The Jacksonville-based nonprofit helps identify crises
When Vernalee Smith’s schizophrenia began to overtake her daughter at age 18, she wished she knew what was going on.
20 years later, Smith completed an online course in Jacksonville’s Youth Mental Health Training. She is now free from symptoms of mental health issues and is able to help others.
“Being the mother of a … who was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 18 to 19 years old, it really resonated with me,” said the Hartford, Conn., resident. “If I had taken this training earlier, I would have known all the signs. So this training is very important for young and old parents to help them look for mental changes in their loved ones.”
Smith is among 1,100 or more people who have completed one of three free training courses offered online and in person. Communicable communitiesA 2-year youth mental health initiative developed by CEOs of five Northeast Florida behavioral health organizations.
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Justin Bradshaw, who joined the Talkable Communities team in 2021 to provide marketing support and became a director in 2022, caught his attention from the start.
“Everything about the project is unique – everything from the history of the founders, the partnership model, to reduce suicide and increase mental well-being, and even the name,” he said. “Everything seemed to work so well together. I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the work. Everyone should have access to a tool to help a loved one or someone in need.”
The founders, gift and brainstorm
CEOs of five behavioral health care nonprofits – Patty Greenough of EPIC Behavioral Health Care In St. Johns County, Teresa Rulin of Children’s guidance center In Jacksonville, Lauren Pagel Starting Point Behavioral Health Care in Nassau County Irene Toto Clay Behavioral Health Center of Clay County and Candace Hodgkins of Gateway-recovery measures In Jacksonville—they met regularly to collaborate on improving their programs.
“Like any relationship, ours has evolved over time,” Toto said. “We knew each other as colleagues in similar roles and started meeting to communicate, share ideas and offer support. We started some lunch meetings and realized we had something in common.”
They call themselves “G”, just like girls.
“The relationships I’ve made with other G’s mean a lot to me,” Toto said. “Having trusted team members with whom to share concerns, offer new ideas, express doubts, share frustrations and celebrate successes is rare and invaluable to me.
During one of their brainstorming sessions, two of the CEOs mentioned that they might need help from the Florida Blue Foundation. The group decided to have another collaboration.
“True partnership choices were discussed and it was decided who would take the lead and invite others to participate,” Rulin said.
She says that the idea of conversational communities is derived from the existing one. Walkable communities A concept established in Florida in 1996 to make cities, towns and neighborhoods more pedestrian-friendly.
“It’s our belief that mental health should be as much a part of health care as physical health,” Rulien said. “Walking communities understand that walking is about creating safe spaces for physical health. Talking communities are about creating safe spaces for mental health. Instead of walking for your health, this focus is on talking about your health. The benefits of the training and conversations that occur in the talking community are this information and It’s about passing on awareness to the next generation.”
Googled the term “speaking communities” and found nothing. After setting up a website and a liability company, Pagel said, “Boom! Now it was ours.”
The focus on youth stems from “a sincere concern for the health and well-being of young people in our communities,” Toto said.
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According to recent federal funding Youth Risk Behavior SurveyAmong Duval County middle school students, 34% had “seriously considered” suicide, nearly 25% had “planned” to do so, and 17% had attempted suicide.
Among high school students surveyed, 26% have considered suicide seriously, 21% have planned it, and 17% have attempted it, according to a 2021 survey.
“We knew we wanted to reduce stigma and bring behavioral health concerns to the forefront,” Toto said. “We recognized the reality of youth suicide rates…and decided we could give adults the tools to help young people talk about what’s on their hearts. We’re excited to work together to expand the reach of the project.”
The goal, said Rulien, “was to encourage community members to work together for the health of all. Humans normally care about each other, so it is to give the necessary tools so that we can all talk about it.”
Courses designed for the target audience
Talkable Communities has invested $400,000 over four years in the Florida Blue Foundation and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, each with the Legislature providing $400,000 in 2021 and $550,000 in 2022.
Here are the courses.
Youth mental health first aid This course is for adults who live or work with youth, such as family members, caregivers, neighbors, teachers and school staff, camp counselors, coaches, and pastors. That’s what attracted Smith, who found Talkable Communities on Eventbrite, an event management and ticketing website.
She learned how to identify, understand and respond to youth ages 6 to 18 who are experiencing mental health and substance abuse problems. She learned a five-step action plan to help them. “Are you thinking of ending your life?” She realized it was okay to ask.
The training “has equipped me with more tools to help the people I serve in my community,” said the 60-year-old administrative assistant. “It means a lot to me personally because I help save lives and impact God’s people on earth one person at a time.”
Question, persuade, refer QPR teaches participants to recognize the signs of a suicidal crisis. It also teaches a suicidal person how to “ask, persuade and refer” for help. “QPR teaches common suicidal behaviors and how to intervene and help someone in crisis,” the website reports. “The more we train… the more lives we can save.”
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It’s time to talk about it. This is to educate anyone who interacts with youth and can recognize the warning signs and dangers of youth suicide. According to the website, participants will learn how to talk to young people about suicide “to provide support and help create a safety net for them”.
So far, the overall results have been “exciting,” Bradshaw said.
This year, QPR participants showed a 95% increase in knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risks of suicide; Youth Mental Health First Aid participants showed a 79% reduction in stigma related to mental illness and addiction; And they said that students who graduated from Talk to Talk showed a 68% increase in knowledge.
“These numbers are huge because they tell us that our community has gained something from these courses,” he said. Our hope is that they will use that knowledge to help someone in need.
Bradshaw said he hopes about 2,400 more people will take the courses by 2023.
“My desire and purpose … is to make sure we can be here for anyone who needs us,” he said. “This is a personal part for me. Everyone should have access to tools to help a loved one or someone in need.”
What’s next?
The future of speaking communities is not just about accessibility, but community acceptance of mental health issues and reducing stigma, Rulien said.
“The ability to reach people all over the world with positive information to encourage life-saving communication without fear is exactly what this world needs,” she said. “Knowing that mental health is not ‘their’ issue. We all experience these feelings and deal with some mental ‘illness’ at some point in our lives.”
Feedback has been “generally positive,” Toto said.
“I’m very proud of what’s been accomplished … the reach has been amazing,” she said. “People are talking about talking communities and the timing couldn’t be better as young people are facing critical issues… The importance of safe, broad opportunities for young people and everyone to speak up about mental health issues is increasing. That’s why.
bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109
Sustainable communities
To register for the course or for more information, go to talkablecommunities.orgcall (770) 316-2119 or email info@talkablecommunities.or
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