Operation PAR & Pinellas Park Medical District Showcase a Panel Discussion on Alternative Therapy

2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 15^th  

Pinellas, FL – Have you ever wondered about alternative forms of treatment– like Yoga, eServices (effective intervention and counseling services from anywhere in the world via web-based education and/or telephone screening and counseling), acupuncture or meditation? Have you ever needed a question answered or someone to talk with you over a concern involving substance abuse, mental health or both?  Are you concerned about the affordability of such services or access to trusted providers that have qualified experience? Operation PAR joins the Pinellas Park Medical District to sponsor a roundtable forum of experts to heighten community awareness regarding these issues in hopes of enhancing the quality of life for Pinellas families.

Operation PAR has served the community for 43 years and is known as one of Florida’s most sophisticated behavioral healthcare providers in Florida. Operation PAR and the Pinellas Park Medical District share a desire to promote health and wellness resources countywide. Knowledge of these alternative therapies is a powerful tool to connect resources to those in need.  Operation PAR’s Access Center is a central point of access for individuals seeking services or information about substance abuse and mental health services. Access Center Counselors provide callers who are in need of services a phone screening to determine their needs. The Access Center handled more than 26,314 calls for Operation PAR during 2012 . An additional 52,941 calls were handled for other agencies during that same time period.

Alternative therapy, like eServices (on-line web-based support, telephone counseling) such as yoga, meditative drumming, utilizing exercise and nutrition for health, and acupuncture have great benefits. It can improve creative thinking, increase energy, reduce stress levels and more. It is something not taught in our typical education system, therefore, it’s instruction is usually sought out independently and as adults. However, alternative therapy can be a tool for everyday life and one that can be incorporated into our regular routines to make for a more fulfilling and healthier lifestyle.

“Operation PAR’s eServices are highly effective and are used for enhancements to the system of care.  Additionally, other alternative treatments, like meditation for example, can be used as a prevention and recovery support tool.  These type of alternative therapies are especially effective when used in conjunction with treatment. For those who are not in treatment, these tools can be used as an overall prevention strategy and coping mechanism to relieve stress.” says Nancy Hamilton, President and CEO of Operation PAR, Inc. “We have decided to come together and give everyone in our community and beyond the opportunity to learn more and enjoy the benefits. In some cases, this might be their first time being exposed to this topic.”

“Essentially, alternative methods for treatment and dealing with life, from my perspective and experience, is ultimately about releasing victim-hood and mastering the mind,” says Joel Jadus, expert in meditation, yoga and drumming. “It’s about self-empowerment and the responsibility that comes with power. I wish I had this type of tool when I was young. Meditation practice is an entirely effective tool to let go of habitual, negative, limiting and destructive thought patterns – and to achieve a greater sense of peace and freedom. Thus, it enables people to more often see and act from the space of clarity and balance. It provides an opportunity to make clear and responsible decisions that simultaneously serve one’s best interest and the greater good of the whole community.. and the entire world.”

Who: Operation PAR and the Pinellas Park Medical District

What: Encourages community to attend an expert panel discussion to hear about alternative forms of treatment and how to access these services

Where: Operation PAR, Inc. Beverly and C.W. Bill Young Center for Research and Recovery, third-floor Large Training Room, 13800 66^th Street North, Largo, FL 33771

When: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2013

Why: Alternative therapy provides a number of health benefits and is a great tool to use for stress reduction, treatment retention, recovery, continuing care for addiction and co-occurring disorders and more.

How: Operation PAR and the Pinellas Park Medical District host a panel discussion with questions, answers and demonstrations

The LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County is facilitating this event.

The panel experts include:

• Wendy Danicourt, Access, Managed Dare, eServices Director, Veteran Liaison & Evidence-Based Trainer at Operation PAR (http://www.operationpar.org)
• Joel Jadus, meditation, yoga and drumming expert with Enter the Sun (http://enterthesun.com/)
• Dr. Kevin Lee, Gulf Coast Rehab & Wellness Center (http://www.gulfcoastrehab.us/)