From Our Family to Yours…
Center for Family Services is pleased to welcome our new Chief Development Officer, Ms. Ellen Vaughan! Originally from Connecticut, Ellen is a long-time Palm Beach County resident who has devoted her career to philanthropy. She is currently President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a sustainer of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. As CDO, she will lead our development team as we celebrate our 24th annual Old Bags Luncheon® at The BreakersPalm Beach on February 22, 2023. SAVE THE DATE!
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September marks National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 9-8-8 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. There are skilled professionals available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including those who are fluent in Spanish. Alternatively, visit 988lifeline.org for resources and chat options. Lifeline’s network has over 200 crisis centers and counselors to provide support and resources for people in crisis, as well as for their loved ones.
For Florida residents, Lifeline’s network currently includes 12 affiliated centers within the state available to provide counsel and support for individuals and their families. According to their annual (2020) Florida state report, over 67,000 calls were connected to crisis centers in Florida last year. Tragically, the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner documented 147 suicides through August of this year in our County alone. Lifeline is a valuable resource and available to everyone.
September is also National Recovery Month. Substance misuse continues to be a critical issue in our state, and opioids remain at the center of this pandemic. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), in 2020 over 93,000 individuals in the US died of a drug overdose. In Florida, data suggests at any one time possibly 8% of the state’s total population is misusing illicit drugs. In 2020, over 7300 Florida residents died of a drug overdose. This statistic makes Florida the second highest-ranking state in deaths from drug overdose.
To promote the independence and enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by providing effective and essential services to residents in need.
Center for Family Services is working with other agencies to combat this trend in our state. Our trained staff lead the EMBARRCC program sponsored by Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network and Palm Beach County. We are a trusted source for Narcan kits, which can reverse the effects of opioid overdose in a life-threatening situation; and our trained Care Coordinators are able to assess and offer placement to Palm Beach County residents seeking treatment. Residents seeking this service may call 561-616-1222 and ask for an appointment with an EMBARRCC Care Coordinator. As always, for outpatient therapy or counseling our Partners for Change program continues to provide these services.
As a non-profit health services agency, we never lose sight that it takes a village to support one another. Without our dedicated staff, board, community partners, and generous donors, we would not be able to offer the exceptional mental health services we provide. You are a key component to our ability to continue serving our most vulnerable residents, and we are deeply grateful. With your help, we will be able to meet the increasing challenges to mental health in our post-Covid community. Thank you so much for your continued support!
Sincerely,
