March 4, 2025 • 33 mins
Talked with Andy McAusland, CEO and Zelda Porter, MHAPB Clubhouse Member from Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches (MHAPB). "Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches is a proud Palm Beach County affiliate of Mental Health America, the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. Our mission is to create a supportive community where all people can flourish. Where people with a history of serious mental illness are defined by their talents and skills, not their diagnoses. And where members build resilience for long-term recovery, including:
- Clubhouses in West Palm Beach and Belle Glade, where members work side by side with staff, discovering their talents and abilities and building long-term relationships that support them in increasing social and vocational skills and obtaining employment, education, and housing.
- Peer Place in northern West Palm Beach where members can drop in any time, take part in mindfulness, art, or music activities, join a group support session, or just have a coffee and talk one-on-one with one of MHAPB’s trained peer support mentors.
- Peer Career Readiness Training and Support: The Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) credential is for people who use their lived experience and skills learned in our Peer Career Readiness training to help others achieve and maintain recovery and wellness from mental health and/or substance use conditions.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Ihearts Communities Presents Palm Beach Treasure Coast Perspective, which dad Now, good.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Morning, Welcome to Calm Beast Treasure Coast Perspective. I'm your host,
dev Nev. Thanks for spending your weekend with me. All
kinds of great things happening. Definitely want to check it
out if you have not been to Arts Garage in
a while. Arts Garage and Dowry besas all kinds of
cool things going on, and especially for the kiddos during
the summer, They've got Summer Theater Camp for kids and
for teens and they go from July seventh through August first,
(00:28):
and you can reach out to them at Artscarage dot
org and they have all the stuff lifted there for
you as well as like the nights they do comedy
Night and poetry Night and the different bands that are coming.
They have lots of great music musicians that come through
and there's some comedy nights where you can try your stuff.
So I think that's kind of fun as well. Your
friends come out and support you. Don't forget we're speaking friends.
(00:48):
We talk to the friends of Okahelly Nature Center. They're
doing their annual fundraiser, their gopher tortoise Gallop five k
coming up on Saturday, March twenty second. Also in March,
lots of cool things happening outside Saint Lucie County Hikes.
Does a lot of different hikes in the different preserves.
Does the county bought up all the different preserves to
keep the land in place and green areas, which I
(01:09):
think is fantastic. So later on Sunday, March night, later
on today, they have a Sunday evening wind Down Walk
and that's happening at Citrus Hammock Preserve. Just come out,
enjoy the tranquility of natures. You relax on the Hammock Trail. Wednesday,
March twelfth, eight thirty to eleven thirty am is a
Wild West Walk and that's at the Bluefield Ranch Preserve
(01:30):
Friday March fourteenth and Saturday March fifteenth from a seven
thirty to nine thirty pm. This is a really cool one.
If you've not done it, definitely sign up. It is
the Firefly Bioluminescence Experience and that's happening at the Stephen J.
Fusick Preserve and fireflies which just so fun to watch.
I remember watching the guy as a little kid, so
such a cool thing, such a natural way of people
(01:51):
seeing the bioluminescence. Simply go to SLC Hikes dot org
and they have all the different hikes and paddles and
walks and everything listened on there for you street side
ahead of time, because they do fill up pretty quickly.
Who our friends of the North Museum have law school
things going on. Definitely want to check out Dreamland. It's
the intriguing world of subconscious and that's going on now
through May seventeenth. They have the Art of Calligraphy and
(02:15):
Chinese artists and that's going on now through June twenty ninth.
They have Sorolo and the Sea now through April thirteenth.
Simply go to Norton dot org and they'll list They
have the list of all the current exhibitions going on,
and all the great things are coming up at their
arts after their art after dark, and that's every Friday night.
(02:35):
All the more common museum and gardens because lots of
really fun things happening in March to welcome spring coming.
They've got the joy of care, the joy of carving
happening today and on the fifteenth Sunday, March ninth, is
the Sado Tea Ceremony. There's one also on March thirteenth,
(02:57):
and then again and then on the sixteenth. If you're interested,
they're doing an advanced vance registration is acquired for this
one and it's one hundred and forty dollars per person.
But it's the basics of sushi, so you get to
learn how to make it and do that little class.
That's a lot of fun, and of course you can
always enjoy the gardens. There's calligraphy for a dolls, lots
of kids program something to go to morecommy dot org
(03:19):
and all the programs and stuff are listed there for
you own. Our friends over the Cultural Council sent up
for some fun things to check out. Guys and Dolls
is happening March eighteenth through the sixth at Multi Stuperor Theater.
Agatha Christie's Murder in the Orange Express is happening at
the Delray Beach Playhouse and that's March twenty first through
April thirteenth. Dimensions Dance Theater of Miami will be performing
(03:44):
at the Duncan Theater March twenty first, and the twenty
second pump Each Pride twenty twenty five is happening at
Bryant Park March twenty ninth and the thirtieth. We have
the Simfonia Concert four neighboring Bach and that's going to
be a studio at Meisner Park on March twenty ninth.
So lots of great things happening and definitely want to
(04:06):
check that out. And you can sign up at Palm
Beach culture dot com to get the email of all
the fun events that are happening around town. Lots of
things happening in the publish County parks. There's a Pickaball
clinic if you need some help with your pickaball game,
and that's happening at the cmaa Therapeutic Recreation Complex in
Lake Worth and that is now through March eighteenth, from
(04:26):
ten am to six fifteen. You can reach out to them.
They have canoeing classes and that's happening at Oka Hilly
Nature Center. Coming up on Saturday, March fifteenth, Legends on
the Lawn. The band is called the Relentless Band, so
do we check that out. That's in Boyton Beach. There's
a Vike rodio happening at Westgate Park and Recreation Center
(04:47):
on Friday, March twenty first freed mission good for all ages,
so definitely would check these things out. And then also
they have a night hike happening at Daggerwing Nature Center
in Boca and that is Tuesday, March twenty fifth at
seven pm for all ages. Speaking of fun things, I
want to welcome my guests for today. I have got
Andy mccauslin and Zelda Porter from Mental Health of America.
(05:11):
Good morning guys, Good morning morning Debb. So Andy, you
tell us a little about You're the CEO for the
program tell us listeners and I a little bit about
Mental Health America of the Pump Beaches.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Sure, so, I'm Andy mccauslin. I am the CEO of
Mental Health America of the pomp Beaches. Mental Health America
is a national organization based in Washington, d C. It's
one of the oldest nonprofits in America. It's been around
since nineteen oh nine, so over one hundred years old,
and it was started by a gentleman in Connecticut who
(05:43):
suffered from a mental health challenge and the treatment for
mental health people who suffer from mental health condition back
then was chaining them to a wall in an institution,
and he started the organization as a way to advocate
for humane treatment for people who suffer from mental health challenge.
So over time, affiliates around the country have sprung up
(06:07):
from and the national organization is in DC. We're one
of about one hundred and thirty affiliates around the country
and we cover Palm Beach County. There's a couple other
affiliates in Florida as well, and South Florida which covers
Broward and Dade and Indian River and a few others
around Florida. And so we've been around since nineteen forty nine.
(06:28):
So we're celebrating our seventy fifth year as a nonprofit
locally supporting and advocating and educating the public on mental
health conditions and advocating for humane treatment for those who
face a mental health challenge in their lives or maybe
a loved one face is a mental health challenge. And
(06:49):
so that's that's what we've been involved in.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Oh that's fantastic. Yeah, I know, my youngest sister, she
was listed and the terminolog terminology has changed now, so
please don't byby invented, But back then it was called TMR,
which stood fortrainably mentally retarded. Basically, it meant that her
brain only developed to like the level of maby five
year old, so she could learn like a rote task.
(07:13):
You could show her how to like stuff envelopes in
the morning and she would do it all day long,
so happy. Then you have to show again the next day.
But you know, she could learn and retain it for
the day. A few things she was able to retain
to the next day, but not much. But it was
really difficult because there really wasn't much in place to
help her, and we were very small town, so there
(07:34):
wasn't much there.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Yeah, that's that's right. And over time, you know, we
as Mental Health America has advocated for humane treatment and
for policy that really supports people and their families who
have mental health condition. You know, times have changed. So
when we were founded in nineteen forty nine, coincidentially and ironically,
(07:57):
the Nobel Prize was a war to a Portuguese neurosurgeon
who piloted the frontal low of levotomy, which is sticking
an ice pick in someone's brain really who's volatile and
mucking around in it and severing you know, nerves and
creating you know, plasticity someone who's placid. So if you
(08:19):
saw one flew over the cuckoo's nests. That's what happens
at the end, and so you can think about one
flew over the cuckoo's nest and think about where we
are today. We have come a long way since our
founding in nineteen forty nine, but there's you continue to
advocate and there's continual a work to do to reduce
the stigma that's associated with mental health illness. And you know,
(08:42):
one of the things that it's changed over time is
you know, in my day and with your yeah you're younger. Yeah,
so over time, you know, people didn't talk about that,
or it was hidden, or you didn't share about it
very much. The younger generation is a lot more comfortable
to their betterment, sharing what's going on and being open
(09:08):
about mental health challenges that they may face, whether that's
something organic or something that relates to circumstances and depression
and anxiety created by you know, the social pressures you know,
younger people that we all face these days with changing times.
I think that is a really good thing that there's
an openness with the younger generations to share about mental
(09:32):
health challenges that our generations were trained to to not
talk about it. You know, it was a shameful thing
to share, so you didn't talk about it. And so
I think we're continuing to progress in that regard and
being open about what's going on with our lives.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Oh, I agree, definitely, And I think as horrible as
COVID was, it really put a spotlight a lot of
the issues folks with haveing mental health issues, whether it
be stress, being isolated and depressed, not knowing how to
talk about it. I think a lot of the online
resources became more available. People started doing videos and stuff
(10:11):
on social media talking about it. People learned how to
make sourdough and memes in zoom meetings, you know what
I mean, with their friends. So we realized we need
that connection with each other. And I definitely agree that
the more we talk about things, the less the stigma is.
Because also when I grew up, nobody talked about the
C word, which was cancer. So then as I grew
(10:34):
up and when I got cancer, I was really embarrassed
to talk about it. After I got it for the
second time, I was like, oh no, this is ridiculous.
I need to tell people what's going on and let
my network support me. And so many people have helped
me and like how are you and like it's been
twenty years and they're like, oh my gosh, how you
do it. I'm so glad you're here.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
You know.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
So some of the procedures were a little brutal, but hey,
I made it through them and we're here. So Missuszelda
are the m H a p B clubhouse member. So
you come and enjoy one of the clubhouses you guys have, right.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Oh, yes, I go to, Yes, I come to go there.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
And to go back on what y'all what you said
at one time, just tell a little my story. I
was scared to even say, even with my family that
it was something wrong with me. But I'm saying mentally
mental mental issues, stress, spirit distress, and don't didn't know
(11:36):
or didn't know who to go to, didn't know where
to go to. So at the end, at the point
end of the day, I had a little addition, got
into my addition. They didn't like that, didn't that didn't
stop anything. It was there. It was there, and for
(11:57):
seeing people's I didn't know where to go, who to
go to. The ones who went to didn't care, They
didn't what you're talking about. I mean, but I had
one particular person told me to go get help. And
when I did, the first one I went to, it
was your wrong, golden. The hot team got in there
(12:21):
and I realized it is people.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
They do care. And then and I wasn't alone. It
was other people going through what I was going through.
So and the day I.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
Went through it, but then I called a little shortcoming.
But I got back up to this term now went
to MHA and got there and come to find out
that people care and they gave me the support one time.
A couple time I got there, I shot down, I.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Like, nobody gonna care. I ain't gonna say nothing for sure,
No mus stand.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
He came and he came, gave me a miny. He
didn't pressure me in anything. He didn't pressure me. So
finally when he did he came in, he talked to
me and for us my story. I just want to
say that with MHA and the people, some of the
people that's coming in there, it's people that I know
(13:27):
what they went through and I just wanted to share them.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
I'm here. I'm here if you need.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
To talk or if you you just need just just
being I know nowhere at so at one point, like
I say, just helped somebody and give somebody back well
and understanding.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
What they went through.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
I understand and I know, and I try to get
some peoples to open up.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
We have one member.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Came in and she came in just like little mess.
But you know, she was in a wheelchair and once
she got once she got in and she's seen that
there is help.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
These people do care about me.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
M Ah is here, she's doing bettery and also seen
up get.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Up out her wheelchairs started walking.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
So I mean, it's I mean, and like I said
I this morning to just say, you're never alone. You
just got to figure out find your way, and it's
people's I here to help you. M h A a
place where you can go to actually just speak on
(14:41):
how you feel mentally or physically, how up you feel.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
It's people's out help can help you.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Well, that's good. I'm glad that you can't found this
clubhouse and that works for you. That's fantastic. So for
other listeners who might want to come to the clubhouse,
where's it located.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
We're located in downtown West pom Beach at nine oh
nine Fern Street, So we're about a five to ten
minute walk from city Place right by the train station
on tamar And Avenue downtown and the clubhouse is the
heart of the clubhouse is belonging and finding purpose and
(15:19):
being with others like you where there's no judgment. It's
a model that's been around since the eighties and it
started in New York City at a place called Fountain House.
And so now it is an evidence based model and
there's over three hundred clubhouses and thirty countries. So it
is a proven track record of helping people find employment
(15:41):
and helping people not go back to the hospital, and
it prevents rehospitalizations of people who might have a history
of treatment or hospitalization. And part of the way the
model works is it mimics a work day. So you
come into the clubhouse and there's a morning meeting where
the members and staff work side by side on the
(16:04):
business of the clubhouse. And the morning meeting, I would
decide who's going to work in the kitchen and do
the culinary, who's going to work at the front desk
and take attendance and enter attendance data, who is going
to work in the garden and help we have a
vegetable garden. And you know, we have to clean and weed,
(16:25):
and then you know, we also have media, and so
there's all different aspects of the clubhouse business that the
members and staff work together to manage. And then there's
a lunch break and then a meeting after lunch to
continue with work in the afternoon. And that helps people
who might not have been in the workforce for a
long time think about, you know, maybe going back to
(16:46):
work part time or trying to work a little and find,
you know, a sense of purpose that way. But often
people just find a sense of purpose and being connected
to that clubhouse environment and feeling like they're a part
of something. The other aspect of what we do is
here certification training. So someone who's suffered from a substance
(17:06):
abuse issue, or mental health challenge, or any adverse life circumstance.
Maybe they're a caregiver for someone who's elderly, or maybe
they're the parent to a child that's suffers from mental
health challenges or medically complex issues. Maybe they're a veteran,
(17:27):
maybe they've experienced being homeless. There's any number of adverse
life circumstances that we've all had, and the training helps
people take that adverse life circumstance and use it to
help someone else who is experiencing similar struggles, and they
can use their experience to help others progress on a
(17:50):
journey of recovery and a better life through finding the
next right place that they can go, the right next
thing they can do to better their situation, and it
balances out clinical and therapy types of approaches, which are important.
But having someone who's walked in your shoes and knows
(18:11):
exactly what you're feeling and what you're and you can
identify with is a very powerful way to help somebody.
And Zelda has not only participated in the Clubhouse program,
but she's completed the peer training program and now works
part time for us in our Peer dropping Center, which
(18:34):
is doesn't have the structure of the Clubhouse, and it's
located on forty fifth Street and Congress, so it's a
separate location and it doesn't have the workday structure of Clubhouse.
It's more you can come in and we have wellness
groups and art activities and just a place where people
can get what they need and progress on a recovery journey.
(18:56):
It's a little more, it's a slower, it's a different pace,
but Zelda's not working there and helping people who are
coming in with their recovery journeys.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Well that's fantastic, yes, so yeah, and it's so good
to have somebody to talk to. Yes, like being a
breast cancer survivor. If I talk to another survivor's like,
oh and they just got it because they went to
the doctors, they had the bad news, they had like
all the things.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
And that's and that's what you know, I enjoyed doing
and I I love it to just just help and
give back what was given to me and to sit
and as you say, somebody having a little having a
little rough day, I mean I understand, and I'll try
to cheer them up or tell me it's gonna be
(19:43):
all right.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
You're not in this alone.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Sometimes I tell them to give me, give you a hug,
you know, just excuse me, just to me.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
I just want to see people.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
But I have been through and seen I didn't have
nobody to really talk to. And now the only one
I really do have now now that to like March
twenty fifth, I would be ten years clean up. So
so I mean the help is my family. I can
go to them. I don't have to isolate no more.
(20:17):
I don't have to worry about Oh I want to
go do this, I need to do this. I can
go there and I'm talking about and just to see
them welcome me in, and I can participate into culinary
and I love the garden.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
I love going into the garden.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
And I am doing the I am like he said,
I am working in being a pure trying to end
the training, and I'm still going through working on my hours.
So maybe somewhere down may something like that.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
I'll be well. I can just sit with peoples.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
And just try to brighten their day, make them feel happy,
because I just love to just just help people and
just understand. I know, maybe you don't have nobody. I
know what it's like not have anybody to talk to. Hey,
to hear somebody say it's gonna be all right, don't
(21:19):
worry about it.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
So well, And that's actually so important because interestingly enough,
two one one you can call you one one and
to tell you all the different services, like your program
in the clubhouse where they are, if you need meals
on wheels, all that kind of stuff. One of the
features they offer is a Sunshine Call, and that's somebody
who calls people who you know isolated just to check
on them and say, I hope you're having a good
(21:41):
day kind of thing. So I mean, that's what you're
gonna do. You're gonna be the sunshine call in person,
which is even better.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
And that's what I'm working on.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
So even getting into the being the pure accomplice where
I can on weekends just make phone calls.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Hey, how you doing.
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Hey, this has helped calling just check on you, Just
make a stodia Okay, who doesn't want that?
Speaker 4 (22:03):
Who doesn't need And of.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
Course one of the cool things you guys get to
do is you have this fun walk five k walk
thing you do. So it's coming up with March twenty second.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
That's right, March twenty second at Drer Park and bell
time is at seven thirty am, and it is a
five k run. But there is also a walk option
that's about a three quarters of a mile walking loop,
so you don't have to run or walk the whole
five k. There's a walking option so everybody can participate
(22:37):
to the degree that they would like, which is part
of the Clubhouse way. We don't have formal referrals. We're
not looking at what a diagnosis is or it's not clinical,
and we celebrate strengths and talents and so everybody from
(22:57):
your sister would have a role and a purpose and
something that they could contribute. Zelda has something different she
can contribute, but everybody has a way that they can
contribute based on what they can do, and that's what's celebrated.
And so the race has got the same approach. Whatever,
however far you can walk or however fast you can run,
(23:19):
there's a place for you at the walk. And so
you know, the sign up for the walk is at
MHA Palm Beaches dot org and you can link to
our race page and you can sign up as an individual,
and we also encourage people to sign up as teams
and to recruit other people to sign up as well
(23:42):
and to contribute to help support our mission and our clubhouse,
which which you know helps us provide the services to
stay open, to be that refuge and that place where
people may not feel connected can come and feel like
they belong and are part of something.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I think that's fantastic. And you know, part of mental
health America is like you guys at the forefront of
creating like a healthy work places. Obviously like with the clubhouse.
And I heard you recently received something called a bell
Seal certification. What exactly is that?
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Sure? So, the bells Seal certification is something that the
Mental Health American National Office has promoted, and it's recognizing
the importance of mental health in the workplace and that
workplaces that support the mental health needs of their employees
are more effective. And we lose about over a billion
(24:43):
dollars a year of productivity due to depression and anxiety.
People have stress in their work lives related to their jobs,
and then they also have stress in their home lives
related to the home, which can affect their performance and
their ability to work, especially as people become caregivers, which
(25:05):
we're going to see a lot of and the you know,
it's a demographics change in America. We're going to see
a lot of people with significant caregiving issues as the
population ages in twenty thirty around that it's really going
to hit hard, and we're going to see a lot
of people caring for children and for you know, maybe
(25:25):
elderly people and their family too. That all affects the workplace.
So Mental Health America has created an assessment where an
employer can look at their insurance at their culture at
so there's a section on insurance. One of the things
(25:46):
that's happened with mental health is the medical profession and
the insurance companies have reflected this treat physical health is
one thing and mental health is something completely different, and
there's a wall between them. So there's not parity and
insurance for mental health needs versus health care needs. And
(26:08):
part of that is because the medical system has looked
at it like as two different things instead of holistically
like mental health is health. Brain health is the same
as heart health. You know, there's a stigma associated with it,
and so it's separated. So this effort is you know,
(26:29):
aimed so employers can look at their insurance plans and
think about how does how does mental health support show
up in your insurance in your EAP offerings for employees,
if someone is in treatment for something that's happened to
(26:49):
them in their life, is there the allowance to go
to treatment and support? Then you know, do employees have
input into you know, flexibility if they're going through a
mental health challenge? Are there ways that employees can create
wellness activities within the company. So there's elements of culture.
(27:12):
How does the company support. Are people able to have
honest two way communication with supervisors? You know, so elements
of culture, elements of insurance, elements of different things that
evidence shows create you know, a healthier workplace environment for
people where they know that they don't have to hide,
(27:35):
you know, a mental health challenge they may be facing
in the workplace.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Which is so important. And I saw I think recently
about a company and their company cultures. They want to
be more like Dolly, like Dolly Parton because she does
so much good And I was like, that's such a
great concept to have for business. But I agree. So
some employers have EAP. You get four free sessions a year,
some you get eight. Definitely depends on the company. So
(28:00):
I think your program is fantastic helps people with that
getting awareness out, the word out. Tell me again about
signing up for your walk on the twenty second.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Sure so you can go to MJA Palm Beaches and
click on the banner that will take you to the
race page where you can sign up and you can
register for the walk or form a team. It is
a forty five dollars entry fee and you know, you
can create a team and give your team a name
(28:31):
and encourage your team to donate to our cause as well.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
If you can't make the walk, you still make a donation.
Speaker 3 (28:37):
Right, Absolutely, you can go to MHA Palm Beaches and
make a donation on our page. And there's a couple
of ways you can do that. You can do that
through the race, or you can go to the donate
button on our page and make a donation and designate
it how you would if there's a way you would
wish to designate it, we can accommodate that as well.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
And so say don't have any money, but I have
some time? Can I volunteer?
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Absolutely? So we have a program and this again you
can find this on our web page MHA Pombeaches dot org.
We have a program called comp Here International, which we're
just getting off the ground and we're comp Here of
the Palm Beaches and it's in a mentoring program and
part of the idea is that people can volunteer, and
actually people can volunteer and come in and help us,
(29:24):
help us out in a variety of ways, and just
you can call us five six one eight, three two
three seven five five You can talk to Mary Anne
to inquire about volunteer opportunities. But comp here is special
because it creates mentoring and connection, which is really you know,
(29:45):
everything we want to do is about connection and belonging
and purpose. And so comp here will match a volunteer
with a member to have a social connection outside of
our clubhouse hours, you know, for a couple hours a month,
which might be chatting on the phone, it might be
meeting for coffee, it might be just you know, a
(30:06):
really informal uh you know way to connect and develop
a relationship that really is mutually you know, lifts up
both people, uh, the volunteer and the person that they
may be mentoring who attends our clubhouse. And so I'd
love for uh, you know, people to explore you know,
(30:27):
our opportunities with comp here for mentoring, you know, developing
a connection with one of our members. That would be
wonderful if people could could partake of that.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
That sounds really cool. So who did you say they
would need to call for that?
Speaker 3 (30:38):
So you can uh go online, uh to our website
and fill out an informational form where we would connect
with you and find out a little more about what
you know, what you would like to do and and
what your strengths and talents are and and and think
about the match and then there's some uh and then
you can call Mary Anne Roman five six one eight
(31:00):
three to two three seven five five and inquire about
that as well. And certainly anybody can. My number is
five six to one seven five eight six seven zero zero.
People can feel free to call me and ask any
questions that they have as well. I was just going
to say one more thing about the assessment for mental
(31:22):
health in the workplace. There's several tiers, so there's a
Bronze tier, a Silver tier, a Gold tier, and a
Platinum tier, and we are currently a Gold tier and
would like to achieve platinum. I would say Pompeach County
is really fantastic in the way that it has a
number of organizations that have already become certified and big organizations.
(31:46):
So that includes our Palm Beach County government is Bellcial
certified and they're at the platinum level, the Children's Services
Council of Palm Beach, ady T, the Gearing Group, an
insurance company, a brokerage or in gardens is certified. So
there's the City of Lake Worth, the City of West Palm,
(32:08):
So there's a number of institutions that have gone this route,
and this year the application runs through April fourth. Organizations
can apply and they can again link to that on
our website and or they can call me and talk.
I'd be happy to talk through that with any employer
that's interested in connected, connect them to the right places
(32:29):
to think about the simple self assessments that would give
you an idea of where you fall on that certification process.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Well one, thank you guys for coming in talking to
us today doing such a cool thing in the community.
It's very much needed and definitely appreciate it, and I
hope you have a fun walk.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Thank you, Dev. We hope to see you there.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
And thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
If you need more information, reach out to me Palm
Beach Perspective at iHeartMedia dot com and I'm happy to
forward on the details and don't forget. You can always
download the shows of podcast on our iHeart Radio app.
I hope everybody has a wonderful weekend. I'm Dev Nev
and this has been my perspective. Remember life is good,
so be your healthiest view and let's get out there
(33:10):
and live it. Until next week.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
Enjoy iHeart Communities, the community Engagement arm of the Station
champions critical issues and causes in the area of health
and wellness, social impact, education, literacy, and music and art.
Join us next week from Palm Beach. Treasure Coast perspective
Ihearts Communities Presents Palm Beach Treasure Coast Perspective, which dad Now, good.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Morning, Welcome to Calm Beast Treasure Coast Perspective. I'm your host,
dev Nev. Thanks for spending your weekend with me. All
kinds of great things happening. Definitely want to check it
out if you have not been to Arts Garage in
a while. Arts Garage and Dowry besas all kinds of
cool things going on, and especially for the kiddos during
the summer, They've got Summer Theater Camp for kids and
for teens and they go from July seventh through August first,
(00:28):
and you can reach out to them at Artscarage dot
org and they have all the stuff lifted there for
you as well as like the nights they do comedy
Night and poetry Night and the different bands that are coming.
They have lots of great music musicians that come through
and there's some comedy nights where you can try your stuff.
So I think that's kind of fun as well. Your
friends come out and support you. Don't forget we're speaking friends.
(00:48):
We talk to the friends of Okahelly Nature Center. They're
doing their annual fundraiser, their gopher tortoise Gallop five k
coming up on Saturday, March twenty second. Also in March,
lots of cool things happening outside Saint Lucie County Hikes.
Does a lot of different hikes in the different preserves.
Does the county bought up all the different preserves to
keep the land in place and green areas, which I
(01:09):
think is fantastic. So later on Sunday, March night, later
on today, they have a Sunday evening wind Down Walk
and that's happening at Citrus Hammock Preserve. Just come out,
enjoy the tranquility of natures. You relax on the Hammock Trail. Wednesday,
March twelfth, eight thirty to eleven thirty am is a
Wild West Walk and that's at the Bluefield Ranch Preserve
(01:30):
Friday March fourteenth and Saturday March fifteenth from a seven
thirty to nine thirty pm. This is a really cool one.
If you've not done it, definitely sign up. It is
the Firefly Bioluminescence Experience and that's happening at the Stephen J.
Fusick Preserve and fireflies which just so fun to watch.
I remember watching the guy as a little kid, so
such a cool thing, such a natural way of people
(01:51):
seeing the bioluminescence. Simply go to SLC Hikes dot org
and they have all the different hikes and paddles and
walks and everything listened on there for you street side
ahead of time, because they do fill up pretty quickly.
Who our friends of the North Museum have law school
things going on. Definitely want to check out Dreamland. It's
the intriguing world of subconscious and that's going on now
through May seventeenth. They have the Art of Calligraphy and
(02:15):
Chinese artists and that's going on now through June twenty ninth.
They have Sorolo and the Sea now through April thirteenth.
Simply go to Norton dot org and they'll list They
have the list of all the current exhibitions going on,
and all the great things are coming up at their
arts after their art after dark, and that's every Friday night.
(02:35):
All the more common museum and gardens because lots of
really fun things happening in March to welcome spring coming.
They've got the joy of care, the joy of carving
happening today and on the fifteenth Sunday, March ninth, is
the Sado Tea Ceremony. There's one also on March thirteenth,
(02:57):
and then again and then on the sixteenth. If you're interested,
they're doing an advanced vance registration is acquired for this
one and it's one hundred and forty dollars per person.
But it's the basics of sushi, so you get to
learn how to make it and do that little class.
That's a lot of fun, and of course you can
always enjoy the gardens. There's calligraphy for a dolls, lots
of kids program something to go to morecommy dot org
(03:19):
and all the programs and stuff are listed there for
you own. Our friends over the Cultural Council sent up
for some fun things to check out. Guys and Dolls
is happening March eighteenth through the sixth at Multi Stuperor Theater.
Agatha Christie's Murder in the Orange Express is happening at
the Delray Beach Playhouse and that's March twenty first through
April thirteenth. Dimensions Dance Theater of Miami will be performing
(03:44):
at the Duncan Theater March twenty first, and the twenty
second pump Each Pride twenty twenty five is happening at
Bryant Park March twenty ninth and the thirtieth. We have
the Simfonia Concert four neighboring Bach and that's going to
be a studio at Meisner Park on March twenty ninth.
So lots of great things happening and definitely want to
(04:06):
check that out. And you can sign up at Palm
Beach culture dot com to get the email of all
the fun events that are happening around town. Lots of
things happening in the publish County parks. There's a Pickaball
clinic if you need some help with your pickaball game,
and that's happening at the cmaa Therapeutic Recreation Complex in
Lake Worth and that is now through March eighteenth, from
(04:26):
ten am to six fifteen. You can reach out to them.
They have canoeing classes and that's happening at Oka Hilly
Nature Center. Coming up on Saturday, March fifteenth, Legends on
the Lawn. The band is called the Relentless Band, so
do we check that out. That's in Boyton Beach. There's
a Vike rodio happening at Westgate Park and Recreation Center
(04:47):
on Friday, March twenty first freed mission good for all ages,
so definitely would check these things out. And then also
they have a night hike happening at Daggerwing Nature Center
in Boca and that is Tuesday, March twenty fifth at
seven pm for all ages. Speaking of fun things, I
want to welcome my guests for today. I have got
Andy mccauslin and Zelda Porter from Mental Health of America.
(05:11):
Good morning guys, Good morning morning Debb. So Andy, you
tell us a little about You're the CEO for the
program tell us listeners and I a little bit about
Mental Health America of the Pump Beaches.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Sure, so, I'm Andy mccauslin. I am the CEO of
Mental Health America of the pomp Beaches. Mental Health America
is a national organization based in Washington, d C. It's
one of the oldest nonprofits in America. It's been around
since nineteen oh nine, so over one hundred years old,
and it was started by a gentleman in Connecticut who
(05:43):
suffered from a mental health challenge and the treatment for
mental health people who suffer from mental health condition back
then was chaining them to a wall in an institution,
and he started the organization as a way to advocate
for humane treatment for people who suffer from mental health challenge.
So over time, affiliates around the country have sprung up
(06:07):
from and the national organization is in DC. We're one
of about one hundred and thirty affiliates around the country
and we cover Palm Beach County. There's a couple other
affiliates in Florida as well, and South Florida which covers
Broward and Dade and Indian River and a few others
around Florida. And so we've been around since nineteen forty nine.
(06:28):
So we're celebrating our seventy fifth year as a nonprofit
locally supporting and advocating and educating the public on mental
health conditions and advocating for humane treatment for those who
face a mental health challenge in their lives or maybe
a loved one face is a mental health challenge. And
(06:49):
so that's that's what we've been involved in.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Oh that's fantastic. Yeah, I know, my youngest sister, she
was listed and the terminolog terminology has changed now, so
please don't byby invented, But back then it was called TMR,
which stood fortrainably mentally retarded. Basically, it meant that her
brain only developed to like the level of maby five
year old, so she could learn like a rote task.
(07:13):
You could show her how to like stuff envelopes in
the morning and she would do it all day long,
so happy. Then you have to show again the next day.
But you know, she could learn and retain it for
the day. A few things she was able to retain
to the next day, but not much. But it was
really difficult because there really wasn't much in place to
help her, and we were very small town, so there
(07:34):
wasn't much there.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Yeah, that's that's right. And over time, you know, we
as Mental Health America has advocated for humane treatment and
for policy that really supports people and their families who
have mental health condition. You know, times have changed. So
when we were founded in nineteen forty nine, coincidentially and ironically,
(07:57):
the Nobel Prize was a war to a Portuguese neurosurgeon
who piloted the frontal low of levotomy, which is sticking
an ice pick in someone's brain really who's volatile and
mucking around in it and severing you know, nerves and
creating you know, plasticity someone who's placid. So if you
(08:19):
saw one flew over the cuckoo's nests. That's what happens
at the end, and so you can think about one
flew over the cuckoo's nest and think about where we
are today. We have come a long way since our
founding in nineteen forty nine, but there's you continue to
advocate and there's continual a work to do to reduce
the stigma that's associated with mental health illness. And you know,
(08:42):
one of the things that it's changed over time is
you know, in my day and with your yeah you're younger. Yeah,
so over time, you know, people didn't talk about that,
or it was hidden, or you didn't share about it
very much. The younger generation is a lot more comfortable
to their betterment, sharing what's going on and being open
(09:08):
about mental health challenges that they may face, whether that's
something organic or something that relates to circumstances and depression
and anxiety created by you know, the social pressures you know,
younger people that we all face these days with changing times.
I think that is a really good thing that there's
an openness with the younger generations to share about mental
(09:32):
health challenges that our generations were trained to to not
talk about it. You know, it was a shameful thing
to share, so you didn't talk about it. And so
I think we're continuing to progress in that regard and
being open about what's going on with our lives.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Oh, I agree, definitely, And I think as horrible as
COVID was, it really put a spotlight a lot of
the issues folks with haveing mental health issues, whether it
be stress, being isolated and depressed, not knowing how to
talk about it. I think a lot of the online
resources became more available. People started doing videos and stuff
(10:11):
on social media talking about it. People learned how to
make sourdough and memes in zoom meetings, you know what
I mean, with their friends. So we realized we need
that connection with each other. And I definitely agree that
the more we talk about things, the less the stigma is.
Because also when I grew up, nobody talked about the
C word, which was cancer. So then as I grew
(10:34):
up and when I got cancer, I was really embarrassed
to talk about it. After I got it for the
second time, I was like, oh no, this is ridiculous.
I need to tell people what's going on and let
my network support me. And so many people have helped
me and like how are you and like it's been
twenty years and they're like, oh my gosh, how you
do it. I'm so glad you're here.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
You know.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
So some of the procedures were a little brutal, but hey,
I made it through them and we're here. So Missuszelda
are the m H a p B clubhouse member. So
you come and enjoy one of the clubhouses you guys have, right.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Oh, yes, I go to, Yes, I come to go there.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
And to go back on what y'all what you said
at one time, just tell a little my story. I
was scared to even say, even with my family that
it was something wrong with me. But I'm saying mentally
mental mental issues, stress, spirit distress, and don't didn't know
(11:36):
or didn't know who to go to, didn't know where
to go to. So at the end, at the point
end of the day, I had a little addition, got
into my addition. They didn't like that, didn't that didn't
stop anything. It was there. It was there, and for
(11:57):
seeing people's I didn't know where to go, who to
go to. The ones who went to didn't care, They
didn't what you're talking about. I mean, but I had
one particular person told me to go get help. And
when I did, the first one I went to, it
was your wrong, golden. The hot team got in there
(12:21):
and I realized it is people.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
They do care. And then and I wasn't alone. It
was other people going through what I was going through.
So and the day I.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
Went through it, but then I called a little shortcoming.
But I got back up to this term now went
to MHA and got there and come to find out
that people care and they gave me the support one time.
A couple time I got there, I shot down, I.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Like, nobody gonna care. I ain't gonna say nothing for sure,
No mus stand.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
He came and he came, gave me a miny. He
didn't pressure me in anything. He didn't pressure me. So
finally when he did he came in, he talked to
me and for us my story. I just want to
say that with MHA and the people, some of the
people that's coming in there, it's people that I know
(13:27):
what they went through and I just wanted to share them.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
I'm here. I'm here if you need.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
To talk or if you you just need just just
being I know nowhere at so at one point, like
I say, just helped somebody and give somebody back well
and understanding.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
What they went through.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
I understand and I know, and I try to get
some peoples to open up.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
We have one member.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Came in and she came in just like little mess.
But you know, she was in a wheelchair and once
she got once she got in and she's seen that
there is help.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
These people do care about me.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
M Ah is here, she's doing bettery and also seen
up get.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Up out her wheelchairs started walking.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
So I mean, it's I mean, and like I said
I this morning to just say, you're never alone. You
just got to figure out find your way, and it's
people's I here to help you. M h A a
place where you can go to actually just speak on
(14:41):
how you feel mentally or physically, how up you feel.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
It's people's out help can help you.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Well, that's good. I'm glad that you can't found this
clubhouse and that works for you. That's fantastic. So for
other listeners who might want to come to the clubhouse,
where's it located.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
We're located in downtown West pom Beach at nine oh
nine Fern Street, So we're about a five to ten
minute walk from city Place right by the train station
on tamar And Avenue downtown and the clubhouse is the
heart of the clubhouse is belonging and finding purpose and
(15:19):
being with others like you where there's no judgment. It's
a model that's been around since the eighties and it
started in New York City at a place called Fountain House.
And so now it is an evidence based model and
there's over three hundred clubhouses and thirty countries. So it
is a proven track record of helping people find employment
(15:41):
and helping people not go back to the hospital, and
it prevents rehospitalizations of people who might have a history
of treatment or hospitalization. And part of the way the
model works is it mimics a work day. So you
come into the clubhouse and there's a morning meeting where
the members and staff work side by side on the
(16:04):
business of the clubhouse. And the morning meeting, I would
decide who's going to work in the kitchen and do
the culinary, who's going to work at the front desk
and take attendance and enter attendance data, who is going
to work in the garden and help we have a
vegetable garden. And you know, we have to clean and weed,
(16:25):
and then you know, we also have media, and so
there's all different aspects of the clubhouse business that the
members and staff work together to manage. And then there's
a lunch break and then a meeting after lunch to
continue with work in the afternoon. And that helps people
who might not have been in the workforce for a
long time think about, you know, maybe going back to
(16:46):
work part time or trying to work a little and find,
you know, a sense of purpose that way. But often
people just find a sense of purpose and being connected
to that clubhouse environment and feeling like they're a part
of something. The other aspect of what we do is
here certification training. So someone who's suffered from a substance
(17:06):
abuse issue, or mental health challenge, or any adverse life circumstance.
Maybe they're a caregiver for someone who's elderly, or maybe
they're the parent to a child that's suffers from mental
health challenges or medically complex issues. Maybe they're a veteran,
(17:27):
maybe they've experienced being homeless. There's any number of adverse
life circumstances that we've all had, and the training helps
people take that adverse life circumstance and use it to
help someone else who is experiencing similar struggles, and they
can use their experience to help others progress on a
(17:50):
journey of recovery and a better life through finding the
next right place that they can go, the right next
thing they can do to better their situation, and it
balances out clinical and therapy types of approaches, which are important.
But having someone who's walked in your shoes and knows
(18:11):
exactly what you're feeling and what you're and you can
identify with is a very powerful way to help somebody.
And Zelda has not only participated in the Clubhouse program,
but she's completed the peer training program and now works
part time for us in our Peer dropping Center, which
(18:34):
is doesn't have the structure of the Clubhouse, and it's
located on forty fifth Street and Congress, so it's a
separate location and it doesn't have the workday structure of Clubhouse.
It's more you can come in and we have wellness
groups and art activities and just a place where people
can get what they need and progress on a recovery journey.
(18:56):
It's a little more, it's a slower, it's a different pace,
but Zelda's not working there and helping people who are
coming in with their recovery journeys.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Well that's fantastic, yes, so yeah, and it's so good
to have somebody to talk to. Yes, like being a
breast cancer survivor. If I talk to another survivor's like,
oh and they just got it because they went to
the doctors, they had the bad news, they had like
all the things.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
And that's and that's what you know, I enjoyed doing
and I I love it to just just help and
give back what was given to me and to sit
and as you say, somebody having a little having a
little rough day, I mean I understand, and I'll try
to cheer them up or tell me it's gonna be
(19:43):
all right.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
You're not in this alone.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Sometimes I tell them to give me, give you a hug,
you know, just excuse me, just to me.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
I just want to see people.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
But I have been through and seen I didn't have
nobody to really talk to. And now the only one
I really do have now now that to like March
twenty fifth, I would be ten years clean up. So
so I mean the help is my family. I can
go to them. I don't have to isolate no more.
(20:17):
I don't have to worry about Oh I want to
go do this, I need to do this. I can
go there and I'm talking about and just to see
them welcome me in, and I can participate into culinary
and I love the garden.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
I love going into the garden.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
And I am doing the I am like he said,
I am working in being a pure trying to end
the training, and I'm still going through working on my hours.
So maybe somewhere down may something like that.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
I'll be well. I can just sit with peoples.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
And just try to brighten their day, make them feel happy,
because I just love to just just help people and
just understand. I know, maybe you don't have nobody. I
know what it's like not have anybody to talk to. Hey,
to hear somebody say it's gonna be all right, don't
(21:19):
worry about it.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
So well, And that's actually so important because interestingly enough,
two one one you can call you one one and
to tell you all the different services, like your program
in the clubhouse where they are, if you need meals
on wheels, all that kind of stuff. One of the
features they offer is a Sunshine Call, and that's somebody
who calls people who you know isolated just to check
on them and say, I hope you're having a good
(21:41):
day kind of thing. So I mean, that's what you're
gonna do. You're gonna be the sunshine call in person,
which is even better.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
And that's what I'm working on.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
So even getting into the being the pure accomplice where
I can on weekends just make phone calls.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Hey, how you doing.
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Hey, this has helped calling just check on you, Just
make a stodia Okay, who doesn't want that?
Speaker 4 (22:03):
Who doesn't need And of.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
Course one of the cool things you guys get to
do is you have this fun walk five k walk
thing you do. So it's coming up with March twenty second.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
That's right, March twenty second at Drer Park and bell
time is at seven thirty am, and it is a
five k run. But there is also a walk option
that's about a three quarters of a mile walking loop,
so you don't have to run or walk the whole
five k. There's a walking option so everybody can participate
(22:37):
to the degree that they would like, which is part
of the Clubhouse way. We don't have formal referrals. We're
not looking at what a diagnosis is or it's not clinical,
and we celebrate strengths and talents and so everybody from
(22:57):
your sister would have a role and a purpose and
something that they could contribute. Zelda has something different she
can contribute, but everybody has a way that they can
contribute based on what they can do, and that's what's celebrated.
And so the race has got the same approach. Whatever,
however far you can walk or however fast you can run,
(23:19):
there's a place for you at the walk. And so
you know, the sign up for the walk is at
MHA Palm Beaches dot org and you can link to
our race page and you can sign up as an individual,
and we also encourage people to sign up as teams
and to recruit other people to sign up as well
(23:42):
and to contribute to help support our mission and our clubhouse,
which which you know helps us provide the services to
stay open, to be that refuge and that place where
people may not feel connected can come and feel like
they belong and are part of something.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I think that's fantastic. And you know, part of mental
health America is like you guys at the forefront of
creating like a healthy work places. Obviously like with the clubhouse.
And I heard you recently received something called a bell
Seal certification. What exactly is that?
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Sure? So, the bells Seal certification is something that the
Mental Health American National Office has promoted, and it's recognizing
the importance of mental health in the workplace and that
workplaces that support the mental health needs of their employees
are more effective. And we lose about over a billion
(24:43):
dollars a year of productivity due to depression and anxiety.
People have stress in their work lives related to their jobs,
and then they also have stress in their home lives
related to the home, which can affect their performance and
their ability to work, especially as people become caregivers, which
(25:05):
we're going to see a lot of and the you know,
it's a demographics change in America. We're going to see
a lot of people with significant caregiving issues as the
population ages in twenty thirty around that it's really going
to hit hard, and we're going to see a lot
of people caring for children and for you know, maybe
(25:25):
elderly people and their family too. That all affects the workplace.
So Mental Health America has created an assessment where an
employer can look at their insurance at their culture at
so there's a section on insurance. One of the things
(25:46):
that's happened with mental health is the medical profession and
the insurance companies have reflected this treat physical health is
one thing and mental health is something completely different, and
there's a wall between them. So there's not parity and
insurance for mental health needs versus health care needs. And
(26:08):
part of that is because the medical system has looked
at it like as two different things instead of holistically
like mental health is health. Brain health is the same
as heart health. You know, there's a stigma associated with it,
and so it's separated. So this effort is you know,
(26:29):
aimed so employers can look at their insurance plans and
think about how does how does mental health support show
up in your insurance in your EAP offerings for employees,
if someone is in treatment for something that's happened to
(26:49):
them in their life, is there the allowance to go
to treatment and support? Then you know, do employees have
input into you know, flexibility if they're going through a
mental health challenge? Are there ways that employees can create
wellness activities within the company. So there's elements of culture.
(27:12):
How does the company support. Are people able to have
honest two way communication with supervisors? You know, so elements
of culture, elements of insurance, elements of different things that
evidence shows create you know, a healthier workplace environment for
people where they know that they don't have to hide,
(27:35):
you know, a mental health challenge they may be facing
in the workplace.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Which is so important. And I saw I think recently
about a company and their company cultures. They want to
be more like Dolly, like Dolly Parton because she does
so much good And I was like, that's such a
great concept to have for business. But I agree. So
some employers have EAP. You get four free sessions a year,
some you get eight. Definitely depends on the company. So
(28:00):
I think your program is fantastic helps people with that
getting awareness out, the word out. Tell me again about
signing up for your walk on the twenty second.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Sure so you can go to MJA Palm Beaches and
click on the banner that will take you to the
race page where you can sign up and you can
register for the walk or form a team. It is
a forty five dollars entry fee and you know, you
can create a team and give your team a name
(28:31):
and encourage your team to donate to our cause as well.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
If you can't make the walk, you still make a donation.
Speaker 3 (28:37):
Right, Absolutely, you can go to MHA Palm Beaches and
make a donation on our page. And there's a couple
of ways you can do that. You can do that
through the race, or you can go to the donate
button on our page and make a donation and designate
it how you would if there's a way you would
wish to designate it, we can accommodate that as well.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
And so say don't have any money, but I have
some time? Can I volunteer?
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Absolutely? So we have a program and this again you
can find this on our web page MHA Pombeaches dot org.
We have a program called comp Here International, which we're
just getting off the ground and we're comp Here of
the Palm Beaches and it's in a mentoring program and
part of the idea is that people can volunteer, and
actually people can volunteer and come in and help us,
(29:24):
help us out in a variety of ways, and just
you can call us five six one eight, three two
three seven five five You can talk to Mary Anne
to inquire about volunteer opportunities. But comp here is special
because it creates mentoring and connection, which is really you know,
(29:45):
everything we want to do is about connection and belonging
and purpose. And so comp here will match a volunteer
with a member to have a social connection outside of
our clubhouse hours, you know, for a couple hours a month,
which might be chatting on the phone, it might be
meeting for coffee, it might be just you know, a
(30:06):
really informal uh you know way to connect and develop
a relationship that really is mutually you know, lifts up
both people, uh, the volunteer and the person that they
may be mentoring who attends our clubhouse. And so I'd
love for uh, you know, people to explore you know,
(30:27):
our opportunities with comp here for mentoring, you know, developing
a connection with one of our members. That would be
wonderful if people could could partake of that.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
That sounds really cool. So who did you say they
would need to call for that?
Speaker 3 (30:38):
So you can uh go online, uh to our website
and fill out an informational form where we would connect
with you and find out a little more about what
you know, what you would like to do and and
what your strengths and talents are and and and think
about the match and then there's some uh and then
you can call Mary Anne Roman five six one eight
(31:00):
three to two three seven five five and inquire about
that as well. And certainly anybody can. My number is
five six to one seven five eight six seven zero zero.
People can feel free to call me and ask any
questions that they have as well. I was just going
to say one more thing about the assessment for mental
(31:22):
health in the workplace. There's several tiers, so there's a
Bronze tier, a Silver tier, a Gold tier, and a
Platinum tier, and we are currently a Gold tier and
would like to achieve platinum. I would say Pompeach County
is really fantastic in the way that it has a
number of organizations that have already become certified and big organizations.
(31:46):
So that includes our Palm Beach County government is Bellcial
certified and they're at the platinum level, the Children's Services
Council of Palm Beach, ady T, the Gearing Group, an
insurance company, a brokerage or in gardens is certified. So
there's the City of Lake Worth, the City of West Palm,
(32:08):
So there's a number of institutions that have gone this route,
and this year the application runs through April fourth. Organizations
can apply and they can again link to that on
our website and or they can call me and talk.
I'd be happy to talk through that with any employer
that's interested in connected, connect them to the right places
(32:29):
to think about the simple self assessments that would give
you an idea of where you fall on that certification process.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Well one, thank you guys for coming in talking to
us today doing such a cool thing in the community.
It's very much needed and definitely appreciate it, and I
hope you have a fun walk.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Thank you, Dev. We hope to see you there.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
And thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
If you need more information, reach out to me Palm
Beach Perspective at iHeartMedia dot com and I'm happy to
forward on the details and don't forget. You can always
download the shows of podcast on our iHeart Radio app.
I hope everybody has a wonderful weekend. I'm Dev Nev
and this has been my perspective. Remember life is good,
so be your healthiest view and let's get out there
(33:10):
and live it. Until next week.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
Enjoy iHeart Communities, the community Engagement arm of the Station
champions critical issues and causes in the area of health
and wellness, social impact, education, literacy, and music and art.
Join us next week from Palm Beach. Treasure Coast perspective
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