Astraea Hub spoke with Jessica Lawson, Director of Community Relations at Peace River Center, to learn about the organization’s services for teenagers, ways young people can get involved and the importance of supporting mental wellness in our community.
JESSICA LAWSON
Director of Community Relations
Peace River Center
PEACE RIVER CENTER
 If a teenager is struggling, how can they safely reach out to Peace River Center?
I would say they could give Peace River Center's crisis line a call. Like I said, that's available 24 hours a day. If it's less of a crisis situation and more of they just need someone to talk to, maybe outpatient therapy, they can call our access number or appointment line, which is 863-248-3311. Or again, go online. We have all of the forms to get started on the Get Started feature of our website, peacrivercenter.org. And they can try to connect with someone who is specializing, like maybe they're having anxiety, or maybe they're feeling depressed. You know, they can connect with someone who is within that specialty area.
What resources and services do you offer specifically for teenagers?
 So the first I really wanna highlight is our 24-hour emotional support and crisis line, so that's available by calling 863-519-3744.
Â
There's also a text option that you can find, and you can also go on our website, peacrivercenter.org, and there's a chat feature. So that one is available 24/7. Anytime you might be stressed out, whether it's taking a test or, you know, something has happened at school that you're not feeling comfortable with, you can call and talk to our professionals for free.
Â
Then we also have some programs within our children's, children's resiliency, as well as behavioral health services for kids. And then we also offer regular outpatient therapy for young people as well, so children and young adults. We also have a very special program called On Track that really equips individuals who maybe have experienced something like that other people aren't, and it, it gives them the tools to stay on track with their career goals or their relationship goals. We've had quite a few. One candidate we interviewed recently earned her X-ray technician certification and then went on to obtain her ultrasound technician certification.
What would you consider Peace River Center’s mission to be?
Our Mission is to engage, restore, and empower individuals in our community to reach their fullest potential.
INSIDE THE CONVERSATION
 What messages of encouragement would you like to share with teens in Polk County?
I would say that you always hear that it's okay to not be okay, and I agree with that, but it doesn't stop there. You should never be sad for too long of a period, or you should never be anxious for too long of a period. Like, that's where help comes in. That's where the crisis line or talking to a guidance counselor.
So it's definitely mental health. Everyone has it, right? And some people have good mental health days, some people have bad mental health days, and some people are faced with mental illness, which needs to be addressed through therapy or medication management. So all of it is very normal to experience, but I would say don't let it stop you there.
Like, make sure that you're getting the help that you need, and that if you notice a friend is not quite how they normally seem, maybe ask them and how you can support them. So that would be my best advice.
 What advice would you give teenagers interested in careers in mental health or community service?
Please do! We have an extreme shortage right now, um, so the pipeline of providers is not catching up with the need. A lot of times when mental health has been destigmatized, people are more willing to get help for their mental health, which is amazing, but we just don't have enough case managers, therapists, social workers to actually keep up with need. So I would say please do pursue that career, um, and please stay locally. We have four local colleges that actually offer, you know, tracks within the field, and even Florida Southern has a psychiatric nurse program now too, which is kind of a specialty. So it would be more, um, focused on inpatient help of individuals, getting them stabilized. So definitely please do. It's a wonderful career. Um, you know, being able to work with people and seeing them through their recovery journey, I think a lot of teenagers going into careers would find that very rewarding.
NEED HELP? KNOW WHO TO CALL.
Peace River Center offers confidential support, crisis services, counseling, and resources for youth, adults, and families.
Mental Health / Emotional Crisis: 863-519-3744
Prefer to Text? Text TALK to 863-204-3443
Domestic or Dating Violence: 863-413-2700
Sexual Assault Support: 863-413-2707
Therapy & Mental Health Appointments: 863-248-3311