that persists. Worrisome behaviors such as drinking excessively, using substances, ignoring commitments and going off of medications are also signs that something is off.

 Strategies to help others:

• Listen and provide encouragement.
• Offer support, listen and just be present with your loved one. Don’t feel compelled to say the right thing to bring your loved one out of their funk.
• Offer to schedule a therapy session.
• Offer to do something active and distracting with your loved one.
• Help with some of the tasks and chores that may have been neglected.
• Provide positive reinforcement when you notice any improvement.
• If your loved one begins to talk about feeling helpless and hopeless, call a mental health professional. These are indicators of more severe depression and should be addressed right away.

Happy Holidays… is it even possible?

It IS possible to enjoy the holiday season when we maintain a realistic outlook, let go of comparisons and perfectionism, and try to stay balanced with our time, eating habits and activities. Making connections with others and within one’s community leads to increased satisfaction and happiness. Be compassionate to yourself and others. If you are juggling multiple caregiver roles, take time to nourish  yourself, too. Finally, decide on what is important and truly meaningful to you this holiday season. Set a positive intention for your holidays and let that be the guiding spirit to lead you to some holly, jolly cheer.

Consider the Gift of Hope for Someone Suffering This Holiday Season

For those who struggle with mental health and/or substance use, the holidays can be the worst time of the year. Depression, anxiety and stress can soar. For them, these days can feel dark, dismal, and hopeless. For those individuals, DLC is very much a source of light, help and hope. You can become a Light of Hope for those who are hurting this holiday season by making a year-end gift of $100 or more. Click here to make a donation. 

The post Hope for the Holidays appeared first on David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health.

David Lawrence Center’s Crossroads 28-day recovery program does amazing work with people who struggle with addictions. And there are hundreds of success stories to show for it.

That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that there are some who finish Crossroads and end up relapsing – because they have no safe place to turn when they’re done.

What they desperately need is a safe, sober, and supportive place to go. There are only three certified recovery homes in Collier County – with a total of four beds for women and six for men. And while those facilities are excellent, we desperately need more such homes to send our Crossroads graduates – as many as 100 per year.

Studies show that those who end up in a recovery home are much more likely to experience long-term sobriety and success. But with no place to go, many Crossroads graduates end up in the same situations and circumstances that contributed to their addictions in the first place. And, unfortunately, then can end up relapsing.

Maggie Baldwin, Clinical Director of Crossroads, says, “We always feel sad for clients when they don’t have a safe place to go, because we know they are in jeopardy of relapse.”

That’s why David Lawrence Centers is planning its own recovery house. And we’ve already got the perfect name for it: Hope Home. It will be a haven where men and women can continue the great work they’ve begun in Crossroads – in a place brimming with hope and healing.

You can help make this happen. We’ve already raised over half of the $600,000 needed to buy a nearby residence and convert it to a recovery home. We need another $260,000 to reach our goal, and with your generous support, we can get there!

Recovery homes really work. Just ask Jerald, who recently benefited from his stay at one of the existing homes in our community. “It literally saved my life,” he said. “I’ve learned to live again.”

The Hope Home will do the same for many more on the road to recovery.

Click here to make a donation now and help us reach our goal.

The post A House Filled with Hope appeared first on David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health.

It’s why she majored in psychology as an undergrad. It’s why she got a master of science degree in mental health counseling. It’s why she became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. And it’s why she came to David Lawrence Center—in 2014 as a clinician in our Crossroads Addiction and Recovery program.

And, most recently, it’s why she became a Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP), which essentially means she now has even more expertise in working with substance use disorders.

Baldwin, now Clinical Director of the Crossroads program, studied for months to prep for the MCAP certification exam, which she passed recently.

“I found studying for the MCAP exam to be very worthwhile, and deepened my knowledge of addiction treatment,” she said. “Treating addiction really is a specialty, and having the MCAP trickles down to staff, because I can share what I have learned. But most importantly, I can share my passion for this population of clients that I hold near and dear to my heart.”

Baldwin came to DLC in 2014 with 10 years of clinical experience in both community mental health and private practice. Her specialties include the utilization of holistic interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing to assist individuals in healing from addiction.

She is an active member of the Gulf Coast Mental Health Counselors Inc. and the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

To learn more about our Crossroads program, click here.

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