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Kristi Van Sickle, Psy.D. 

 

 

Kristi Van Sickle, Psy.D. is a Licensed Florida Psychologist and Assistant Professor in Community Health at in the Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Brevard Healthcare Forum, a coalition of healthcare providers who work to improve healthcare safety, quality, affordability, and accessibility for Brevard County residents. 

 

Like many mental health professionals, Dr. Van Sickle’s passion for working with and advocating for people with psychiatric problems grew from her experiences with family members with mental health concerns.  Dr. Van Sickle has served as a Brevard Drop-In Center Board Member since November 2007.

 

 

 

Regina Friedman B.A., M.S.

I am a retired educator and have lived in Brevard County for the past nine years.  I have experience in all grades, from the Headstart Program to the university level.  For the last sixteen years of my career I was the director of a medical imaging program (radiography, Cat Scan, and MRI).  Prior to that I was a high school science teacher.

Since moving to Brevard I have been doing volunteer work with people who have mental illnesses.  I have a son who has Bipolar Disorder and I have been diagnosed with Clinical Depression.

I am a past president of NAMI – South Brevard, a member of The Brevard County Commission on Mental Health and Community Solutions, and a trainer on the Crisis Intervention Team.

At the Drop – in- Center I am a facilitator for the Wellness Action Recovery Program (WRAP).  WRAP is a structured system that consumers use to monitor symptoms, and a set of plans that they formulate to reduce, modify or eliminate those symptoms.  A notebook is prepared by the participant, which includes the following sections:

Daily Maintenance Plan, Triggers, Early Warning Signs, Symptoms, and a Crisis Plan.

The Wellness Action Recovery Plan was formulated by Mary Ellen Copeland, MS, MA.  Information describing WRAP can be found at

www.mentalhealthrcovery.com


Jean McPhaden B.A., M.Ed.

I am a retired educator, cost account manager, commercial, technical and non-profit writer, and have lived in Brevard County since 1977.  I have taught grades 6, through sophomore college level, and adult education.  

My grandmother was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) in the 1930’s, and I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 1981.

Since 1991, I have supported, encouraged and advocated for others with psychiatric disorders in the Melbourne area.  I am a member and past Secretary of NAMI – South Brevard, a member of Local Advocacy Council (appointed by the Governor to monitor facilities and investigate reports of abuse in facilities that receive funds from the Department of Children and Family Services), a member and past secretary of NAMI Florida Consumer Council, and a member of the Florida Peer Network, a group of people with psychiatric disorders who network, educate, and advocate for better treatment and services.

At the Drop – in Center I am the Executive Director.  Some people think this means I am the boss, but the members make most of the decisions.  I see the Board of Directors as a safety net, advocating for us in the community, supporting us with their expertise, skills, and with help when we encounter challenges beyond our ability to resolve ourselves, assuring that we maintain proper licenses, insurances, pay our bills, and that we work within our budget, vision, and goals.  My job is to find funding, compose and review documents, collect data, make sure things go smoothly, and coordinate activities and services. The Assistant Director and the Assistant for Special Programs help me with many tasks and projects.  They and other members do a great deal of the work it takes to keep the Center open.  I’m really more of a coordinator than a director.

I love being at the Drop-in Center and being on the Board.  It helps me with my recovery and I get to meet so many nice and interesting people.  My hope for the Drop-in Center is that we can grow and help more people with mental health issues.