Rebel's Drop-In Center offers free mental health support and recovery groups at Memorial Regional Outpatient Center

Each year nearly 1 in 5 Americans (42.5 million) suffers from some variety of mental health issues. These issues often go untreated due to an ongoing stigma attached to mental illnesses and to a lack of understanding. When left untreated or unaddressed, mental health issues can destroy the lives of the people they affect, and the lives of those around them.

Fortunately for the people of Hollywood, a resource for help exists in the form of Rebel’s Drop-In Center. Open at the Memorial Outpatient Behavioral Health Center at Memorial Regional Hospital since 2001, the center is named after Rebel Ann Bowden, a young person coping with mental health issues whose parents helped open the center and are involved with it to this day.

Rebel’s Drop-In is open every day of the year and, true to its name, does not require appointments; anyone can drop in at anytime during the center’s hours, which run from 3-8 p.m. on weekdays and 12-5 p.m. on holidays and weekends.

The services the center offers include support groups, peer counseling, art therapy and recreational activities- all completely free to the public. These programs aim to help individuals who suffer from mental health or substance abuse issues on their path to recovery by giving them artistic outlets, a sense of community, and a positive environment.

“People with mental health problems can be isolated, so the recreational activities provide an environment to socialize and to make friends,” said the center’s director Deanne O’Brien.

Groups meet weekly to address specific concerns such as: Emotions Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Schizophrenics Anonymous, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Group, Depression Support Group, Over Eaters Anonymous, Couples in Recovery, Anxiety Management, Duel Recovery, Low Self Esteem / Building Self Esteem, AA Alcoholics Anonymous, Life Skills, and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

According to O’Brien, the Rebel’s receives somewhere between 350-400 unique patients per year, some who have been attending since the center’s opening 15 years ago.

The center is open Monday through Friday, from 3 to 8pm, weekends and holidays from noon to 5pm.

Rebel’s Drop-In Center
Memorial Regional Outpatient Center for Behavioral Health
3400 North 29 Avenue
Hollywood, Florida
For more information, call 954-965-6452, ext. 205.

 

Author: Amanda Jones
Author: Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones specializes in social media marketing. She holds a Master's degree in Social Media Management from the University of Florida and a Social Media Professional Certificate from the University of Miami.

Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.