Breaking Down Mental Health Barriers

For over 40 years, Adopt-A-Family has served the Palm Beach County community by ending and preventing thousands of episodes of homelessness for families with minor children.

These households often endure traumas and stresses that lead to disproportionately high rates of mental illness.

Unfortunately, due to difficult circumstances, many are not able to access mental health care.

“Mounting bills, a lack of reliable transportation, and the absence of health insurance serve as major obstacles to receiving mental health treatment. Appointments are usually only available during regular business hours, which is a problem for low-wage earners who don’t get paid if they don’t work,” says Adopt-A-Family’s CEO Matt Constantine.

“Some clients simply aren’t aware of the many benefits that accompany therapeutic services – and how much their mental health contributes to the ability to maintain a stable family home.”

To bridge that gap, Adopt-A-Family offers free, flexible, on-site mental health services run by a therapist who clients see as a part of their support system rather than outsiders. Parents can gain coping skills to heal from past traumas and create a more stable environment for their families, which includes remaining securely housed.

“Of our adult clients who have attended at least three therapy sessions, 94% have remained housed, and 90% felt their mental health had improved,” says Constantine.

Adopt-A-Family proudly employs a licensed clinical social worker trained to address the unique challenges faced by families who have lived with trauma, housing instability, and homelessness.

The model creates an accepted, community wide mental health support system for clients of all ages.

For the children served by the agency, access to mental health services can be critical to their ability to overcome the academic and emotional setbacks that result from homelessness.

The organization’s afterschool program, Project Grow, helps instill a sense of stability in elementary school children through one-on-one tutoring, parental engagement and access to group and individual therapy.

Adopt-A-Family offers free, flexible, on-site mental health services run by a therapist who clients see as a part of their support system.

From there, Project Grow students can join the organization’s Youth Success Program, which provides homework help, field trips and college and career guidance.

“We just celebrated the graduation of four of our high school students, and they are all continuing their education next year – three in college and one in the trades. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to cheering them on as they pursue their goals in the years ahead,” says Constantine.

To learn more about Adopt-A-Family, visit aafpbc.org .

ADOPT-A-FAMILY OF THE PALM BEACHES / COURTESY PHOTOS

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