After the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in our area last year, the start of another hurricane season can bring up feelings of worry and anxiety. It’s completely normal to feel this way – but there are healthy steps you can take to care for your emotional well-being as storms approach.

Here are a few helpful ways to stay grounded and emotionally prepared:

• Have a plan—and stick to it. Knowing what you’ll do before a storm arrives helps reduce fear and builds confidence. Make sure your plan includes your loved ones, pets, medications, and important documents. The American Red Cross is a great resource for preparation checklists.
• Stick to the facts. Stay informed with reliable updates so you can make sound decisions, but try to avoid constant exposure to dramatic news coverage that focuses only on destruction – it can fuel anxiety rather than help.
• Lean on your support system. Whether it’s family, friends, neighbors, or others in your program, staying connected can make a big difference. Preparing alongside others helps ease fears and builds a sense of shared resilience.
• Take care of your body. Eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep all contribute to stronger mental health. A healthy routine helps you feel more in control and better equipped to handle uncertainty.
• Support your children. Kids pick up on adult stress. Reassure them with honest, age-appropriate information, limit their exposure to storm coverage, and keep routines as normal as possible to help them feel safe.

No one faces hurricane season alone. ACTS is here to support you before, during, and after the storm. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your ACTS program team – we’re here to help.

Breaking the Stigma and Building Support

June is Men’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique health challenges men face and to encourage early detection and treatment of disease – including mental health and substance use issues.

At ACTS, we recognize that mental health is health, and seeking help is a sign of strength- not weakness. Yet too often, men delay or avoid seeking the care they need. Whether due to stigma, fear of judgment, or cultural expectations around masculinity, many men suffer in silence. We want to change that.

The Facts:

• Men are less likely than women to seek help for depression, anxiety, or addiction.
• Suicide rates are significantly higher among men, especially those aged 45–64.
• Substance use disorders often go untreated in men, despite being highly treatable with the right support.

ACTS Is Here for You

We offer compassionate, confidential, and evidence-based services tailored to meet people where they are. From detox and recovery programs to outpatient therapy, supportive housing, and peer support, our programs help men heal, rebuild, and thrive.

Whether you’re reaching out for the first time or looking to continue your recovery journey, you are not alone.

Real Support. Real Stories.

Many of the men we serve come to ACTS at a turning point in their lives. With the right tools and a strong support network, they’ve gone on to achieve stability, reconnect with loved ones, and build new futures. Their strength lies not in avoiding struggle, but in facing it head-on—with help.

This June, Let’s Talk About It

• Talk to a friend, a brother, a partner, or a coworker.
• Reach out to a professional if you’re struggling.
• Let’s normalize these conversations and create a culture where men feel safe to speak up and seek support.

Need help or know someone who does? Call us at 813.246.4899 or visit www.actsfl.org to learn more about our programs.

Because taking care of your mental health is one of the strongest things you can do.