News and Events
EVENTS
Emotional Wellness During the Holidays
December 10, 2020 – 10:00 a.m.
Join Palm Point & the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force for a meaningful conversation with community experts about making lasting family connections during the holidays.
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Space Coast Behavioral Health Network December Virtual Meeting
December 10, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.
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Continuing Education Event: Seasons Greetings: Managing Holiday Stress and Grief During the Covid-19 Pandemic
December 17, 2020 – 10:00 a.m.
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NEWS
Palm Point Behavioral Health Celebrates Two Year Anniversary
This winter may be especially challenging for those struggling with a mental health or substance use issue
Additional factors to consider:
Isolation can exacerbate stress
The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful. Social distancing can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. The colder weather also reduces opportunities for outside social gatherings that have been a respite for many over the last several months.
Shorter days and less sunlight can worsen depression
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects approximately 10 million Americans each year and commonly arrives with the onset of winter. The main treatment options include light therapy (replacing natural light with artificial light), antidepressants and talk therapy.
– National Institutes of Health
To counteract these challenges, find healthy ways to cope with stress:
Take care of your emotional health, so you can attend to your and your family’s needs.
Take care of your physical health:
- Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drug use.
- Do activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust.
Connect with your community. Meet online or by phone if you can’t meet in person.
Know where and how to get treatment and other support services, including counseling or therapy.
- Centers for Disease Control
For some, the holiday season produces triggers with the pressure to conform to social and familial obligations, increased availability of alcohol, and more interactions with family and friends.
To help stay focused on recovery, individuals can:
- Be aware that special days may be difficult – recognize that your feelings are normal will help.
- Be gentle with yourself – show yourself the same kindness and patience you would give to others during this time.
- Participate in activities that you enjoy.
- Draw on your faith – spirituality can be a source of strength and comfort
- Accept kindness and help from others.
- Help others – volunteering is a healthy way to heal
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
If you know someone who is struggling, we are here for you or a loved one with no-cost assessments available 24/7. Call us at 321-603-6550.
October is Bullying Prevention Month
Even with many schools operating virtually this year, opportunities for bullying still exist. Cyberbullying is not new, but the increase of online activities may cause an uptick in its prevalence.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is purposefully using technology to hurt someone emotionally.
What factors are involved? Due to COVID-19:
• Youth may be spending more time online for school and connecting with friends.
• Many kids are still adjusting to the virtual environment.
• Isolation can increase their anxiety, anger, fear or stress.
Statistics show:
• One in every five students reports being bullied during the school year.
• Bullying can have serious negative effects on youth such as lower self-esteem, increased depression and school avoidance.
• Victims of childhood bullying have a higher risk of developing mental health problems later in life.
How to help?
Children and teens may need to be online for school and to connect with friends and family, but teachers and parents should make sure they feel safe and respected online and that they know what to do if they experience or witness cyberbullying.
If you know a child or teen who needs assistance, we are here with specialized behavioral health programs tailored to their needs. Call us today at 321-603-6550 for a no-cost assessment.
National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. For more information, visit stopbullying.gov or pacer.org.
September 3, 2020
University Behavioral Center and Palm Point Behavioral Center Join Together on International Friendship Day
New Poll: 68% of Americans View COVID-19 as a Severe or Extreme Crisis; Survey Results Cite Leading Sources of Induced Stress, Anxiety, Depression
Survey set out to gain insight into Americans’ level of stress, anxiety and depression since the COVID-19 outbreak, the resources they are using or willing to use to manage these negative feelings, and their outlook for the future.
Titusville, Florida – August 18, 2020 — Palm Point Behavioral Health shares today the results of a new poll fielded by parent company Universal Health Services, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services. The national survey was commissioned to assess and quantify Americans’ views and perceptions on mental health amidst COVID-19. As of May 20 (end of survey fielding), the COVID-19 Dashboard at Johns Hopkins University reported the U.S. had:
- 1,539,633 confirmed cases of COVID-19
- 92,645 deaths due to the disease
- 289,392 recovered patients
- 12,233,987 million total test results
Major findings of the UHS survey include:
- 68% of American adultssurveyed view COVID-19 as a severe or extreme crisis in the U.S.
- 62% of survey participantsreport increased stress, anxiety or depression. Of those feeling COVID-related stress, anxiety or depression, 55% report these stressors are interfering moderately, severely or overwhelmingly in their lives.
- Nearly 25% feel COVID-related stress, anxiety and/or depression most or all of the time.
- Concerns about the economy, unknown duration of COVID-19 effects, no ‘normalcy’ in near future, isolation from friends/family and risk of virus exposure are theleading sources of stress, anxiety and depression.
- 1 in 4 surveyed are unclear what action to take if they had a mental health crisis.
- Of those with COVID-related anxiety, stress or depression, most are self-managing these negative feelings; only 15% used online tools and/or sought help from a licensed counselor/therapist.
- Fear of virus exposure was the key barrier to mental health treatment during this time, followed by cost of co-pay and negative perception of telehealth.
- Telehealth: About half of Adults surveyed used Telehealth to treat a mental or physical condition, most of whom had a positive experience.
- Nearly half of Americans expect to regain ‘normalcy’ within a few months; more than 90% are at least somewhat hopeful of their home life in the future
Link to multimedia news release:
“The results of this survey reveal numerous valuable insights into the impact COVID-19 is having on the mental health of Americans, as well as the tools being used to manage the effects,” said Matt Peterson, Executive Vice President, UHS, and President, Behavioral Health Division. “Specifically, our data indicate that few Americans are utilizing the online tools that offer coping strategies or are seeking help from professionals to manage COVID-related stressors. However, it is promising that the majority of Americans surveyed who have used telehealth had a positive experience. Barriers to care – particularly for mental health – still exist and must be addressed. Research studies in this area will give us a better understanding of how to better support the citizens of our country to be resilient during this current pandemic as well as future challenges.”
Methodology
This survey was fielded on behalf of UHS by Dynata from May 14-May 20, 2020, using a web-based survey instrument from a demographically representative sample of 1,097 U.S. adults, authenticated to allow one user to complete per IP address. Survey methodology was vetted and approved by Dynata to ensure data and outcomes were considered valid according to research industry norms and practices.
Help is Available Now
We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide a no-cost mental health assessment for you or your loved one. Call us at 321-603-6550 or visit our facility to get started. For questions about our programs, call us or use our online contact form. In the case of a medical emergency or crisis, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.