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Thriving Mind South Florida’s President CEO, John W. Newcomer, M.D., would like to express his deepest condolences on behalf of our Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff to Mr. Publio M. Santana’s family and friends.

Mr. Santana died last week. He was one of the very first employees of Fellowship House, a Thriving Mind provider and an original Thriving Mind Board Member.

Mr. Santana started working at Fellowship House in 1974 and became the Executive Director in 1994. After his retirement in 2014 as President and CEO, he served on the organization’s Board of Directors.

“Mr. Santana was an early adopter of the Florida model for mental health treatment, which is now a nationally competitive model for the uninsured,” Dr. Newcomer said.

Mr. Santana dedicated his professional career to Fellowship House.  He navigated countless changes in mental health funding and expertly ensured the agency’s ability to continue its mission of serving our members.

Thousands of people experiencing mental illness had access to care because of his vision, persistence, and his profound belief in the work Fellowship House does.

“Publio also believed in our staff. He established a culture of promoting from within. He encouraged education, personal growth and trying work you may not have considered before. He had a hand in so many careers. You would be hard-pressed to find any local stakeholder in behavioral health without at least one employee who got their start at Fellowship House,” according to a statement Fellowship House posted on its social media.

Mr. Santana liked to call Fellowship House the “best Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center on planet Earth.”

Next year, Fellowship House will celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

“Our success, growth and longevity are owed in a big part to him. He will be missed,” the statement said.

 

Publio Santana
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Knowing the risk factors can make us more aware an Knowing the risk factors can make us more aware and help stop a crisis. These risk factors don't mean someone is having suicidal thoughts, but it is important to have a conversation with the person. #RecognizeTheRisk 
Click here for help: https://thrivingmind.org/crisis-support
Studies have found that regular consumption of dar Studies have found that regular consumption of dark chocolate significantly lowers the odds of clinically relevant depressive symptoms. In a cross-sectional survey of over 13,000 US adults, people who ate dark chocolate in the past 24 hours were 70% less likely to report depression. It doesn’t take much to achieve these positive effects – the dark chocolate consumers in the study ate a little less than half an ounce. To maximize the health benefits, try eating dark chocolate made of 70% cocoa or more. This minimizes your calorie and sugar intake. #FunFridayFact #MentalHealth
Happy Fourth of July from Thriving Mind! Happy Fourth of July from Thriving Mind!
Resources for youth. For help: https://thrivingmi Resources for youth. For help:  https://thrivingmind.org/csoc 
Recursos para jóvenes. Para obtener ayuda: https://thrivingmind.org/csoc
We work to ensure that those affected by mental il We work to ensure that those affected by mental illness and substance use disorders in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties can access effective and compassionate services that lead to recovery.
Click here for more info: https://thrivingmind.org/get-help/mental-health
On Saturday, Thriving Mind’s Alisa Surenskaya an On Saturday, Thriving Mind’s Alisa Surenskaya and Esther Serrano attended Citrus Family Care Network’s Reunification Celebration Honoring Parents at Jungle Island. This was part of the month-long Celebration of Reunification & Families called The Power of Parents: Stronger Together.
On Saturday, Thriving Mind’s Alisa Surenskaya an On Saturday, Thriving Mind’s Alisa Surenskaya and Esther Serrano attended Citrus Family Care Network’s Reunification Celebration Honoring Parents at Jungle Island. This was part of the month-long Celebration of Reunification & Families called The Power of Parents: Stronger Together.
With support from the Department of Children and F With support from the Department of Children and Families, Thriving Mind has transformed our regional Crisis Response System, establishing a Mobile Response Team network, funding call centers like the 988 crisis line for our region, and expanding Crisis Stabilization Unit capacity in our network. These services are managed by Thriving Mind, operated by its providers, and offered to the community regardless of income or insurance status.
Click here for more info: https://thrivingmind.org/crisis-support
Celebrating Resilience and Recovery at Jessie Tric Celebrating Resilience and Recovery at Jessie Trice Community Health Center

Last week, Jessie Trice Community Health Center, one of Thriving Mind’s valued providers, hosted a heartfelt graduation ceremony honoring the women who completed the “Jefferson Reaves House” Women’s Residential Program. The event marked a significant milestone for each of the graduates, whose journeys of recovery were celebrated with pride, joy, and moving expressions of hope for the future.

Derek Moore, Peer Services Manager at Thriving Mind, was in attendance to support and recognize the achievements of these inspiring women. The room was filled with emotion as the graduates were showered with well wishes and encouragement, symbolizing not just the end of a program, but the beginning of a renewed chapter.

A special acknowledgment goes to Mr. Assan Njie, BSW, CAC, Director of Residential Services, whose unwavering leadership and compassion continue to guide and uplift each graduating cohort. As Mr. Njie beautifully shared during the ceremony, “This is not a treatment center, it is a home.”

This celebration is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion, community, and determination come together.
During a mental health crisis, one phone call can During a mental health crisis, one phone call can make a difference. Get connected and #StayConnected to mental health resources by calling or texting 988. Learn more by visiting 988FloridaLifeline.com. Click here for resources: https://thrivingmind.org/crisis-support
Get it out of your head and onto paper! Studies ha Get it out of your head and onto paper! Studies have found expressive writing to be a useful therapeutic tool for survivors of trauma and in psychiatric settings. Journaling can boost your mood, enhance your sense of well being and reduce symptoms of depression. Click here for resources: www.thrivingmind.org
Validation matters.Give youth the opportunity to s Validation matters.Give youth the opportunity to share motivation without judgment. Click here for help: https://thrivingmind.org/csoc

La validación es importante. Démosle a los jóvenes la oportunidad de compartir sus motivaciones sin juzgarlos. Haga clic aquí: https://thrivingmind.org/csoc
Peer support workers are people who have been succ Peer support workers are people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process. Click here for help: https://thrivingmind.org/initiatives/peer-support-services
Everyone can feel “blue” on occasion. Whether Everyone can feel “blue” on occasion. Whether it is the result of the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or the ending of a relationship; feelings of sadness or grief in response to these situations is perfectly normal. Depression, however, is more than just sadness. Click here for help: https://thrivingmind.org/get-help/mental-health
Talking about suicide is the first step in prevent Talking about suicide is the first step in preventing it. By challenging misconceptions and stopping the stigma around mental health, we can have conversations that lead to recovery for those who are struggling. Click here for help: https://thrivingmind.org/crisis-support
Studies have found that pet owners are less likely Studies have found that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets and playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax. Click here for help: https://thrivingmind.org/
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Thriving Mind | South Florida promotes access to e Thriving Mind | South Florida promotes access to effective, accountable and compassionate care for people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. We fund and oversee a safety net of services for uninsured individuals in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties with support from the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, and other public and private sources. Click here for help: www.thrivingmind.org
Something to look out for when concerned that a pe Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. These signs are of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do. Pay attention and listen. Click here for help: https://thrivingmind.org/crisis-support
Take these daily actions to care for your mental h Take these daily actions to care for your mental health, and with the 988 Florida Lifeline, get your health back on track. Click here for resources: https://thrivingmind.org/crisis-support
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