brandstar.com/events/golfclassic/

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB)
September 25, 2019

BrandStar, the Deerfield Beach based TV producers of popular television properties that air on Lifetime, Fox Business and Bloomberg International, has been offering hope and a helping hand on the home front to members of our military and their loved ones through its award winning show, Military Makeover with Montel Williams. In conjunction with BrandStar CARES, the philanthropic arm of the company, they are proud to announce the Inaugural Montel Williams Military Makeover Celebrity Golf Classic & Gala. Hosted by Military Veteran and TV personality Montel Williams, other guests will include a variety of top entertainment, sports and media celebrities. This event will benefit Military Makeover families and our non-profit partners.

“BrandStar CARES is honored to host this inaugural event with Montel Williams to support our Military Makeover families and deserving local charities who are focused on mental health awareness and critical solutions.” – Mark Alfieri, Founder and CEO, BrandStar

“It’s an honor to team up with BrandStar to raise money for our military makeover families and for deserving charities. I’ve often said that when I “left” the military I never really took my uniform off and Military Makeover has provided me a powerful platform to continue my advocacy on behalf of military and veteran families and do what I can to make life better for some very deserving families.”- Montel Williams, Host and Co-Executive Producer

The two local beneficiaries of this event are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, ThankYouFirstResponder.org (TYFRO.org) and Parkland Cares. TYRFO.org raises awareness and support for our nation’s first responders through mental health first aid training. Parkland Cares was launched by the Chairman and President of Debt.com who are local Parkland businessmen. Howard Dvorkin CPA and Don Silvestri formed the organization the day after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School. Parkland Cares provides immediate and long-term funding and awareness for mental health counseling for the shooting survivors, their families and the community. BrandStar CARES is proud to support these local non-profits that seek to positively impact the South Florida community.

BrandStar also recently announced Debra Hixon as the recipient of a complete home makeover right here in South Florida on the national TV show Military Makeover. Debra is the wife of the late Chris Hixon, Athletic Director and Wrestling Coach at MSD High School, and 27 year U.S. Navy Veteran. The Hixon makeover will debut on February 14, 2020.

Montel Williams Military Makeover Celebrity Golf Classic & Gala

Sunday, November 17 & Monday, November 18

Parkland Golf & Country Club

10001 Old Club Road, Parkland, FL 33076

For more info on participation and sponsorships, please email: cfoster@brandstar.com

About BrandStar: We’re matchmakers; connecting People to Brands to Do Life Better. BrandStar has unparalleled experience in creating customized educational content for brands with laser targeted extensive distribution through their multi-channel network ecosystem and methodology. From Original television programming on Lifetime, BrandStar.tv, social media, digital marketing, to media management and PR; BrandStar helps brands connect with the right consumer, at the right time, with the right message, through all the right channels.

About BrandStar CARES: Founded in 2018 by BrandStar, BrandStar Cares supports local non-profits that seek to impact their South Florida community. Through awareness, events, fundraising and strategic initiatives BrandStar CARES is dedicated to: Community, Action, Responsibility, Empathy, and Service!

Military Makeover with Montel®, A BrandStar Original, is America’s Leading Branded Reality TV Show that offers hope and a helping hand here on the home front to members of our military and their loved ones. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Navy, talk show legend and military advocate Montel Williams, who creatively co-produces the show along with a colorful cast that seeks to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The cast includes co-host Art Edmond, designer Jennifer Bertrand and contractor Ryan Stanley. This special series enlists caring companies of all sizes as well as non-profits and the local community. Help starts at home for veterans on Military Makeover. Join us as our makeover team engages to change the living situation – and the lives – of these deserving families.

About Thank You First Responder: TYFRO is a grassroots, 501(c)3 effort whose purpose is to raise awareness, support, celebrate, honor and most importantly create a “Culture of Thank You” for all of our Nation’s First Responders for the difficult job they do every day by putting their lives on the line to protect and enhance our country and way of life. TYFRO supports the creation of a National Day of Recognition by the U.S. Congress and partners with MentalHealthFirstAid.org to offer Mental Health First Aid training. For more information please visit ThankYouFirstResponder.org.

About Parkland Cares: Parkland Cares is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its mission is to provide immediate and long-term funding and awareness for mental health counseling for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting survivors, their families and the community-at-large. ParklandCares.org is a centralized resource for people who need help to get connected with community service providers who can help with crisis counseling, intervention services, short and long-term therapy, trauma counseling and more by calling 954-740-MSD1 (6731) or visit https://parklandcares.org.

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“Our data validates that high-achieving students struggle, too. It is important for faculty and advisors to keep overachievers on their radar throughout the academic year.”

WASHINGTON (PRWEB)
September 24, 2019

Key findings from a recent survey by Active Minds and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) of 9,319 academically high-achieving college students nationwide illustrate the unique needs of these students, and how their universities can better support their mental health while on campus. This comes at a time when depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are on the rise among college students, according to the national Healthy Minds Study and National College Health Assessment (NCHA).

The vast majority (91%) of students surveyed, all of whom maintain grade point averages of 3.4 or above at U.S. colleges and universities, felt overwhelmed by all they had to do in the last year – higher than the national average at 87%, according to the NCHA. Despite achieving a high grade point average, two out of three respondents experienced a need for mental health services in the last year.

While dealing with significant challenges, high-achieving students also have positive attitudes about mental health services and are likely to seek help. In fact, 73% of respondents have sought help from someone in the last 12 months.

However, hurdles still remain: 46% of respondents believe that most people think less of a person who has received mental health treatment and more than 50% reported that either they do not have enough time or financial resources or that they prefer to deal with issues on their own.

Next to the counseling center and close friends, students reported a preference for seeking help from an academic advisor or professor. Unfortunately, more than two-thirds of students surveyed do not feel comfortable doing so.

Recommendations for University Administrations, Faculty, and Academic Advisors

1. Validate, Appreciate, and Refer

“Faculty are not experts and do not need to be. They can help a struggling student just by being there for them”, says Active Minds’ Chief Program Officer, Laura Horne. Active Minds recommends a critical and yet simple means of providing help through V-A-R (http://www.activeminds.org/var), their ‘Validate, Appreciate, and Refer’ process, as well as by keeping handy a quick reference sheet with contact information of the campus counseling center and other resources.

2. Normalize the need for help.

Faculty can validate that mental health issues are common, especially among college students, and verbalize to students that they can ask for help. Says Stephen Loflin, NSCS Founder and CEO, “the number one thing students report valuing most in a professor is approachability”.

3. Keep overachievers on your radar.

Loflin adds, “Our data validates that high-achieving students struggle, too. It is important for faculty and advisors to keep overachievers on their radar throughout the academic year.”

4. Embed wellbeing into your curriculum.

Research shows that skill-building is important. Faculty can showcase well-being resources and services in the first week of classes. Horne suggests, “Add wellness resources to your course syllabi. Start class with a mindful moment or meditation. Assign self-care as homework. Set deadlines for assignments at a time of day that encourages students to get enough sleep — avoid midnight or late night deadlines.”

5. Advocate for more support.

Faculty can lead the charge in transforming their campus culture around mental health. “Ask your administration for more training and resources to foster a culture of well-being,” says Horne. “Mental health issues are the number one reason students drop out.” An institution can examine if and how it prioritizes mental health, using Active Minds’ Healthy Campus Award Key Finding Reports(https://www.activeminds.org/programs/healthy-campus-award/).

6. Remember to practice your own self-care.

As much as anything, it’s important for faculty to exemplify well-being practices. “You can’t pour from an empty cup, ” reminds Horne. Faculty feeling down or stressed can investigate benefits and services available through their campus’ Employee Assistance Program.

To learn more about this research and what you can do for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, go to activeminds.org.

About Active Minds

Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Through our presence on more than 800 high school and college campuses, in the workplace, and through a wide-reaching public audience, Active Minds is creating communities of support and saving lives. Together we can change the conversation about mental health. Join us at activeminds.org.

About the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is an honors organization that recognizes and elevates high-achieving first-and-second year college students. With its three pillars of scholarship, leadership and service, NSCS is proud to provide career and graduate school connections, leadership and service opportunities and gives out more than a million dollars in scholarships (often with multiple recipients per award), awards and chapter funds annually. NSCS has 320+ chapters nation-wide and nearly two million lifetime members globally. NSCS is a 501c3 registered nonprofit, certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies, member of the National Collegiate Honors Council, American Association of Community Colleges, and 100 percent FERPA compliant, per an independent review by AACRAO. Learn more at nscs.org.

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Day in and day out, we work with districts that are using Gaggle as part of a more holistic program to identify students who need interventions or require additional support services.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (PRWEB)
September 24, 2019

Research shows that more than two-thirds of students ages 13 to 18 require some level of professional help for a mental health condition. Yet, a majority of students with a mental health disorder do not receive the treatment they need. To help educators understand and respond to this deepening crisis, Gaggle has published a new white paper that examines research on adolescent mental health and identifies ways in which school districts can effectively identify and support students in need. In addition, during a free webinar on Oct. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. (EDT), a panel of experts will provide K-12 district leaders with insights into the causes of this crisis and resources districts are using to address the wellbeing of the “whole child.”

The white paper, titled “What Research Says About Students’ Increased Mental Health Crises and How Gaggle Can Be the First Line of Defense for Districts,” reveals research documenting student mental health issues, social trends, and risky student behaviors. It then explores causes of rising mental health concerns, including academic pressure, social media, and childhood trauma.

“Anxiety and depression are on the rise, suicides are increasing, and students are engaging in an alarming number of high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, sex, violence, and self-harm,” said Jeff Patterson, Gaggle CEO. “The crises in student mental health, particularly in middle and high school, are forcing school districts to become more proactive in the ways they identify and provide services to support students in need.”

To help school administrators and educators take the next step, the white paper outlines solutions that are successfully being implemented in schools, including student support services, school-wide interventions, social-emotional learning programs, and community partnerships. In addition, the paper describes how districts are using tools such as Gaggle to provide visibility into students’ online activity on school-issued devices so they can step in and take appropriate action to protect students from harming themselves and others.

During the Oct. 10th webinar, “Addressing the Crisis in Adolescent Mental Health: How Districts Can Identify and Support Struggling Students,” a panel of education experts will discuss current research and what two districts — one in Texas and one in Idaho — are doing to address these problems. They will discuss topics such as funding additional student services, introducing social-emotional learning, conducting schoolwide interventions, and creating a community-based action plan, among others. The free webinar will be held at edWeb.net and hosted by the School Safety community on edWeb. To register for the webinar, visit https://home.edweb.net/webinar/schoolsafety20191010/.

“Districts understand that improving students’ mental health is as important as keeping students physically safe on campus. As outlined in this white paper and the upcoming webinar, there are a number of ways in which schools are effectively supporting the well-being of the ‘whole child’ and creating a safe physical and emotional learning environment for all students,” said Patterson. “Day in and day out, we work with districts that are using Gaggle as part of a more holistic program to identify students who need interventions or require additional support services. Whether they call Gaggle their first alarm system or their safety net, it provides reassurance that they are doing everything possible to enhance their students’ safety and well-being.”

For a free copy of the white paper, visit https://news.gaggle.net/student-mental-health-report.

About Gaggle | http://www.gaggle.net

Since 1999, Gaggle has been the leader in helping K-12 districts manage student safety on school-provided technology. Using a robust combination of both artificial intelligence and trained safety experts, the safety solution proactively assists districts 24/7/365 in the prevention of student suicide, bullying, inappropriate behaviors, school violence, and other harmful situations. Most importantly, Gaggle continues to help hundreds of districts avoid tragedies and save lives, while also protecting their liability. In the 2018-19 academic year, Gaggle has helped districts save the lives of more than 700 students who were planning or actually attempting suicide. For more information, visit http://www.gaggle.net and follow Gaggle on Twitter at @Gaggle_K12.

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“Anxiety-Free: Who Would You Be?” by Mia Villatora and Jennifer Marsland.

“[‘Anxiety-Free’ is] a breath of fresh air amidst the miasma of anti-stress, anti-anxiety self-help books out there on the market . . . As I read through, I just loved the way that I felt the authors were talking only to me, as if we were having a face to face session.”

SYDNEY (PRWEB)
September 23, 2019

It is estimated that 260 million people worldwide suffer from an anxiety disorder. Two counselors, Mia Villatora and Jennifer Marsland, have teamed up to help some of these people break free from the grip of anxiety. Their new book, “Anxiety-Free: Who Would You Be?”, is a conversational and easy-to-understand guide to anxiety and escaping it.

Each chapter dives into a different aspect of anxiety and how it affects the mind and body. Villatora and Marsland offer techniques and exercises to help readers find inner calm during anxious times. Through over a decade of collective evaluation, experience with clients and their own journey’s, they share a simple approach towards anxiety that will give people hope.

“While it is a privilege to be alive in this age of technology and innovation, it’s clear people experience anxiety now more than ever,” the authors said. “We know the last thing you need when you have anxiety is a huge textbook, so we wanted to give real help in a small guide.”

One reviewer describes “Anxiety-Free” as “a breath of fresh air amidst the miasma of anti-stress, anti-anxiety self-help books out there on the market . . . As I read through, I just loved the way that I felt the authors were talking only to me, as if we were having a face to face session.”

With this fresh, relatable take on life with anxiety and coping mechanisms, Villatora and Marsland will inspire readers to find their true meaning in an anxiety-free life.

“Anxiety-Free: Who Would You Be?”

By Mia Villatora and Jennifer Marsland

ISBN: 978-0648579816 (paperback); 978-1504317481 (e-book)

Available now at Amazon

About the authors

Mia Villatora is a registered counselor, NLP practitioner, former foster-care panel member and overcomer of anxiety. She can provide commentary on living with, treating, and coping with anxiety. She is a member of the Australian Counselling Association and the International Association of Applied Neuroscience.

Jennifer Marsland is an author and qualified counselor who has worked extensively with anxious clients. She has experience working as a counselor at Burwood, has run group therapy sessions for drug and alcohol rehab patients, worked with young people facing anxiety-inducing identity issues, and worked with domestic violence victims.

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The BCCA operates under the AltaPointe Health umbrella. AltaPointe provides services to more than 34,000 children and adults each year across seven counties in Alabama.

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (PRWEB)
September 22, 2019

On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, including prescription and illicit drugs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Baldwin County Community Alliance (BCCA) will unveil its newest tool to fight prescription drug abuse — an incinerator — on Monday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. at the Daphne Police Department located at 1502 US-98, Daphne, AL 36526. The incinerator will be used to properly destroy prescription drugs collected from the nine permanent drug drop boxes located across Baldwin County.

The BCCA is comprised of multiple community agencies collaborating to decrease underage drinking and prescription drug misuse by Baldwin County youth. Hundreds of pounds of prescription drugs have been collected in the permanent prescription drug drop boxes before misuse could occur.

The incinerator was purchased through a SAMHSA grant through the Prevention Department of Alabama Department of Mental Health. The Daphne Police Department worked in unison with the BCCA to obtain and install the incinerator, adding another layer of protection to keep children drug free.

The BCCA operates under the AltaPointe Health umbrella. AltaPointe provides services to more than 34,000 children and adults each year across seven counties in Alabama. For more information on the BCCA or the incinerator, you can contact Shai Markris, prevention program developer, at (251) 517-1275 or smarkris@altapointe.org.

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Wanting to be feared rather than loved offers a sense of power, but it will be short-lived. Love is the key to loyalty and to respect.

People who think that fear gains them power and respect are almost always compensating for their own sense of powerlessness, doubt, and lack of self-love.

MONTREAL (PRWEB)
September 21, 2019

What can be said of people who would rather be feared than be loved? Perhaps they get a thrill out of making others feel weak and inferior, or think that having others cower is the fastest way to power. However, if history has taught the world anything, it’s that even the most feared tyrant can be toppled, and that rising to prominence by gaining the support, loyalty, admiration, and love of the public can literally change the course of the future.

Moreover, according to research from Queendom.com, there are several other reasons why people who think fear gains them respect should reconsider their approach. According to the study, those who would rather be feared than be loved tend to have lower self-esteem, are less resilient and less self-motivated, and even less happy.

Analyzing data from 12,259 people who took Queendom’s Emotional Intelligence Test, researchers divided the sample according to one key factor: Those who would rather be loved, and those who would rather be feared. Here’s how their scores compared on different factors – and why love always trumps fear:

(Note: Scores range on a scale from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the stronger the trait/skill).

EMPATHY & SOCIAL INSIGHT

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 64
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 77

CONFLICT-RESOLUTION SKILLS

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 51
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 72

COURAGE TO STAND BY ONE’S VALUES

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 59
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 75

DESIRE FOR APPROVAL

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 48
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 39

FLEXIBILITY & COOPERATIVENESS

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 56
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 72

CONTENTMENT

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 52
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 63

COPING SKILLS

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 58
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 69

ABILITY TO LET GO OF LITTLE ANNOYANCES

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 66
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 82

RESILIENCE

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 60
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 72

SELF-ESTEEM

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 52
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 69

SELF-EFFICACY

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 56
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 69

STRIVING & DESIRE FOR KNOWLEDGE

• Score for people who would rather be feared: 64
• Score for people who would rather be loved: 78

“There’s a certain sense of power that comes with being feared, but that generally doesn’t last very long,” explains Dr. Jerabek, president of PsychTests, the parent company of Queendom. “Every time you pull the power card, you lose some of it – and your future impact is lessened. So while fear might compel people to comply, that fear will eventually turn into anger, courage, and defiance. That’s why dictators are so often toppled by the very people they want to rule – because the public is tired of being forced to obey under threat of harm, be it physical, emotional, or economic. But if you are kind, caring, and compassionate, it changes everything. If you are a leader who truly cares about the people you lead, you leave an indelible mark on your followers, and on history itself. Look at the remarkable stories of some of the world’s most beloved leaders. Franklin D. Roosevelt led his country through the great Depression, Churchill through war. Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. expounded the advancement of civil rights, yet encouraged non-violent protests. These are people who gained the trust, support, loyalty, and love of their nations and to this day, are considered a prime example of how a leader should be. They proved that leading through love and compassion is so much more powerful and life-changing the leading through fear. The bottom line is that people who think that fear gains them power and respect are almost always compensating for their own sense of powerlessness, self-doubt, and lack of self-love. They crave approval and acceptance, yet they alienate their followers. So much more can be accomplished through love than through fear.”

Want to assess your EQ? Check out our Emotional Intelligence Test at: https://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=3978

Professional users, such as coaches, athletic directors of scouts, can request a free demo for this or other assessments from ARCH Profile’s extensive battery: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/testdrive_gen_1

To learn more about psychological testing, download this free eBook: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/personality-tests-in-hr

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About PsychTests AIM Inc.

PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts (see ARCHProfile.com). The company’s research division, Plumeus Inc., is supported in part by Research and Development Tax Credit awarded by Industry Canada.

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Over 11.5 million people have purposefully misused prescription opioids to get high, and many of these people end up with an addiction.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (PRWEB)
September 20, 2019

JC’s Recovery Center has announced the release of their most recent informative guide: A Guide to Understanding the Opioid Epidemic. The guide breaks down the history and threats of opioid addiction in the US.

According to JC’s Recovery Center, “Over 11.5 million people have purposefully misused prescription opioids to get high, and many of these people end up with an addiction. Current rates of opioid abuse and overdose continue to soar, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officially consider the opioid epidemic to be a public health emergency. Here’s what you need to know about the opioid crisis..”

The guide breaks down how to help someone with opioid addiction while avoiding accusations and confrontations.

To learn more about the importance of finding assistance to help with opioid addiction, view the guide here.

About JC’s Recovery Center

Our mission is to provide a safe, structured and nurturing environment, for individuals of all faiths. We will be a helping hand in your passage into a new, healthy and productive way of life centered in the love of God.

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LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (PRWEB)
September 18, 2019

The interns of NJ Lenders Corp. recently spent their time giving back to those in need. They all attended the Youth Consultation Services Foundation (YCS) in Hackensack, where NJ Lenders donated $1,000 worth of school supplies for kids with special needs. They also spent time with the children and threw them a pizza party and handed out ice cream.

NJ Lenders is a part of the charity, where YCS provides services to thousands of New Jersey families who have children (birth to adulthood) with special needs. Some of the children in their group homes have been separated from their loved ones, and affected by different things like trauma, or intellectual or developmental disabilities. The YCS staff is incredible and offers individualized educational, mental health, and/or behavioral health programming to the children.

NJ Lenders is proud to be a part of YCS, and is honored to be able to help in any way, and to put a smile on the kid’s faces. It was a great day for the interns, and one they are sure to always remember.

About NJ Lenders Corp.

Founded in 1991, NJ Lenders is a leading NJ-based residential mortgage banker that is privately owned and licensed. The company currently originates first mortgage loans in NJ, NY, CT, PA, VA, MD, and FL. With 11 offices and over $25 billion in closed mortgage loans, many of their Mortgage Loan Originators are recognized nationally as the best in their field. The company has competitive rates and fees with a wide variety of mortgage programs to select from.

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