PU4P - NOW & THE FUTURE
By Brian Gong, LMHC, CAP, NCC
So much has happened in the past few months, we thought we would take some time to share our outreach efforts, communal trauma experienced and our hopes for the future.
Our Nurture the Nurturer Event
On Saturday, October 22nd, Professionals United for Parkland hosted the Nurture the Nurturer event for local mental health professionals at the Faulk Center for Counseling in Boca Raton, FL. That day, therapists and counselors showed up for the chance to connect and engage in fun, self-care activities together as a group. There was a therapeutic art activity, restorative movement exercises, delicious food from Bolay, fun raffle prizes and a chance for like-minded professionals to get together once again.
This was the first event we’ve organized in the years since the start of the pandemic, our intention being to provide some support to the those who have been on the front lines doing the critical work of healing the community. Our plans for the next event will likely be geared toward the Parkland community as a whole with the fifth anniversary of the tragedy approaching in 2023. Thank you to all who participated and to our generous sponsors.
The Trial Ends
On October 13th, the jury returned a verdict of life without parole, ending the grueling, months-long trial and sparking strong emotional responses by many in the community. For many of those who have been following along closely for the last half-year of legal proceedings, it has indeed been a challenge. And while this represented the end of the trial, many are still left without adequate closure and healing. We encourage everyone who continues to be impacted by this trauma to seek the help and support you need.
Welcoming in the New Year
"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched." – Ellen Goodman
As another year comes to a close, it’s important to take inventory, self-reflect, and determine what needs you have in your life going forward. For many people in our community, this year has presented so many challenges, old and new. The pandemic, inflation, sociopolitical conflict, the trial…
"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." – Karen Kaiser Clark
Here are some questions to ask yourselves:
· What do you need for your own health and well-being?
· What has been working, and what has not?
· What strengths do you have that can continue to support your forward movement?
· What external resources can you rely on?
· What maladaptive (unhealthy) coping skills have you been utilizing understandably just to get by, and do you need to add new, more-healthy tools to your toolbox?
· Are you getting the appropriate professional help you suspect you’ve needed?
· Are you working on things that are scary but that you know you need to address?
"New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours." – Alex Morritt
Our community has proven to be extremely resilient in the face of immense tragedy and stress. So many have worked hard to cope effectively while facing and overcoming obstacles. We hope that you have self-compassion, take pride in your efforts, and celebrate all successes no matter how small.
And, yet there are those who still have not addressed the trauma they continue to struggle with. After the MSD tragedy in 2018, we organization sought guidance from one of the leaders of the Sandy Hook shooting recovery efforts. We were told of how many people in their community were only then starting to get help for their issues nearly 5 years after that horrible event. As we approach our five-year anniversary, we encourage all who continue to struggle to get the professional support and therapy you need.
"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you're not going to stay where you are." – JP Morgan
Thank You! Professionals United for Parkland was honored provide the Nurture the Nurturers Event along with Silver Sponsors Futures Recovery Healthcare, Coral Shores Behavioral Health, Aware Recovery Center and Bronze Sponsor Next Level Recovery. The day of wellness focused on burnout remediation through interactive presentations including discussion, movement and stress reduction activities. Now, more than ever, our community will need us to help support them through difficult times. We are grateful for the day of self-care and return to the community ready to help.
GOLD SPONSORS
Coral Shores Behavioral Health is a state-of-the-art freestanding psychiatric hospital since June 2017. The hospital is located in Stuart, Florida, on the beautiful Treasure Coast, just 30 minutes North from West Palm Beach. CSBH has 80 inpatient beds and serves children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Services include - Crisis Intervention and Stabilization; Medication Management; Individual and group counseling; Psychoeducational Groups, Recreational Therapy; Patient and Family Education; Discharge and aftercare planning. Outpatient treatment services provide a framework for recovery and healing and can include Adult PHP, Adult IOP, and Adolescent IOP. Available both in office or virtual. CSBH is the only Baker Act receiving facility in Martin County.
Futures Recovery Healthcare offers a comprehensive detox and residential program for substance abuse and co-occurring conditions, a residential program for primary Mental Health needs, and Orenda concierge program, the Rise experiential program, and intensive outpatient and outpatient services. Futures also offer specialized services for our First Responders and Veterans, those with chronic pain and those with trauma. Futures emphasizes individualized approaches to address the complexity of behavioral healthcare concerns, high-quality and compassionate care, the importance of establish an ongoing continuum of integrated care, and the value of alumni involvement. Futures Recovery Healthcare is accredited by The Joint Commission and the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Aware Recovery Care provides In-Home Addiction Treatment (IHAT) Aware Recovery Care is a pioneer in the in-home mental health and substance use disorder treatment industry, representing true innovation. Supported by a specially-trained team of addiction professionals, Aware offers a best-in-class in-home addiction treatment program backed by both logic and data. We provide a full continuum of home-based care including in-home withdrawal management, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and management, individual therapy, family therapy, and coordinated medical and behavioral healthcare all covered by specific insurance carriers with our own unique code, which allows us to work alongside of treatment center, PCP's and therapists.
BRONZE SPONSOR
Next Level Recovery Associates offers comprehensive support services to individuals and families affected by substance use disorders and mental health concerns. The Next Level Team puts together individual care plans to guide people towards achieving long term success.
If you should find yourself or someone you know in immediate crisis or need for help, dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Some other resources for immediate crisis support include:
211 – In Florida, and many areas, most counties will have a dedicated 211 resource hotline. Dial 211 from your phone to be connected to your local 211 branch. This may depend on where you’re calling from if it’s from your Cell Phone.
Crisis Text Line – Text any word (Help, Talk, etc.) to 741741 to be connected via text to a trained crisis counselor.
Paational Suicide Prevention Hotline – Until the 3-digit hotline number is active later in 2022, the original number will still be the one to use – 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).P al. al. al a Our Mission “Professionals United for Parkland was created to identify and meet the short and long-term needs related to mental health/well-being of the South Florida community in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy through evidence-based services including education for the general community and professionals, clinical training, clinical services, support for clinicians, and more. We work alongside other local organizations and groups to ensure that we identify gaps in current services and that the needs of our community are being adequately addressed. We are entirely non-political.
Professionals United For Parkland Honors the 17
Professionals United for Parkland remembers Joaquin "Guac" Oliver. "Change The Ref (CTR), was formed to empower our Future Leaders. CTR gives the kids of today the tools they need to be empowered to make changes to critical issues that affect our nation, through education, conversation, and activism. Change The Ref’s ultimate goal is to give the young generation of survivors and victims a disrupting voice to help lead the way to change – a more peaceful future." #NeverAgain.
To learn more: https://changetheref.org/
PU4P Updates Interested in joining our trauma trained therapists (licensed only) - please take a few moments of your time and join the PU4P referral directory. The MSD community will need services for the long run. PU4P links those in need with a vetted list of trauma therapists. We ask for a commitment of 2 pro-bono clients a year. For more information or questions, please contact info@pu4p.org. Please support PU4P by designating it as your charity with The AmazonSmile Foundation. They will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Don't forget to check our Facebook page for the most current events, updates, and information about PU4P! Thank you for your support of PU4P and your dedication to the Parkland community.