Campus & Community

Palm Beach State College is bringing together local experts to discuss the critical topics surrounding mental health and to highlight resources available to help those in need.

The Mental Health Open Forum will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in room LGA 139 at the Loxahatchee Groves campus. It is free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to register at www.palmbeachstate.edu/communityrelations.

Panelists will include: Elaine Rotenberg, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and clinical director of the Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service and the Levine Jewish Residential & Family Service; Michael Kane, Ph.D., manager of behavioral health services for the Palm Beach County School District Department of Safe Schools; William Kenny, Ph.D., a licensed social worker who serves as manager of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Services Division and Patrice Schroeder, a community relations specialist for the 211 Helpline. Psychologist Seth Bernstein, senior vice president of community investments for the United Way of Palm Beach County, will serve as moderator of the panel. They will discuss policies, funding for services and ways individuals can support those dealing with mental health.

The event is being organized by PBSC’s Community Relations office in partnership with leaders at the Loxahatchee Groves campus. The Mental Health Forum is the latest of several forums organized by the Community Relations office to help educate and raise PBSC student and community awareness of various topics, including critical issues facing the county and nation. Earlier this month, the College hosted a forum at the Belle Glade campus on housing insecurities.

“As the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County, we want to be a part of bringing people together to discuss issues that are plaguing our county and the nation,’’ said Robin Johnson-Blake, PBSC’s director of community relations, a role the College created last year to get more connected to communities and to resources that are available to students. “By holding the forums on our campuses more students can get involved, and they can meet professionals in various career fields. It’s a learning process for our students, faculty and staff.”

For more information about the Mental Health Open Forum and to RSVP, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/communityrelations or call 561-868-3377.