<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1d9xYb_1GsJuwaD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1d9xYb_1GsJuwaD00" width="1200" height="630" >ROCKLEDGE – Sometimes, people just need to feel heard, understood and know they’re not alone.“We live in a world that tells us you’re not supposed to talk about your mental health,” said Yasmin Flasterstein, peer support specialist with To Write Love on Her Arms.Known as TWLOHA, the Brevard nonprofit provides hope and support for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicidal thoughts.One of its programs, Good Company Gatherings, offers free peer support groups where participants can share experiences and connect with others facing similar challenges.“Sometimes you don’t want to be fixed or analyzed or diagnosed — you’re really just looking for somebody to finally say, ‘That really sucks,’” Flasterstein said. “And that can be really, really powerful.”TWLOHA received a $20,000 Health First Wellness Grant this year to support the gatherings and expand access to community-based mental health resources.The need is significant. According to the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, Brevard County has historically exceeded state and national rates of mental distress, suicide deaths, alcohol use disorder and accidental overdose deaths.About 1 in 6 Brevard adults reported being unable to access needed mental health services in the past year.Good Company Gatherings are held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Get Your Fun On, 3040 W. New Haven Ave., Melbourne.Participants are asked to RSVP at twloha.com/brevard-peer-support. Additional in-person and virtual gatherings are also available.Flasterstein said peer-led, trauma-informed spaces can make a significant difference.“I really do think it’s nothing short of lifesaving,” she said.Chad Talley, a former participant who now helps facilitate the groups, knows firsthand how important that support can be. After struggling to find help for his obsessive-compulsive disorder, Talley experienced a severe flare-up that prompted him to seek additional support.“Peer support groups have played a massive role in my mental health journey,” he said.The experience eventually inspired him to become a facilitator. Although he is not a licensed mental health provider, Talley said sharing experiences and resources with others has been rewarding.Group sessions begin with shared guidelines designed to create a comfortable, nonjudgmental environment. Participants can speak up if they choose, and discussions remain confidential.“It lets you know that you’re not alone in your struggle,” Talley said. “You can get resources from people that have been through similar things.”He also hopes to encourage more men to feel comfortable discussing their mental health.“You have to be really brave to open yourself up and be vulnerable,” he said.The gatherings also offer an option for those who may be hesitant to seek professional help or concerned about the cost of therapy.To learn more about Health First’s community giving programs and this year’s wellness grant recipients, visit hf.org/wellnessgrants and hf.org/giving-back.</div></body>

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ROCKLEDGE – Sometimes, people just need to feel heard, understood and know they’re not alone. “We live in a world that tells us you’re not supposed to talk about your mental health,” said Yasmin Flasterstein, peer support specialist with To Write Love on Her Arms. Known...

Finding your people, finding hope

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ROCKLEDGE – Sometimes, people just need to feel heard, understood and know they’re not alone. “We live in a world that tells us you’re not supposed to talk

Finding your people, finding hope

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