While the holiday season is a festive time for many, it can also be the hardest time for some families. Mental health experts remind you of the resources that are available just a call away. “If somebody is just really feeling the need to talk, they can reach out to us, even if it’s just for conversation, or if they want to problem solve,” Patrice Schroeder, community relations specialist of 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, told WPBF 25 News. “If they would like to receive a daily sunshine call, we have volunteers and staff that call individuals every day. So, they could be elders 60 years or plus, or somebody that’s younger that’s housebound… or also we’ve opened that up for family caregivers,” she added. The 211 Helpline receives about 350 calls daily, with about 11 to 13 crisis calls. “We need more therapists, we need more counseling centers, and more inpatient treatment as well,” Schroeder said. According to 211 experts, over the past couple of days, about 26% of calls they’ve received were about mental health and addiction. Housing and shelter came in second at about 22% of the calls. And of those housing calls, 38% of them were in regard to rental assistance. About 33% of the calls were for help with shelters. 211 officials also released 10 helpful tips on resilience and wellbeing. Stay connected Have a sense of purpose Learn healthy habits Believe in yourself Laugh often Express your emotions Be optimistic Keep perspective Be imperfect Learn lessons “I would encourage people to volunteer, you know, sometimes having a sense of purpose will mitigate the feelings that they are experiencing or perhaps they know of a neighbor that could use a hand,” Schroeder said. WPBF 25 News also spoke with a psychologist and stress coach on how to maintain your mental well-being and have a stress-free dinner this holiday season.”All of our families are weird, right? That’s why we are who we are, but keep it simple. Respect each other,” Dr. Terry Lyles told WPBF 25 News. “The world’s a strange place right now, there’s people that are struggling and suffering with all kinds of things. But Thanksgiving is a time to stop wherever you are, and just be grateful and thankful for who you are and what you have,” he added. The stress coach also had some helpful tips on how to maintain your sanity at the dinner table.”Keep it light. Try to avoid religion, politics and money,” he added. “Be together, just table all the craziness that goes on in our world.”Dr. Lyles also said no matter what you’re going through, to remember that you can celebrate yourself, your life and those around you. “I lost my son last year. It happens, and we still celebrate his passing because you celebrate life, and then you can celebrate even the passing of life. Keep it on the real,” he said. “We’re in wars around the world, there’s a lot of crazy things going on in our worlds today,” he added. “However, understanding and realizing that we’re people and we’re still alive. Let’s celebrate a day together.”If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.If you’d like to talk to someone at 211 Helpline of Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, you can dial 211. If you’d like to text the helpline, you can message your ZIP code to 898211.
While the holiday season is a festive time for many, it can also be the hardest time for some families. Mental health experts remind you of the resources that are available just a call away.
“If somebody is just really feeling the need to talk, they can reach out to us, even if it’s just for conversation, or if they want to problem solve,” Patrice Schroeder, community relations specialist of 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, told WPBF 25 News.
“If they would like to receive a daily sunshine call, we have volunteers and staff that call individuals every day. So, they could be elders 60 years or plus, or somebody that’s younger that’s housebound… or also we’ve opened that up for family caregivers,” she added.
The 211 Helpline receives about 350 calls daily, with about 11 to 13 crisis calls.
“We need more therapists, we need more counseling centers, and more inpatient treatment as well,” Schroeder said.
According to 211 experts, over the past couple of days, about 26% of calls they’ve received were about mental health and addiction. Housing and shelter came in second at about 22% of the calls.
And of those housing calls, 38% of them were in regard to rental assistance. About 33% of the calls were for help with shelters.
211 officials also released 10 helpful tips on resilience and wellbeing.
- Stay connected
- Have a sense of purpose
- Learn healthy habits
- Believe in yourself
- Laugh often
- Express your emotions
- Be optimistic
- Keep perspective
- Be imperfect
- Learn lessons
“I would encourage people to volunteer, you know, sometimes having a sense of purpose will mitigate the feelings that they are experiencing or perhaps they know of a neighbor that could use a hand,” Schroeder said.
WPBF 25 News also spoke with a psychologist and stress coach on how to maintain your mental well-being and have a stress-free dinner this holiday season.
“All of our families are weird, right? That’s why we are who we are, but keep it simple. Respect each other,” Dr. Terry Lyles told WPBF 25 News.
“The world’s a strange place right now, there’s people that are struggling and suffering with all kinds of things. But Thanksgiving is a time to stop wherever you are, and just be grateful and thankful for who you are and what you have,” he added.
The stress coach also had some helpful tips on how to maintain your sanity at the dinner table.
“Keep it light. Try to avoid religion, politics and money,” he added. “Be together, just table all the craziness that goes on in our world.”
Dr. Lyles also said no matter what you’re going through, to remember that you can celebrate yourself, your life and those around you.
“I lost my son last year. It happens, and we still celebrate his passing because you celebrate life, and then you can celebrate even the passing of life. Keep it on the real,” he said.
“We’re in wars around the world, there’s a lot of crazy things going on in our worlds today,” he added. “However, understanding and realizing that we’re people and we’re still alive. Let’s celebrate a day together.”
If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.
If you’d like to talk to someone at 211 Helpline of Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, you can dial 211. If you’d like to text the helpline, you can message your ZIP code to 898211.
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