NAMI of Palm Beach County

Inclusion in this directory does not constitute endorsement by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Palm Beach County, nor does exclusion imply disapproval.   Information has been provided by numerous agencies and may change.  Please call to confirm.

INTRODUCTION

This handbook provides easily accessible information and assistance to those who encounter mental illness in their family.  It describes symptoms of the various kinds of brain disorders.  It provides information about the help that is available to the person with mental illness and his/her family in the form of crisis intervention, hospitalization, services of mental health professionals, medications and treatment.  It discusses the impact of a brain disorder on the family and offers suggestions for coping with it. In addition, the available mental health services in Palm Beach County are described including housing, rehabilitation, case management, and vocational services.  Also explained are Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicaid and Medicare.

In compiling this information, NAMI of Palm Beach County, is attempting to convey the message that if someone in your family has a brain disorder, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  As you will discover, there are organizations both public and private which stand ready to provide support to those who must cope with the challenges of mental illness.

ABOUT NAMI OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

NAMI/Palm Beach County was established in 1983 and currently has over 300 members. We are affiliated with NAMI Florida and it’s 39 local affiliates. Our National NAMI headquarters is located in the Washington, D.C. area. Today NAMI National has over 220,000 members. Most importantly, NAMI has become the recognized national voice of mental illness in the national media and in the halls of Congress.

NAMI/ PBC provides the following:

SUPPORT: We provide support to persons with severe mental illness and their families and caretakers. At our Support Group Meetings, you will find friendly people who share similar experiences, problems, and solutions with mental illness.  Presently, we offer support groups throughout Palm Beach County.   Join us and together we will find answers.

MONTHLY MEETING: Presenting cutting-edge speakers on topics relevant to our mission, as well as such topics as medication, treatment, rehabilitation, legal issues and community resources.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: We publish a monthly newsletter with topics of interest, NAMI’s current efforts, events and programs to our members and community.

INITIATION OF PROGRAMS: NAMI/PBC has been instrumental in the start-up of Jeff Industries, a work and education program; Amigos, a drop in center providing a noon meal; Palm Haven House, a housing program with a group home built by Jeff Industries with plans for additional housing; and is an integral part of the CIT training team.

EDUCATION:

• Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education Course is a free, empowering, 9-week course providing a full approach to recovery for people with mental illness who are interested in achieving and maintaining wellness.
• Family-to-Family Education Course is a free, comprehensive, 12-week educational course, for family members and caretakers of persons with severe mental illness.  This course aids family members in understanding and coping with mental illness.
• Provider Education Course is a free, dynamic 10-week course for staff, clinicians and administrators of agencies serving persons with mental illness.  A 5-member team consisting of consumers, family members and mental health providers presents a penetrating, subjective view of survivors’ experiences.

CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING: A community partnership providing a 40-hr. training course for law enforcement officers and other first responders who are called into assist persons experiencing a mental illness crisis.  NAMI/PBC participates in the training.  As of July ’09, Palm Beach County has more than 800 CIT graduates.

SPEAKERS BUREAU: Persons in recovery and family members have spoken to college classes, public defenders, legislators and civic associations to promote awareness and help break the stigma associated with mental illness.

LIBRARY: We maintain a free lending library of tapes, videos and books on mental illness.

NAMI PARTNERSHIPS: We partner and serve on committees with:  Partners in Crisis; Mental Health Association; FACT team (Florida Assertive Community Treatment); South County Mental Health Center; LAC (Local Advocacy Council) appointed by Governor; CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) for law enforcement officers; NARSAD (National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression); the Veterans Administration and the Department of Children & Families.

ADVOCACY: Our members visit, call and e-mail legislators to advocate for specific bills, needs important to persons with mental illness, and to educate on issues regarding mental illness.  Members contribute “Letter to the Editors”.  We have gone to court to support consumers and provide insight into the detrimental impact mental illness has made on their lives.

MONITORING: NAMI/PBC serves on Advisory Boards and Public Policy Committees.

FUTURE GOALS: Create additional Consumer Council groups to promote and encourage people to advocate for themselves; form more NAMI Connection support groups for persons with mental illness, and increase the number of support groups for family members; form groups for children and adolescents under 18 years of age; increase our outreach to multicultural communities in Palm Beach County; provide outreach to the western part of the county; offer our educational programs on a quarterly basis; and, advocate for better housing, clubhouses, mental health court, increased funding for mental health resources.

I.  MENTAL ILLNESSES (BRAIN DISORDERS)

Symptoms of Brain Disorders

Symptoms may vary, but all persons with mentally illness have thoughts, feelings or behaviors that result in the inability to cope with the ordinary demands of life.  Most of the following may be useful in recognizing warning signs of mental illness.

While a single symptom or isolated event does not necessarily indicate a brain disorder, professional help should be sought if symptoms persist or worsen.

1. Social withdrawal

Sitting and doing nothing; friendlessness; abnormal self-centeredness; dropping favorite activities, such as sports and hobbies; decline in academic or athletic performance.

2. Depression

Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities; expression of hopelessness, inadequacy; changes in appetite, weight loss or sometimes gain; behaviors unrelated to events or circumstances; excessive fatigue, or inability to sleep; thinking or talking about suicide.

3. Thought disorders

Inability to concentrate or cope with minor problems; irrational statements; poor reasoning, memory and judgment; peculiar use of words or language structure; excessive fears or suspiciousness.

4. Expression of feelings

Hostility from one formerly passive and compliant; indifference, even in highly important situations; inability to cry, or excessive crying; inability to express joy; inappropriate laughter.

5. Behavior

Hyperactivity/inactivity or alternations between the two; deterioration in personal hygiene and appearance; involvement in automobile accidents; drug or alcohol abuse; forgetfulness and loss of valuable possessions; attempts to escape through geographic change: frequent moves or hitch-hiking trips; bizarre behavior (staring, strange posturing); unusual sensitivity to noises, light, colors, clothing; changes in sleeping and eating habits.

6. Cognitive Impairment

Disorientation regarding time, place or person; loss of ability to find way in familiar settings; loss of ability to solve familiar problems; impaired memory for recent events; loss of ability to wash and feed oneself; urinary or fecal incontinence; there may be physical symptoms having no organic cause. They may range from daily headaches or migraines induced by tension, to nausea, pain, and other complaints. These psycho-physiological symptoms are very real, and the individual really suffers.

Any underlying medical disease such as hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, or disordered metabolism can mimic symptoms of mental illness.  A thorough physical examination should be the first step when a brain disorder is suspected.

Often symptoms of brain disorders are cyclic, varying in severity from time to time.  Duration of an episode can also vary from weeks to months for some, and many years or a lifetime for others.

Major Types of Brain Disorders

The following description of types of brain disorders and their symptoms is intended to develop a general understanding of the subject.

SCHIZOPHRENIA: Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain that affects mental processes, such as thinking and judgment, sensory perception, and the ability to appropriately interpret and respond to situations or stimuli.

Many clinicians describe schizophrenic symptoms as either “positive” (experiences which are present but should be absent) or “negative” (experiences which are absent, but should be present).  Positive does not mean “good”; negative does not mean “bad”.

Positive symptoms include:  Hallucinations (hearing, feeling, seeing or smelling things which exist only in the individual’s mind); delusions (persistent false beliefs), suspiciousness; marked thought disorder (communication difficulties, incoherence); bizarre and disorganized behavior; oversensitivity of the senses; loosening of associations.

Negative symptoms include:  Alogia (deficiency in flow of thought, speech); anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure); asociality (social withdrawal); amotivation (lack of interest, persistence, or initiative); apathy (lack of feeling, indifference); poor personal hygiene; inappropriate social behavior.

Positive refers to symptoms that are observable. Negative refers to the absence of normal behavior and attitudes. Both groups of symptoms are part of the illness, but often a person affected by schizophrenia will have a predominance of either one group or the other.

The old style antipsychotic medications were effective in controlling the positive symptoms, but only the newer atypical antipsychotics have been able to help with the negative symptoms.

Schizophrenia is not a split personality, nor can it be treated effectively through psychoanalysis.  It is an impaired process of the brain. It is no one’s fault.  Symptoms can be diminished with appropriate medication.

About one percent of the adult population has schizophrenia. The first symptoms usually appear between the ages of 17 and 24 and can be confused with other common adolescent behaviors.  The essential features of the disease are the same for children and adults, but it may be difficult to diagnose in children.

The following table compiled  by Dr. Irving I . Grossman cited in Dr. Fuller Torrey’s book, Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Consumers and Providers, presents the risk factors for schizophrenia within the family:

Risk for any random individual	1.5 percent
Risk for brother or sister when one sibling is affected	9.6 percent
Risk for half brother or sister when one sibling is affected	4.2 percent
Risk for child when one parent is affected	12.8 percent
Risk for child when both parents are affected	46.3 percent
Risk for nephews and nieces of affected persons	3.0 percent
Risk for grandchildren of affected person	3.7 percent

SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER: Some patients have symptoms which place them somewhere on a spectrum between schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness.  These disorders have not been clearly defined or studied . They are marked by symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorders though not at the same time. Physicians often treat schizoaffective disorder with a combination of antipsychotic medications and lithium.

Persons suffering from schizoaffective disorder do somewhat better than those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

AFFECTIVE DISORDER – MOOD DISORDER (Bipolar Disorder; Depression): Affective disorders or mood disorders include depression (unipolar disorder) and bipolar disorder (manic depression) These are common psychiatric problems and affect five percent of the adult population at any given time. The essential characteristic is a disturbance in feeling or mood. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycles of persistent, severe depression or mania. Manic symptoms may include the following:  boundless energy, enthusiasm, and need for activity; rapid, loud disorganized speech; short temper; argumentativeness; involvement in activities which have negative consequences such as shopping sprees, reckless driving, and unwise investments; delusions.

With depression, the person may have difficulty sleeping; lose interest in daily activities; lose his appetite; suffer feelings of worthlessness, guilt or hopelessness; exhibit feelings of sadness; be unable to concentrate; experience extreme irritability.

In children, aggressive or hostile behaviors may mask underlying depression. Parents should consider the possibility of depression when there are unexplained physical complaints, a drop in school performance, social withdrawal, apathy, increased irritably, sleep or appetite changes, and suicidal behavior or ideation.

In unipolar depression only the depressive symptoms are present.

Psychotic symptoms often complicate mania as well as depression.

Major depression (described above) should not be confused with reactive depression or “the blues”. Reactive depression, sometimes called situational affective disorder, is a temporary condition triggered by life’s problems. Should this condition persist, the affected individual should see a doctor to find out if it is becoming major depression.

The following information from Joyce Burland, Ph.D., in the Family to Family Education Manual, suggests the risk factors for affective disorders within the family:

MAJOR DEPRESSION
Risk in general population	3-4%
Risk for parents, siblings, children	15%
Risk for identical twins	70%
BIPOLAR ILLNESS
Risk in general population	1.2%
Risk for siblings	12%
Risk for child when one parent is affected	27%
Risk for child when both parents are affected	74%

ANXIETY DISORDER: When severe, anxiety may also be considered a mental illness.  Anxiety disorders affect approximately seven to fifteen percent of the population. One particular form, panic disorder, is characterized by recurrent panic attacks in which the person experiences dizziness, chest discomfort, choking and sweating. These attacks generally last only a few minutes, but anticipation of an attack and the subsequent fear of helplessness often complicate the problem.  Other forms of anxiety disorders include fear of specific objects, called phobias. A common phobia is agoraphobia, a fear of going out.  Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a brain disorder characterized by special kinds of thoughts (obsessions) of such severity that they cause distress or interfere with everyday life. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome which results from severe psychological trauma.

Anxiety may be unrelated to any immediate environmental situation and may be far out of proportion to the actual likelihood of a feared event.

PERSONALITY DISORDERS: This broad category of disorders is related to rigid and deeply rooted impaired patterns in relating to, perceiving, and thinking about the environment and oneself.  People suffering from personality disorders fail to adjust to socially acceptable norms of behavior in vocational and social settings and are incapable of establishing adequate, stable relationships. When severe, these disorders need professional attention.  Some of these disorders are:

• ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER. An individual who may be in continuous social or legal trouble and may appear to profit very little from parental or social discipline.
• BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER. This disorder is characterized by marked changes in mood for brief periods of time; having unstable, intense interpersonal relationships; proneness to unpredictable action which could be self-damaging; an unstable self-image.
• PARANOID PERSONALITY DISORDER. Characteristically, this disorder is typified by behaving towards others with unwarranted suspicion, envy, jealousy and stubbornness or feelings of having been taken advantage of, in the face of evidence to the contrary.
• OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD). This disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of perfectionism and inflexibility beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.  The following OCD behaviors can interfere with task completion:  preoccupation with details while losing sight of over-all goals, unreasonable insistence on a particular way of doing things, excessive devotion to work, indecisiveness and over-conscientiousness.  OCD can also cause restricted expression of affection, lack of generosity and inability to discard worthless  objects.

COGNITIVE DEFICIT DISORDER: Although cognitive deficit disorders occur most frequently in the elderly, they can occur at any age. The two most common syndromes are delirium and dementia.

• DELIRIUM. Delirium is an acute and rapid decline in mental function characterized by agitation, disorientation, memory impairment, fluctuating level of consciousness, hallucinations and delusions. It is caused by some underlying physical process, most often drug toxicity, cardiovascular disease, infections or trauma. With treatment of the underlying cause full recovery follows in most cases.
• DEMENTIA. Dementia is a chronic global decline in mental function characterized by disorientation, memory impairment, and decreased self-care. While the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease, other causes of dementia must be ruled out by thorough physical and laboratory examination.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Abusive use of drugs and alcohol can lead to serious depression and other symptoms characteristic of brain disorders. Although substance abuse is not a primary cause of mental illness, it usually worsens illness symptoms and complicates both diagnosis and treatment.

Hal Marchman Act – This act deals with involuntary commitments for substance abuse treatment (both alcohol and drug abuse). Petitions may be filed by a spouse, blood relative, or three persons who have personal knowledge of an individual’s substance abuse. Patients must be served notice of the hearing in person by summons. Emergency commitment is not handled by the court. If an addict is unable to manage their own affairs, a guardian of conservator may be appointed.

DUAL DIAGNOSIS – MENTAL ILLNESS PLUS SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Dual diagnosis presents a problem of enormous proportions. Mental health services are often not well prepared to deal with patients having both afflictions: yet there are signs that the problem of co-occurring disorders is being recognized and that there are an increasing number of programs trying to address it.

Research studies are beginning to help us understand dual diagnosis better. It is now generally agreed that as many as 50% of the mentally ill population also have substance abuse problems. The drug most commonly abused is alcohol, followed by marijuana and cocaine. Prescription drugs such as tranquilizers and sleeping medicines may also be involved. The incidence of abuse is greater among males and those aged 18 to 44. People with mental illnesses may use illegal drugs covertly without their families knowing it.

Substance abuse complicates almost every aspect of care for the person with mental illness. These individuals are very difficult to engage in treatment. Diagnosis is difficult because it takes time to unravel the interacting effects of substance abuse and mental illness. Patients may have difficulty being accommodated at home and may not be tolerated in the community residences or rehabilitation programs.  They tend to lose their support systems and suffer frequent relapses and hospitalizations. Violence is more prevalent among the dually diagnosed population. Both domestic violence and suicide attempts are more common, and of the mentally ill who wind up in jails and prisons, there is a high percentage of drug abusers.

Desirable treatment programs for this population are those in which both illnesses are treated at the same time in the same facility by cross-trained staff, using a gradual, non-confrontational approach.  It is helpful if all family members can be educated concerning dual diagnosis and can reach a consensus regarding how best to help. They need to meet with other families dealing with similar problems, and they should be taught that substance abuse is an illness.  It is not anyone’s fault.

SERIOUS DISORDERS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: Some psychiatric disorders, such as autisim, typically start in childhood while others, such as mood disorders, may be diagnosed in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Although there is still much to learn about childhood disorders, it is generally accepted that many, if not most, of the disorders listed below are primarily neurobiological in nature.

• AUTISM. The child fails to relate normally to parents and other  people and has play that is rigid, repetitive and lacks variety. Seventy-five percent of children with autistic disorder also have mental retardation.  Once present, Autism typically affects the person for life, although about one-third of affected individuals will be able to attain some degree of independence.
• ASPERGER’S SYNDROME. Asperger’s syndrome is a milder variant of autism, (sometimes called high-functioning autism). Since it is a relatively new diagnostic category, many individuals suffering from it have been initially diagnosed with schizophrenia, due to the similarity of symptoms.  In Asperger’s syndrome, affected individuals are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior. Though grammatical, their speech often seems peculiar due to abnormalities of inflection and a repetitive pattern.  People with Asperger’s tend to be physically clumsy. They usually have one circumscribed area of interest, which leaves no space for more age-appropriate activities.
• ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD). Either inattention or hyperactivity may be present, or both may occur.  Inattention: The individual has difficulty paying attention, does not seem to listen when spoken to, and often makes careless mistakes.  Hyperactivity: the individual talks excessively, intrudes on others, and has difficulty sitting still or playing quietly. Such behavior occurs both at school and at home.

TOURETTE’S DISORDER: This often begins when a child aged 5 to 7 begins to have tics, such as eye blinking, grimacing, or shoulder jerks. Sudden vocalizations (barks, clicks, yelps) may appear later, and still later the person may involuntarily say words or phrases.  Uttering obscene words out of context occurs in less than 10% of patients.

II.  COPING WITH BRAIN DISORDERS IN CRISIS

If a person with a mental illness is in danger of physical injury, is out of control, is talking about suicide, is posing a threat to the safety of other persons, you need to know what steps to take.  Consult ahead of time with a mental health professional, so that you will know how to obtain crisis services when you need them. Keep a list of important information by the telephone. If there is an immediate danger to anyone call 911 first.  Otherwise call:  Mobil Crisis Units at:

South County Mental Health Center – 877-858-7474 (toll free)

Northern County – Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches – 877-435-4740 (toll free)

Western County – Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches – 561-992-8707

Occasionally, everyone has a bad day. If you sense deterioration in a relative’s mental condition, try to find out what is going on. There are usually early warning signs that signal problems, such as changes in sleep or social activities, increasing hostility or suspiciousness. Try to get the ill family member to see a psychiatrist or social worker. The objective is to avert a crisis.  If you should need to phone for help, have with you written information about the family member’s diagnosis, medications, and the specific behavior that caused you concern. It may be useful to have several copies to give to the police and mental health professionals.  Family members may be at a loss as to how to react when someone they love is in crisis. Remember that the illness is no one’s fault, nor is it the fault of the person who is in crisis. Evaluate the situation. If you feel there is immediate danger to any person call 911, and ALWAYS request CIT officers.

Be supportive.  If your relative is seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not real, do not argue, deny or reason with him at this time. Instead, assure him that you love him, understand what he is experiencing is real to him, and that you want to help him.  Always be honest. Your relative needs to know that you can be trusted.  Discuss the need for hospitalization with him if this is a possibility.

Voluntary Hospitalization: If your family member willingly accepts his need for hospitalization and is admitted to an appropriate psychiatric facility, accept the fact that he is getting the care he needs.  You will be eager to follow his progress. However, in order to receive information from the staff caring for him, he will have to sign a Release Of Information Authorization that is provided by the hospital. This is required because there is an issue of confidentiality in which the hospital is prohibited from disseminating information about its adult patients without their consent.

Involuntary Hospitalization: At times, involuntary hospitalization becomes necessary.  Often the reasoning ability of a person with mental illness in crisis is impaired, and it is not always possible to convince him of the need for inpatient treatment. Consequently, a person may be seriously ill, but if he refuses treatment, he cannot be committed to a hospital against his will unless he meets the following criteria.

1. There is an imminent threat that the person will harm himself or herself.
2. There is an imminent threat that the person will cause serious physical harm to someone else.
3. The person is not able to provide for his or her basic physical needs and is therefore a danger to himself.

For the courts to take the serious step of depriving someone of his civil liberties, there must be clear and convincing evidence of the above criteria. This can be frustrating to family members or professionals working with the client in that a person may really be in need of treatment but unable to meet all legal criteria for commitment.

The first step a concerned relative or friend should take in regard to exploring the need for involuntary hospitalization is to contact those professionals who are treating the client. If the client is not in active treatment or if the therapist is not available, contact 911 or the Mobile Crisis Unit: for the Southern part of the county call 844-858-7474 (toll free), for the Northern part of the county call 561-383-5777 and for the Western part of the county, call 561-992-8707.

III.  MEDICATIONS

Keep in mind as you read this section that new and better medications are being tested and released every day.  It is in both the families’ and consumers’ best interest to keep up to date in this area.  Read, explore, listen, and then discuss with the appropriate caregiver.  Also, remember that one of the best sources of information in this area, as well as other areas of treatment, is the NAMI web site (found at http://www.nami.org.).

Psychotropic medications can help the person with mental illness to think clearly and to gain control of his/her own thoughts, actions and emotions.  Medications can also dramatically decrease the need for hospitalization and increase the person’s ability to benefit from rehabilitation programs and to function independently.  Any licensed physician, not just a psychiatrist, may prescribe medications.  A competent psychiatrist, however, is more knowledgeable about these medications and should supervise ongoing drug therapy.

It is important to know the names of prescribed medications, their dosage, therapeutic benefits, any side effects observed, and risks or precautions.  The consumer should also have all of this information. Since some persons have reported differences in response to drugs from different manufacturers, you should note both the trade name (generally capitalized) and generic name information, and the dates for  each drug prescribed.  Be sure other doctors (and dentists) know what medications your family member is taking.

Medications produce both beneficial results and undesirable side effects.  People vary in regard to how much benefit they will get from a drug and the type  and severity of the side effects they will experience.  While side effects may be evident soon after starting to take the medication, the desired control of disease symptoms may not be seen for several weeks, and it may take months of continuous use before the maximum benefit is evident.  Some side effects, especially those that appear early, are temporary and may go away or become less severe after a few weeks.  Most side effects are related to drug dose. As the dose increases, side effects may be more noticeable.

Resistance to taking prescribed medications is often due to unpleasant side effects. It is important that the prescribing physician discuss this with the patient and seek the most effective and acceptable plan for treatment. The patient should be given an explanation and written summary of the most common side effects of medications, which have been prescribed.

There are four main groups of drugs used to treat the symptoms of mental illness: antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety drugs.

Antipsychotics: These medications are for treatment of the symptoms of psychosis, which include unusual or bizarre behavior, hallucinations, delusions, agitation, and disturbed thought processes. They are also sometimes used to calm the severely hyperactive behavior seen in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. They can help prevent relapse and/or hospitalization. Some of the more common antipsychotic drugs:  *Abilify (Aripiprazole), *Clozaril (clozapine), *Geodon (ziprasidone), Haldol (haloperidol), *Invega (paliperidone), Loxitane (loxapine), Mellaril (thioridazine), Moban (molindone), Navane (thiothixene), Prolixin (fluphenazine), *Risperdal (risperdone), Serentil (mesoridazine), *Seroquel (quetiapine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Trilafon (perphenazine), *Zyprexa (olanzapine),    (*Atypical antipsychotics).

Clozapine is given to individuals who do not respond to other antipsychotic drugs.  Because it may affect the bone marrow, biweekly blood monitoring is required. The cost of the drug is $5,000 to $7,000 per year.  Risperidone, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Geodon and Abilify are newer antipsychotic drugs with fewer side effects.  Haldol and Prolixin come in long-acting forms and can be administered by injection at intervals of one, two or several weeks.  This eliminates the need to take the medication daily and can be useful for individuals who tend to be forgetful or noncompliant.

Some significant side effects of this group of drugs are:

Allergic reaction: If these occur, it is usually in the first two months of treatment. If any of the following occur during this time, notify the physician: rash, fever, sore throat, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea.

Autonomic reactions: These side effects include dizziness or fainting when first sitting or standing, dry mouth, blurred vision, difficulty in urinating, constipation.  They may decrease or disappear with time.

Sedation: This can be troublesome, but the dosage and best time to take the medication should be discussed with the prescribing physician.

Weight Gain: This is an important and complicated issue.  Consumers should be encouraged to substitute water for soft drinks and exercise as much as possible.

Extrapyramidal reactions (movement problems):  These include restlessness, pacing, rocking, foot tapping, muscle spasms, and muscle stiffness, tremor, shuffling gait, slow movement or drooling.  They may be treated by reducing the dose of antipsychotic drugs or by adding drugs such as Artane or Cogentin.  The newer atypical antipsychotic medications cause fewer movement problems.  A chronic case of extrapyramidal reaction is Tardive Dyskinesia.  This syndrome includes involuntary movements such as lip smacking, chewing movements, grimacing, frowning, or finger twitching. Early signs should be reported to the physician because unless the drug is changed or the dose reduced, the symptoms may get worse and/or become irreversible.  It is preferable to use the newer generation of antipsychotics to avoid this problem.

Mood Stabilizers:  Both lithium and anticonvulsants are used to reduce wide mood swings of persons with bipolar illness. Serum lithium levels should be checked at intervals to regulate the dose so it will control symptoms with the fewest side effects. Some side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle weakness, tremor, thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, sleepiness, or weight gain. If muscle spasms, dizziness, or convulsions occur, stop taking the medication and call the physician.

Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Depakote (divaalproex sodium) blood levels must be checked regularly to attain the maximum therapeutic level.  Newer anticonvulsants such as Lamictal, Neurontin, Topamax, Trileptal, and Gabitril have the advantage of not requiring blood levels. Preliminary evidence indicates that these medications may be very effective in controlling mood disorders, although they are not yet considered first line treatments.

Antidepressants: This group of medications is used to treat severe depression and to manage agitated or hostile behavior related to depression. It is important to note that for some persons with bipolar disorder (manic-depression), use of antidepressants may induce hypomania or mania, and over time the frequency of cycles may be increased. All antidepressants require careful monitoring.

Tricyclic antidepressants; Anafranil, (clomipramine),  Elavil(amitryptyline), Norpramin (desipramine), Pamelor (nortriptyline), Sinequan (doxepin), and Tofranil (imipramine).  Side effects of tricyclic antidepressants may include autonomic reactions, stomach upset, weight gain, drowsiness, nightmares, sleep disturbance, sexual dysfunction, or increased seizure activity for people with a seizure disorder.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors: Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine).  Side effects of monamine oxidase inhibitors may include ringing in the ears, sexual dysfunction, or weight gain. Some serious reactions such as hypertensive crisis, rapid heart rate, and chest pain may result when MAO inhibitors are given with certain foods and other drugs.  It is essential never to mix the wrong food or medicines with MAO inhibitors. Be sure to get the proper list from the  prescribing physician.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Celexa (citalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine); Zoloft (sertraline).  Side effects may include nervousness, nausea, tremor, diarrhea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. These side effects, however, may be temporary and can resolve over several days to weeks.  Other antidepressants: Desgrel (tracodone), Effexor (venlafaxine) Remeron (mirtazapine), Serzone (nefazodone).  Antidepressants are sometimes used to control symptoms other than depression.  For example, Luvox is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, tradone for insomnia, and selective serontin reuptake inhibitors are the treatment of choice for other anxiety disorders.

Antianxiety agents:  This group of medications is used to reduce anxiety, relax muscles, and produce sedation. They should generally be used only for short periods of time. Some are addictive and may produce severe reactions if used with alcohol.  Ativan (lorazepam), BuSpar (buspirone, little risk of addiction), Klonopin (clonazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Serax (oxazepam), Valium (diazepam), Xanax (triazolam).  Side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, loss of muscle coordination, blurred vision, agitation, weight gain, diarrhea. SSRI medications and certain other antidepressants are frequently prescribed for anxiety disorder.  Many of the medications listed in this chapter are expensive.  Purchasing them may constitute a hardship. Most pharmaceutical companies have some provision for providing discount coupons, reimbursement or free medication to needy consumers. A list of drug manufacturers who provide drugs for treating brain disorders and how to contact them for financial help are listed in the PRESCRIPTION DRUG WEBSITE AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE BACK OF THIS BOOK.

IV.  PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES FOR CARE

Because serious mental illness is likely to require treatment over a long period of time, or an entire lifetime, most persons with serious mental illness sooner or later use the services of their local community mental health center (CMHC).  The entry point for services may be by appointment with an intake worker, through crisis or psychiatric emergency services, through the commitment process, or by referral from a jail or homeless shelter.  Once a person is determined to be eligible for services, a case manager is ordinarily assigned to assist with such services as crisis intervention, income support, rehabilitation services, and link to counseling (therapy) and outreach services.  CMHCs may also offer residential and vocational services to eligible individuals.  There may, in addition, be a family education program to provide support and information to family members.  Payment for CMHCs is based on ability to pay.  Parents are not ordinarily financially responsible for their children after they have reached the age of 18, and most CMHCs are Medicare and Medicaid providers.  A private psychiatric hospital may be sought for emergencies either for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization. Be sure to keep the telephone numbers readily available. See listing for hospitals serving Palm Beach County which are equipped to respond to mental illness emergencies.  If, rather than using services provided by the Community Mental Health Centers of Palm Beach County, the choice is private care, there are several things to consider:

a.  Private insurance may cover a short hospitalization. Check carefully to see how much of the cost is covered; most policies have very limited coverage for psychiatric problems. Check with your insurance company about continuing your child’s coverage after the age when coverage generally stops. It may be possible to continue coverage past that age on a parent’s policy.

b.  Medicare and Medicaid may cover hospitalization if there is no private insurance coverage. A case manager with whom the client is working may assist with application for Medicaid.

The Mental Health Treatment Team

The treatment team is made up of professionals who are collaborating on the case and should include the client and family members.

a.  Psychiatrists are physicians who assess, diagnose, and prescribe medications. They work with the treatment team to decide on a treatment plan, i.e. approaches to treatment, medications and aftercare.

b.  Psychiatric nurses usually have major responsibility for planning care in the hospital, the day treatment program, or the medication clinic.

c.  Social workers obtain social history information from both the patient and the family to assist in formulation of the diagnosis and in treatment discharge plans. They commonly serve as liaison between the treating agency and the family and should be knowledgeable concerning the community resources.

d.  Case managers coordinate care and treatment for the mentally ill in the community and sometimes help when there is a problem with a person with mental illness complying with treatment or medication.

e.  Clinical psychologists may be involved in administering diagnostic tests, conducting individual or group sessions for patients, and planning care both inside the hospital and after discharge.

f.  NAMI/PBC and competent providers consider family members to be a vital part of the treatment team. As soon after admission to the hospital as possible, concerned family members should make an appointment with the professional in charge of their loved ones treatment to discuss the following:

• What is the diagnosis? Please explain.
• What is the treatment plan?
• What are the specific symptoms about which you are most concerned?  What do they indicate?  How are you monitoring them?
• What medications is the patient getting? Is the response what was hoped for? What side effects should be watched for?
• Has the doctor or nurse discussed with the patient the diagnosis, medications and their side effects, and the treatment plan?
• How often can we meet to discuss progress?
• What is the discharge plan to ensure that the patient can maintain stability in the community and how is it implemented?
• How can I be of help and support to assure a team effort?

The patient must give his/her consent before a staff person can release information. Therefore, you may ask your relative to sign a release of information. If your relative does not want to sign a blanket (all-inclusive) release, you may ask for a release for specific information, such as diagnosis, prognosis, signs of relapse, kinds of medications or discharge plans; and the release form can be revised to specify that.   It is important to know that the HIPAA laws DO NOT preclude you from giving information. So provide as much information as possible to the mental health professionals.

V.  BRAIN DISORDERS AND THE FAMILY

Reactions of Family Members

Living with a person who has a mental illness has many challenges. You may tend to treat the ill family member differently from others because of his/her behavior. The person with the mental illness may rebuff any attempt to be reached and may be fearful or accusatory toward those trying to help.  Families, friends, co-workers, and classmates quite naturally have difficulty dealing with this behavior.  It is natural to feel resentment toward some of the behavior of the relative with mental illness.  Realizing the person is ill does not always overcome the hurt, anger, frustration, or dismay felt by relatives and close friends.  Guilt is also a common feeling even though the family did not cause the illness. REMEMBER: Mental illness is a medical, no-fault disorder.  A person with a chemical imbalance in their brain, did not choose to have this condition.

To promote recovery for the person with mental illness, focus on developing productive, positive living arrangements and coping strategies is vital.  Keep in mind:

1. Avoid placing blame and guilt.
2. Seek the support, understanding, and relief you need.  Remember, you must keep yourself healthy so you are able to cope because you, the family member, are the one most able to pursue the needed services for your loved one.
3. Continue your own outside interests; there is more to life than mental illness.

Schedule time for yourself; include some physical exercise.  Maintain your own mental health.

1. Remember other family members also are affected, and they probably are experiencing denial, guilt, and depression just as you may be. Keep communication open by talking with them about these feelings.
2. Learn all you can about the illness and make such information available to all the family, including the ill member.  The Family to Family Education Program offered by NAMI of Palm Beach County is a 12 week course for families of individuals with serious and persistent brain disorders and the Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education Course offered by NAMI/PBC is a 9-week course that promotes recovery from serious mental illness.
3. Do not be afraid or ashamed to acknowledge that you are the relative of a person with mental illness.  This is the first step in removing the stigma attached to mental illness.
4. Find out about benefits and support systems when things are going well.  Don’t wait for a crisis.
5. Consider joining a NAMI family support group. You need the support of others who really understand what you are going through.  Also remember that NAMI/PBC has much informative and helpful literature for family members.

Suggestions for Assisting a Family Member with a Mental Illness

1. Try to work with the therapist or treatment team when the person is at his/her best  If possible, determine which events led to hospitalization.  Agree on a course of action if acute symptoms reappear.
2. Learn to recognize signs of relapse, such as changes in sleeping or eating habits, withdrawal, etc.  The person who has mental illness may be able to identify early signals of relapse and may also be able to tell you what method he or she has used successfully in the past to gain control of symptoms and to relieve stress.  Regular visits to a psychiatrist and/or therapist may help to prevent a full-blown relapse, particularly in identifying when a person may need an adjustment of medications.
3. Consider having your loved one execute an Advance Directive – a declaration of mental health treatment form that can be prepared when he or she is in a stable situation so that treatment can be initiated when the person begins to decompensate.
4. Anticipate troublesome situations.  If Aunt Tessie cannot handle the relationship, do not have her to dinner when your ill family member is present.
5. Do not agree with stopping medications because the condition is “cured” or because the medication “makes me feel sick”.  Refer these decisions to the doctor who prescribed the medication.
6. Avoid pampering.  Set reasonable rules and limits and stick to them.  If you find this difficult to do, ask the person’s doctor or a counselor to help you do this.
7. Do not suggest that the person “pull themselves together”.  If he/she could, they would. Not being able to do this is a part of the illness.  Remember that their situation is    even greater than yours.
8. Do not expect or insist that all peculiar habits be corrected at once.  Focus on what is accomplished, not on what is not accomplished.
9. At times the ill persons suffer from memory loss or inability to concentrate. This is frustrating and frightening.  Do not insist that the person try harder to concentrate; just repeat the information in a non-judgmental way.
10. Do not fall in with delusional thinking. The person who has mental illness needs to be able to depend on a person who is objective and aware of what is really happening.  On the other hand, do not argue with this type of thinking or try to point out faulty logic.
11. Your family member may hallucinate, that is, see, feel, hear, or otherwise perceive things not perceived by others.  Be honest. Accept his perceptions as his own. If asked, point out simply that you are not experiencing the hallucination.
12. The ill person can be over stimulated by emotionally-laden communications.  Keep levels of expressed emotion to a reasonable minimum. Research shows that high levels of expressed emotion tend to provoke psychotic breakdowns and hospitalizations.
13. Most of us have had the experience of having our relative missing for various periods of time; some reappear in a homeless shelter or a jail. NAMI has set up a network of volunteers who may be able to give you helpful information about locating the missing person. Please call the NAMI office, at 561-588-3477.
14. If your relative has court-related problems call the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. in your area.

Advocacy and Support Groups for Families

NAMI/PBC has many support groups for family members throughout the County.  There are also support groups for the persons with mental illness.  These groups provide both information and support.  (See Index for listings, contact the NAMI/PBC office for a list of meetings – 561-588-3477, or check the listing on our website at www.namipbc.org.

The public health centers and some private hospitals have information and support groups for persons with mental illness and family members as well. (See Index for listing.)

VI.  FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Federal and State Programs — SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid

Supplementary Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs are designed to provide financial assistance or replace some lost earnings to disabled people, including the persons with mental disorders.  Additional eligibility requirements for SSI also include consideration of income.  In order to qualify for SSDI, you must have worked in 5 of the last 10 years, unless you are under age 31.  Contact your nearest Social Security Office for more detailed information and assistance in filing these applications.  Applications can now be completed on the phone so that the need to visit the office is virtually eliminated.  It is necessary to provide the Social Security Office with the client’s Social Security number and a list of doctors, hospitals, or clinics where diagnosis and treatment were received.

Depending on the type of claim filed, you may need to provide other evidence, such as birth certificates or other proof of age, proof of citizenship, information about any sources of financial support, tax returns, bankbooks, insurance policies, car registration and burial fund records.  The Social Security representative will advise you of the documents needed to process your claim.  It is important that you provide Social Security with all the information pertaining to the disability.

It is also recommended that the applicant provide a paper, in their own words, describing in specific detail how their disability prevents them from working, attending school, how it effects the most simple day-to-day functions, and most importantly, any side effects as the result of their required medication.  This is very important in order that the person handling the claim can actually envision the applicant and the devastating effects suffered from their disability.

A disabled adult child who was disabled before the age of 22 may be eligible for coverage on a parent’s Social Security if the parent is retired, disabled or deceased.  The amount of SSI benefits is more if the person with mental illness lives independently rather than at home.  A representative payee designated to receive payments on behalf of the disabled person may be necessary if the disabled person is unable to manage his or her funds.  The payee may be a relative or a concerned friend.  Occasionally, the Health Department can be the payee for an active client.

If SSI or SSDI benefits are denied, the ruling may be appealed as follows:

• Ask for a reconsideration of the ruling.
• Ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge.
• Ask for a review of the decision by the Appeals Council.
• Bring civil action in federal court.

Be careful to file each appeal within 60 days of denial.  Do not be discouraged if you are denied twice.  Many cases are not won until you appear before an administrative law judge.  Retaining legal counsel experienced in this area of the law may be helpful but is not required.  Many attorneys represent claimants on a contingency basis – no fee unless the claim is successful.

Medicaid is generally available for those who qualify for SSI.  Apply for Medicaid at:  Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov.  After you have been receiving Social Security Disability Benefits for two years, the Social Security Office will notify you that you are eligible for Medicare. Since laws are always changing, check with the Social Security Office.

VII.  GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP

Guardianship is the designation by the County Probate Court of a person to make personal decisions on behalf of another person who is judged to be incapacitated. The guardian makes decisions regarding personal care but is not financially responsible for the costs involved. A parent or other family member may want to seek guardianship for a mentally ill relative because:

1. The guardian can help the person with mental illness by seeing that he or she is living in a safe place or receives needed medical attention.
2. The guardian has full access to medical records, information that may otherwise be impossible to obtain.

Conservatorship is the designation by the County Probate Court of a person to assume financial management of income or property. If the disabled person has property worth less than $5000.00, or if his income is less than $5000.00, a conservator is not necessary. In this case, however, a parent or other person may be designated payee for SSI or other benefits. You may want to contact your attorney to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Conservatorship/Guardianship.

VIII.  WILLS AND ESTATE PLANNING

If the person with mental illness qualifies for SSI benefits, it is very important for the family to plan ahead so that the SSI payments and Medicaid will not be lost through inadequate estate planning.  By inheriting property or money, the person with mental illness may be disqualified for these entitlements that cover the cost of residential and medical care.

Some family members have drawn up a will that leaves out the relative who has the brain disorder.  Others have set up a Living Trust with another relative as trustee (or co-trustee with a financial institution) on behalf of the person with mental illness. The trust must be restricted so that it cannot be used for support and maintenance. A lawyer who specializes in this work should be consulted.

IX. WORKING WITH THE SYSTEM

Families need to know how to be effective in getting help for a relative who has a serious mentally illness. They need to know what questions to ask, what people to see and especially where to go for help when they feel overwhelmed and discouraged. Here are some suggestions:

1. Keep a record of everything. List names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of crisis events, admission to hospitals, and dates of discharge. Make notes of conversations and conferences. Make copies of everything you mail. Keep all notices and letters.
2. Be polite and keep conversations to the point. Do not allow yourself to be intimidated; do not try to intimidate the service providers. (Sometimes it helps to have a friend or someone with you.)
3. If your relative is age 18 or older, request his or her permission to review all documents. Only if permission is granted in writing will you be able to do so.  If your relative does not want to grant full permission, ask for written permission to receive certain specific information, such as diagnosis, prognosis, signs of relapse, medications prescribed, treatment, and/or discharge plans.
4. Write letters of appreciation when warranted; write letters of criticism when necessary. Send these to the hospital or agency director with copies to anyone else who may be involved. Also send copies to your legislator or other state official if you get no response.
5. Do not accept a vague answer or a statement that seems confusing. If a clinician says, “We are observing your daughter carefully”, recognize that this statement provides you with no information! If you are told that the medication may cause extrapyramidal side effects, ask for an explanation of what that means.
6. If you are not getting the responses you need, contact one of the agencies listed under “Complaints and Grievances.”
7. Be sure to treat your relative with respect and dignity.
8. Do not be afraid or ashamed to acknowledge that you are the relative of a person with mental illness. This is the first step in removing the stigma often attached to mental illness.
9. Lobby your legislators for mental health services.
10. Finally, be assertive! You are paying, either directly or through taxes.  You are entitled to information, respect and courtesy. You are not asking for favors; you are simply helping to get the job done.

In this handbook, we have offered you some general information of what is known about brain disorders. We have explained services available to you and have offered suggestions for coping.  Mental illness is a difficult problem with no easy solutions; we hope the handbook is of some help to you.

HOSPITALS AND MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS

Fair Oaks Hospital Pavilion

5440 Linton Blvd., Delray Beach, Fl 33484-6512

561-495-3737 or 561-495-3710   Website:  www.delraymedicalctr.com

Fair Oaks Pavilion is a Baker Act receiving facility specializing in short term stabilization of acute psychiatric emergencies, as well as medical detoxification from substances.  The facility benefits from the backup of a level II trauma hospital as well as a number of dedicated employees including nurses, licensed therapists, case managers and behavioral health technicians.  It is a private facility accepting most major insurances.

Oakwood Centers of the Palm Beaches, Inc.

1041 45^th Street, West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

561-383-5777 (for services) or 561-383-5725 (for information) www.oakwoodcenter.org

The mission of the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches is to help clients build resiliency, facilitate recovery and achieve reintegration into the community by designing and delivering behavioral healthcare services that meet their needs and expectations.  The highly trained professional staff provides the high-quality clinical services clients’ need – services that will help them to restore and maintain their productive lives in the community, in the shortest possible time, and in the least restrictive environment.

St. Marys Institute for Mental Health

901 45^th Street, West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

www.stmarys.com (search for “mental health”)

561-844-3600

Office Hours – Every day/24 hours

Fees: Medicaid, Medicare, most insurance accepted, private pay.

Eligibility: Initial assessment/evaluation

Intake procedure: Contact by phone or walk-in.

Provides inpatient hospitalization for adults 18 and over and has a special gero-psychiatric unit as well as alcohol and drug detoxification. Intake is available 24 hours a day and psychiatric emergency response is available. The institute is a private Baker Act receiving facility and accepts involuntary patients for evaluation. Referrals from physicians, psychologists, mental health clinicians, law enforcement agencies and community organizations are welcome.

South County Mental Health Center, Inc.

16158-S Military Trail, Delray Beach, Fl 33484

561-637-2102   561-637-1410

Email: scmhc@scmhcinc.org Website:  www.scmcinc.org

South County Mental Health Center is a full-service provider of behavioral health services.  Some of the services provided are Crisis Stabilization, a Mobile Crisis Unit, outpatient psychiatric services, individual, family and group therapy, a full-service pharmacy, case management for adults and children, psychosocial rehabilitation and social programs.

Columbia Hospital

The Pavilion,   2201 45^th Street, West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

561-881-2672

Columbia Hospital, The Pavilion, is a comprehensive behavioral health care facility, JCAHO/AOA accredited, providing inpatient and outpatient services to children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics.  The Pavilion is licensed as an 88-bed acute care Baker Act receiving facility.  In addition to our inpatient services, Columbia Hospital also provides outpatient services for adults and seniors including a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and an Evening Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for co-occurring disorders.

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center

7305 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Fl 33410-6400

561-422-8262 or 1-800-972-8262

1-800-273-TALK (8255)   Website:   www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

GEO/South Florida State Hospital (ASH/SFSH)

800 E. Cypress Drive, Pembroke Pines, Fl 33025

954-392-3000 – Website: www.sfsh.org

ASH/SFSH is the state owned, privately managed, psychiatric hospital for the Department of Children and Families districts 8,9,10,11,14 and 15. There are 325 beds for severely and persistently mentally ill people who cannot be successfully treated in a less restrictive setting in the community.

Community Health Centers

Eligibility:  No Health Insurance, Medicaid or Medicare; photo ID req’d and proof of income (Call for Appt. and Hours):

2330 South Congress Ave.,

Palm Springs, FL

561-968-2029

2823 North Australian Avenue

West Palm Beach, FL

561-840-8681

Samaritan Gardens

1119 So. Flagler Drive
West Palm Beach, FL, 33401

561-366-1147

COUNTY PROVIDER RESOURCES

211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast

 P.O. Box 3588, Lantana, FL  33465

Ph:  2 1 1

Email:  211@211pbc.org Website:  www.211palmbeach.org

Teen Website:  www.teen211pbtc.org

Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255

211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast assists people in need by providing information on available health and human service programs, referral, crisis intervention and community education 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week.

Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc.

 1712 Second Ave., No., Lake Worth, FL 33460

561-253-1361

Adopt-A-Family is a not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1983 dedicated to restoring families in crisis to stability and self-sufficiency by providing access to all-encompassing services to families and their children.

Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County

4101 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 (Admin. Ofc.)
561-616-1222   Fax: 561-616-1230  Website: www.ctrfam.org

Through CFS’s array of services and collaborations with other human service agencies, the Center seeks to facilitate positive change in families and consequently to communities to provide stable households for growth, health and prosperity.  The benefits of services provided by CFS provide a mechanism for disadvantaged family units, parents, teenagers and children to lift themselves out of a cycle of psychological and economic poverty.  CFS strives to preserve and strengthen individual and family life through professional, affordable counseling, early childhood education and homelessness prevention.

CIT

Call:  9 1 1

CIT is a community partnership between law enforcement agencies, the local mental health and substance abuse treatment systems, mental health advocacy groups, and consumers of mental health services and their families. CIT is more than just training. It establishes teams of trained officers within each law enforcement agency to respond effectively to people with mental illnesses, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, that are in crisis. Over 700 law enforcement officers have now received this training in Palm Beach County. One should dial 911 and ask for a CIT Officer to respond to the call, possibly diverting the person to a treatment facility rather than to jail.

Department of Children and Families

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office

111 South Sapodilla Avenue, Suite 103, West Palm Beach , Fl 33401

561-650-6860 or 561-650-6859  Website:  www.dcf.state.fl.us/mentalhealth

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office is an administrative office within the Department of Children and Families (DCF) that contracts for and monitors state funded substance abuse and mental health services throughout Palm Beach County.  Funding is allocated to contract providers to serve the following populations:  Severe and Persistent Mentally Ill; Adults and Children with Substance Abuse Issues; Serious Emotionally Disturbed Children; Adults and Children in need of Crisis Intervention, and individuals involved in the forensic system who are incompetent to proceed due to mental illness.  In addition, the SAMH program office is collaborating with community groups and organizations to develop a co-occurring capable system of care in Palm Beach County.

Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County

909 Fern Street, West Palm Beach Florida, 33401

561-832-3755  Website: www.mhapbc.org

MHA works to improve understanding about issues related to mental health through advocacy, education, research, and outreach.  MHA programs include: Listen to Children Mentors, Beacon Centers, and Peer Place Drop-In Center.

Multilingual Psychotherapy Centers, Inc.

1639 Forum Place, Ste. 7, West Palm Beach, Fl 33409

561-712-8821 or 561-712-8070

Email: multilingual@mpcipbc.com

Website:  www.multilingualpsychotherapycenters.com

Multilingual Psychotherapy Centers is a comprehensive mental health center that has been serving residents of Palm Beach County for over 10 years.  Our staff speaks more than 10 languages, including Spanish, French, Creole, German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Cantonese, Polish and Hindi.  We offer medical/psychiatric services, psychological testing, individual/family/group therapy in office and therapy in home and schools, support services and case management services.

Parent-Child Center, Inc.

 2001 W. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach, FL  33404

561-841-3500

Children’s Community Mental Health Center serving Palm Beach County and offering an array of services to children.

NATIONAL, STATE & LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

American Psychological Association

408 Office Plaza Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Ph: 850-656-2222 (Main)  – Website:  www.flapsych.com

Ph: 561- 251-7979 (Palm Beaches)

Public Education Line – 800-964-2000

Live operators 24/7 refer you to local APA board-certified psychologists

American Psychiatric Association

1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, Va. 22209-3901
Ph: 703-907-7300 -  email:  apa@psych.org

NAMI National (Bilingual Avail.)

2107 Wilson Blvd. – Suite 300, Colonial Place 3

Arlington, VA 22201-3042

703-524-7600  Website:  www.nami.org

NAMI Florida

911 East Park Ave.,

Tallahassee, FL 32301

850-671-4445; Toll-Free: 877-626-4352   Website:  www.namifl.org

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression

60 Cutter Mill Rd. Suite 404

Great Neck, N.Y. 11021

1-800-829-8289  Website:  www.narsad.org

NARSAD was formed from four major citizens groups concerned with mental illness. NARSAD raises and distributes funds for scientific research into causes, cures, and treatments of brain disorders. Contact them by phone, or visit their website for brochures and videos or an order form for other educational materials.

National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD)

12 West 21^st Street

New York, NY 100101-800-NCA-CALL (Hope Line)

Website: www.ncadd.org

The NCADD National Office provides education and public awareness information. The National Office can also refer you to NCADD local affiliates for a wide range of services for individuals with alcohol and/or substance abuse problems and support groups for their families.

Florida Assertive Community Treatment Team (F.A.C.T.)

Henderson Mental Health Center FACT Team

3155 Lake Worth Rd. Ste 1, Lake Worth, Fl 33467

Phone: 561-649-6500  Fax: 561-649-6501  Website:  www.hendersonmhc.org

The Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) is a service-delivery model for providing comprehensive community-based treatment to persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses.  Services include: 1) Treatment Services (assessment, education, management, monitoring); 2) Rehabilitation Services (basic living skills, vocational and social), 3) Case Management Services, 4) Crisis Intervention, 5) Support Services (family and peer support).

Partners In Crisis

175 Marlin Drive, Merritt Island, FL 32952
321-453-8825  Website:  www.flpic.org

Partners In Crisis (PIC) is a statewide coalition of stakeholders who have come together to advocate for improvements in Florida’s mental health and substance abuse service delivery system. What makes Florida Partners in Crisis unique is the diversity of its membership – judges, law enforcement and correctional officials, prosecutors and public defenders, mental health and substance abuse providers, hospital administrators, family member and consumer advocates.  Since October, 1999, PIC’s advocacy has resulted in several increases in funding for mental health and substance abuse services in Florida.

EMERGENCY/REFERRALS

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

4400 No. Federal Hwy., Ste. 210

Boca Raton, FL  33431

561-392-7877  Website:  www.AFSP.org

SOS Support Group: 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays 7:30 pm in Large Conf. Room

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-784-2433

Contact for people who are depressed or suicidal.

211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast

 P.O. Box 3588, Lantana, FL  33465

Ph:  2 1 1

Email:  211@211pbc.org Website:  www.211palmbeach.org

Teen Website:  www.teen211pbtc.org

Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255

211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast assists people in need by providing information on available health and human service programs, referral, crisis intervention and community education 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week.

Faith*Hope*Love*Charity, Inc.

 3175 S. Congress Ave., Ste 304, Palm Springs, FL 33461

561-968-1612   Email:  fhlc@fdn.com Website:  www.standown.org

Providing community reintegration and transitional services for veterans, active duty military and their families.  “Full family support services and outreach for veterans and active duty military.”

Mobile Crisis Unit – South County Mental Health Center – 877-858-7474 (toll free)

Mobile Crisis Unit – Northern County – Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches – 877-435-4740 (toll free)

Mobile Crisis Unit – Western County – Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches –  561-992-8707

DISABILITY ADVOCACY

 

Florida Statewide Advocacy Council

1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg. 1, Rm 401, Tallahassee, Fl 32399-0700

800-342-0825

The Statewide and Local Advocacy Council system is a consumer protection mechanism for people receiving services from state agencies in Florida. The volunteer members appointed by the Governor, investigate complaints about abuse and deprivations of human and constitutional rights. In general, the councils advocate for the welfare of individuals who receive services from the State.

The Advocacy Center for Persons With Disabilities, Inc.

2728 Centerview Drive, Suite 102, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Toll free 800-342-0823  Website: www.advocacycenter.org

The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc. is the official, Governor-designated protection and advocacy system for the State of Florida. The Advocacy Center has authority and responsibility under eight federal programs. We are a statewide, not-for-profit corporation.

 

THERAPY/COUNSELING/SUPPORT SERVICES

Alzheimer’s Community Care, Inc.

800 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 101B, West Palm Beach, FL  33407

561-683-2700 Website:  www.alzcare.org

A Florida-based not-for-profit organization providing specialized care to patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and their caregivers.  Extensively educated and trained team in dementia-specific services, ACC is an innovative model of care that provide affordable and individualized services and resources to patients and their families, while preserving their dignity.  ACC offers: specialized adult day care, family nurse consultants, support groups, 24-hr. crisis line, and dementia-specific education and training.

Catholic Charities

9995 Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Fl 33410

561-775-9560 Administrative Offices

561-842-2406 West Palm Beach

561-274-0801 Delray Beach

561-996-0483 Belle Glade

Counseling Services: 561-274-0801   Website: www.diocesepb.org/charities/

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is a comprehensive non-profit family service organization with offices located in Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, Indian River and St. Lucie counties.  All services are available on a non-discriminatory basis to eligible clients regardless of religious affiliation or ethnic origin.

Center For Autism and Related Disabilities

5313 Greenwood Ave, West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

561-840-6739

Provides support and assistance for people with autism, dual sensory impairment and related disabilities. Offers training, family support, community outreach, individual consultation, school support and information dissemination.

The Chrysalis Center, Inc.

 2311 10^th Ave., No., Ste 5, Lake Worth, FL  33461

561-533-6640          561-533-9106 (Fax)

Email:  msiljak@chrysaliscenter.org Website:  www.chrysaliscenter.org

Provides mental health and substance abuse counseling and targeted case management to children, adolescents and adults. Services include individual, family and group therapy, day programs, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, psychological testing and psychosexual evaluations.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

South County Mental Health Center

16158 Military Trail, Delray Beach, Fl 33484

561-737-8400

DBSA North Palm Beach County – Jupiter
Contact 1: Abbey Friedman, Phone: (561) 633-7525

DBSA Gold Coast (for adolescents to age 20) – Boca Raton
Contact 1: Steve S., Phone: (561) 737-8299
Contact 2: Patty, Additional Phone: (561) 716-7511
Email: rossdolphins@bellsouth.net Website: www.goldcoastdbsa.com

A consumer based organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected with depression and bipolar illness and their families. Offers education, support and information about services and resources available to persons with mental illness and their families. Strives to promote public awareness to the community at large.

Family Preservation Services of Florida, Inc.

 1860 Old Okeechobee Rd., Ste 509, West Palm Beach, FL 33409

561-683-4778  Website:  www.fpscorp.com

FPSFL provides outpatient therapy/counseling, medication management, assessments and targeted case management to children and adults.  We accept Medicaid/various HMOs.  Contact office for add’l info.  FPSFL is committed to meeting community needs and can develop specialized programs.

Institute for Family Centered Services, Inc.

75 NE 6th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483

Referrals can be sent to Stephanie Hudak via fax at 954-977-9776

Providing counseling and therapy to help the client and family improve their overall level of functioning.  Also provide substance abuse services.  Therapists are on call to their families 24/7 for crisis intervention.

Legacy Behavioral Health Center, Inc.

1551 Forum Place, Bldg. 400 D&E, West Palm Beach, FL  33401

561-616-8411    561-616-8412 (Fax)

Email:  legacybhc@comcast.net

Website: www.legacybhc.com

A multicultural center which provides an array of comprehensive mental health services in English, Spanish, Canjoval, Creole and French, which a culturally sensitive treatment focus.  Services include psychiatric, psychological, individual/family/ group therapy, in home/school therapy, to children and adolescents and their families, as well as specific therapeutic services to older adults.

Multicultural Community Mental Health Center

 2721 Poinsettia Ave., West Palm Beach, FL  33407

561-653-6292

Outpatient Therapy Services

 16158 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach, FL  33484

561-737-8400 (North)    561-495-0522

Services offered to clients who are experiencing a crisis, such as divorce, terminal illness, or death in the family and are in need of short term, structured therapy.

Peer Place Drop-In Center

2100 45th Street, Ste B12, West Palm Beach, FL 561-712-0584

Our mission is to encourage individuals to take charge of their own recovery from mental illness by offering them the opportunity to achieve their personal potential and continued growth through recreation, support and education.

Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service

21300 Ruth & Baron Coleman Blvd., Boca Raton, FL  33428

561-852-3333   E-Mail: info@rrjfs.org Website:  ruthralesjfs.org

Providing a comprehensive range of counseling, support services, drop-in center and educational programs.

The Volen Center

 1515 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL  33486

561-395-8920

Email:  mvscdays@maevolen.com

Website:  www.maevolen.com

The Center is an active senior center providing case management, support groups, assessments, referrals, on-site child and adult day care, counseling, financial and emergency services through state-funded programs.

Welcome Home Drop-In Center

7099 West Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33446

561-852-3333

The Center is for individuals living with chronic mental illness, providing an empowerment program designed to help participants make decisions, access resources, and achieve personal objectives.  Activities such as topic-specific support groups, art projects, educational groups, and stress management, as well as monthly outings for dinner, movies, trips to museums, the zoo and other local venues, providing a wealth of opportunities for interaction.  Vocational and life skills training is an important part of the program.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE/TREATMENT CENTERS

CARP, Inc. (Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Programs) 

5410 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407

561-844-6400, Email: ceo@carpinc.org; Website: www.carpinc.org

Provides prevention, education and treatment services through a Continuum of Care, to individuals and families affected by alcoholism, drug dependency and co-occurring disorders to achieve an abstinence-based recovery. CARP serves co-occurring clients with a primary substance abuse diagnosis and a secondary mental health disorder. A staff psychiatrist conducts psychiatric evaluations, and medications management. Other services include Medical Detoxification Program, Homeless Assessment Center, Adult Intensive and Intermediate Residential Treatment programs for men and women, Adolescent Residential Treatment Program for boys and girls, 13-17 years, Outpatient Treatment Programs and Aftercare Services. All services are provided on a sliding scale fee basis, based on ability to pay.  

Counseling Services of Lake Worth, Inc.

416 North Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth, FL 33460

561-547-0303   Website:  www.cslkw.org Email:  sladd@cslkw.org

Offering Drug Court Program, Anger Management, Batterer’s Intervention Program, Substance Abuse Eval. & Treatment, DUI Program, Co-Occurring Treatment, EAP, Relationship Counseling, Mental Health Assessments & Treatment, Individual Therapy, Urinanalysis Drug Screen Testing, contracted Laboratory Drug Testing.  Most services in English and Spanish. Accessible via Palm Tran.

Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc.

400 S. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Fl 33444

Assessment Center  561-278-0000 Palm Beach County

Our purpose is to encourage and support the process of recovery and to promote drug-free living.

Professional Training Association @ Care Florida

 321 North Lake Blvd., Ste 102

North Palm Beach, FL  33408

866-494-0866   Email:  mitchw@careflorida.com

Website:  www.careflorida.com

Providing substance abuse treatment day/night with community housing, day/night intensive outpatient, outpatient specializing in dual diagnosis, gambling, eating disorders, addictive disorders and other process addictions.

Sunset House

8800 Sunset Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL  33410

561-627-9701  Email:  mcooper@sunsetrecovery.com

Website:  www.sunsetrecovery.com

An extended care residential treatment facility for men 18 and over who have a desire to maintain and develop their recovery from alcohol and/or drug abuse in a safe, structured environment.  Clients may have completed inpatient residential treatment, may have experience a recent relapse, or may not have reached the point of needing intensive inpatient treatment.  An affordable alternative.

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SERVICES

Family Access Solutions, Inc.

c/o Joy Bartmon, Esq.

1515 N. Federal Hwy, Ste 300, Boca Raton , FL  33432

561-702-6972      Email:  jabartmon@aol.com

Mediation on parenting, custodial and visitation issues;  development of specifically tailored comprehensive parenting plans; Guardian ad Litem and Attorney ad Litem services; educational seminars on parenting, conflict resolution, and Florida law; supervised visitation at local area venues and supervised telephone contact.

Sandy Pines

11301 SE Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL  33469

561-575-1445

www.psysolutions.com/facilities/sandypines

Sandy Pines is an 80-bed residential treatment center specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents ages 5-17 with a variety of severe mental health, behavioral disorders, and dual-diagnosed substance abuse issues, in a serene and natural setting.

The Seal Academy

2290 NW 2^nd Ave. Suite 7, Boca Raton, FL 33486

561-706-1004

First private academic therapeutic day school in Palm Beach County.  The environment is geared towards educating and empowering children who are living with medical, emotional and/or learning differences, specializing in Anxiety, OCD, Asperger’s Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Tic Disorder and learning disabilities.

Center for Independent Living Options (CILO)

6800 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL  33413

561-966-4288  Email:  efeir@cilo.org.   Website:  www.cilo.org

A civil rights and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.  We serve all types of disabilities and all age groups.  Services:  Independent skill training, advocacy, peer support, information & referral, entitlement benefits and veterans’ services.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Joy A. Bartmon, Esq., P.A.

1515 N. Federal Hwy, Ste 300, Boca Raton, FL  33432

561-392-7782    Website:  www.bartmonfamilylaw.com

Email:  jabartmon@aol.com

Practice in the areas of family law and mental health law, including prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, divorce, custody, parenting plans, contempt, extended family custody, stepparent adoption, Marchman Act, Baker Act, incapacity/emergency guardianship and Guardian ad Litem services.

South County Courthouse

200 W. Atlantic Avenue, Room 150, Delray Beach, Fl 33444

561) 274-1440 – Palm Beach County

Assists the public in filing involuntary petitions mandated under Florida’s mental health laws – Baker Act and Hal Marchman Act, Retardation Act, Tuberculosis Act, Incapacity: Adult Protective Service Act.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE WEBSITE

http://www.pparx.org

Toll-Free:  1-888-477-2669

Recently, the  Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) launched a new interactive website that provides a comprehensive one-step link to more than 1400 medicines offered through more than 140 industry and 185 government and privately sponsored patient assistance programs for which they may be qualified. PhRMA also publishes a printed version of the Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs, which lists programs, the companies that offer them, available medicines, basic eligibility requirements and contact persons.

Reimbursement Assistance Available from Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers

Abbott Laboratories	800-222-6885
AstraMerck, Inc.	800-355-6044
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Foundation	800-424-3727
Aventis’ Pasteur Pharmaceuticals	800-221-4025
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals	800-556-8317
Bristol-Myers Squibb	800-332-2056
Celgene Corp.	888-423-5436
Eli Lilly	800-545-6962
Forest Pharmaceuticals	800-851-0758
GlaxoSmithKline	866-728-4368
IVAX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	800-327-4114 x 4344
Janssen Pharmaceuticals	800-652-6227
Merck Pharmaceuticals	800-994-2111
Novartis Pharmaceuticals (short term)	800-257-3273
“             “       (long term)	800-277-2254
Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals	800-577-3788
Pfizer Inc.	800-707-8990
Roche Pharmaceuticals	800-285-4484
Wyeth Ayerst	800-568-9938

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL AND HOUSING SERVICES

 

Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service

5841 Corporate Way, Ste 200, West Palm Beach, FL  33407

561-238-0239

Providing information, referral, counseling, support groups, geriatric and child psychiatry; guardianship; case management, children services, residential services for adults with special needs and more.

Gulfstream Goodwill Industries

1715 Tiffany Drive East, West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

561-848-7200

Will help any consumer who is going back to work but does not want to lose entitlement (especially Medicaid).  Paula Giordano – Residential Programs 561-540-3862.

Jeff Industries, Inc.

115 East Coast Avenue

Hypoluxo, Fl 33462

Claudia Roberts, Executive Director

Fiscal/Administrative Offices 561-547-9258, Fax  561-547-9682

Program Offices 561-582-0650,  Fax 561-582-0692

E-Mail: helpjeffadm@msn.com

Dedicated to filling voids in services to chronically mentally ill adults and emotionally and severely emotionally handicapped children and adolescents. Provides an affirmative business/transitional employment program that offers vocational training in food services, provides job placement, job coaching and follow along services. Other services:  Adult Day Program; Vocational Work Center and AMIGOS Socialization Center. Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am – 4:30 pm

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

14600 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach, Fl 33484

561-637-7050  Service Area: Primarily southern Palm Beach County

Vocational Rehabilitation – Belle Glade

553 S.W. 16^th Street, Belle Glade, Fl 33430

561-992-1316    Service Area: Western Palm Beach County

Vocational Rehabilitation – Palm Beach Gardens

4362 Northlake Boulevard, Suite 117/201

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl 33410  Service Area: Northern Palm Beach County

Vocational Rehabilitation-West Palm Beach

3111 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, West Palm Beach, Fl 33405

561-650-6804   561-659-6814 TDD

Service Area primarily central Palm Beach County.  Assists individuals with disabilities who require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain employment. Service provided are done through Individualized Written Rehabilitation Programs based on individuals’ skills, abilities and priorities. Services may include vocational assessment, training, placement and many others as required to assist individuals into employment.

Palm Beach County Housing Authority

3432 w. 45^th Street, West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

561-684-2160

Barry Seaman, Executive Director

Monday-Friday / 8:30am – 5 pm   No fees charged

Eligibility: Non-emergency waiting list. Must provide verification of income.

Intake procedure: Contact by phone

Provides housing assistance for low to moderate income families, senior citizens and handicapped persons. Must provide verification of income.

Locations:

• Schall Circle: 3404 Schall Circle, WPB
• Seminole Circle: 6388 Seminole Circle, Lantana
• Dyson Circle: 4695 Dyson Circle, WPB

Palm Beach County Housing Partnership

2001 West Blue Heron, West Palm Beach, Fl 33404

561-841-3500

Supportive housing program assists people with mental illnesses who are ready to live independently in finding and maintaining decent, affordable housing.

Palm Haven House

115 East Coast Ave., Lake Worth, FL

561-582-0650

Located in Sixth Avenue North at N. Federal Highway in Lake Worth, Palm Haven House is home to ten consumers. The two houses were built primarily by a team of emotionally disturbed and mentally ill teenagers from the Ed Venture Charter School. Only the plumbing and electricity were installed by professionals. All the carpentry and cabinet work were done by teams of students supervised by a series of students.

The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc.

P.O. Box 7396, West Palm Beach, Fl 33405-7396

561-832-0011

Person in Charge: Rita Clark, Executive Director

Office Hours: Monday-Friday/ 9:00am-5:00pm

Eligibility: No restrictions

Service area: Palm Beach County   Does not provide direct service.

Attempts to identify, prevent and alleviate the conditions that cause individuals and families to become homeless in Palm Beach County by advocating for and promoting a level of assistance that will result in the self-sufficiency of those affected. Provides referrals for clients when necessary, information network for agencies only.

The Lord’s Place

2808 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

Jessica Stump, Program Coordinator

561-494-2811

www.thelordsplace.org

The Lord’s Place is dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness.  We assist homeless families and individuals through a variety of programs and services including interim housing, permanent housing, intensive case management, job training and numerous support services.

YOUR RIGHTS WHILE RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN FLORIDA

 

• Right of Individual Dignity
• Right to Treatment
• Right to Express and Informed Consent
• Right to Quality Treatment
• Right to Communication, Abuse Reporting and Visits
• Right to Care and Custody of Personal Effects
• Right to Vote in Public Elections
• Right to Ask for a Court Order
• Right to Education for Children
• Right to Designate Representatives
• Right to Participate in Treatment and Discharge Planning

You have the right to more detailed information about your rights. For more information, contact your district Human Rights Advocacy Committee (HRAC) or the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities at the following telephone numbers.

Human Rights Advocacy Committee

Toll free 1-800-342-0825

TTY/TDD callers please use the Florida relay system at 1-800-955-8771

Florida Abuse Hotline

Toll free 1-800-342-9152

TTY/TDD 1-800-453-5145

Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities

Toll free 1-800-342-0823

TTY/TDD 1-800-346-4127

 

 

 RECOMMENDED BOOKS

 

Some of these books are available  for checkout at NAMI/PBC’s library for members.

 

Adamee, Christine – HOW TO LIVE WITH A PERSON WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

Amador, Dr. Xavier – I AM NOT SICK, I DON’T NEED HELP

Backlar, Patricia – THE FAMILY FACE OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Berger, Diane and Lisa – WE HEARD THE ANGELS OF MADNESS

U.S. Government Printing Office – THE BIOLOGY OF MENTAL DISORDERS

Buchwald, Art – WHOSE ROSE GARDEN IS IT, ANYWAY?

Carter, Rosalynn with Golant, Susan K. – HELPING SOMEONE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

Coon, Dennis – INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

Copeland, Mary Ellen – LIVING WITHOUT DEPRESSION AND MANIC DEPRESSION

Correll, Chip – OVERCOMING OCD AND SCHIZOPHRENIA WITH GOD IN MY LIFE

Crider, Goethals, etc. – PSYCHOLOGY

Cronkite, Kathy – ON THE EDGE OF DARKNESS

Davis, Stephen & Palladine, Joseph – PSYCHOLOGY

Dean Foundation for Health – LITHIUM AND MANIC DEPRESSION

Deveson, Anne – TELL ME I’M HERE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS

Dickens, RM & Marsh – ANGUISHED VOICES

Duke, Patti and Hochman, Gloria – A BRILLIANT MADNESS

Duke, Patti and Turan Kenneth – CALL ME ANNA

Early, Peter – CRAZY

Fieve, Dr. Ronald – PROZAC – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Francis and First MD – YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Gorman, Jack – THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS

Gottesman, Irving – SCHIZOPHRENIA GENESIS

Griffith, Dr. H. Winter – COMPLETE GUIDE TO PRESCRIPTION AND NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Grob, Gerald – THE MAD AMONG US

Hatfield, Agnes – SURVIVING MENTAL ILLNESS, STRESS, COPING AND ADAPTION

Heston, Leonard, M.D. – MENDING MINDS: A GUIDE TO TODAY’S PSYCHIATRY

Jamison, Kay Redfield – THE UNQUIET MIND: A MEMOIR OF MOODS AND MADNESS

Keefe, RS & Harvery, P.D. – UNDERSTANDING SCHIZOPHRENIA: A GUIDE TO THE NEW RESEARCH AND TREATMENT

Kennedy, Peggy – APPROACHING NEVERLAND: A MEMOIR OF EPIC
CHALLENGE & HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Klein, Donald & Wender, Paul – UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ITS DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT

Levine, Helen – THE BUTTERFLY ON MY SHOULDER: A GRIEF JOURNEY OF LOVE AND GROWTH TO INSPIRE HEALING

Moorman, Margaret – MY SISTERS KEEPER: LEARNING TO COPE WITH A SIBLING’S MENTAL ILLNESS

Meuser, Kim & Gingerich, Susan – COPING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA : A GUIDE FOR FAMILIES

Papolos, Demitri & Papolos, Janice – OVERCOMING DEPRESSION

Peschel, Enid, et al. – NEUROBIOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Real, Terrence – I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT

Ross, Jerlyn – TRIUMPH OVER FEAR

Russell, L. Mark – PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: PROVIDING A MEANINGFUL LIFE FOR A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY AFTER YOUR DEATH

Schiller, Lori and Bennett, Amanda – THE QUIET ROOM

Sebastian, Richard – COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR

Simon, Clea – MAD HOUSE

Stapleton, Christine – HOPING FOR A HAPPY ENDING:  A JOURNALIST’S STORY OF DEPRESSION BIPOLAR AND ALCOHOLISM

Steel, Danielle – HIS BRIGHT LIGHT

Styron, William – DARKNESS VISIBLE

Torrey, E. Fuller – SURVIVING SCHIZOPHRENIA

Torrey, E. Fuller – SCHIZOPHRENIA AND MANIC DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Wasow, Mona – THE SKIPPING STONE: RIPPLE EFFECT OF MENTAL ILLNESS ON THE FAMILY

Waterhouse, Pastor Steven – STRENGTH FOR HIS PEOPLE

Weiden, Scheifler, Diamond and Ross – BREAKTHROUGH IN ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDICATIONS

Wender, Paul – THE HYPERACTIVE CHILD, ADOLSCENT AND ADULT:  ATTENTION DISORDER THROUGH THE LIFESPAN

Wooler, Rebecca – WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE HAS A MENTAL ILLNESS: A HANDBOOK FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND CAREGIVERS

Wrobleski, Adina – SUICIDE: WHY?