Health First Wellness Grant for To Write Love on Her Arms helps Brevard residents find connection, encouragement and hope
ABOVE VIDEO: Health First Explains How Peer Support Groups Help Brevard Residents Feel Less Alone
To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), a mental health support organization, offers free monthly peer support groups through its Good Company Gatherings. It is geared toward people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicidal thoughts.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Sometimes, people just need to feel heard. Understood. And know they’re in good company.
“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.
“I could be in a really crowded room and feel really alone.”
Known as TWLOHA, the Brevard nonprofit exists to present hope – and help – for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicidality.
One of its offerings is Good Company Gatherings, free peer support groups. It’s a place for people to connect, share their feelings and find support from others facing similar challenges.
“When we’re always focused on fixing, sometimes the indirect message is that ‘something’s wrong with you,’ ” Flasterstein said.
“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.’ And that can be really, really powerful.”
Health First’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment revealed that about 1 in 6 adults in Brevard reported being unable to get needed mental health services in the past year.
TWLOHA received a $20,000 Health First Wellness Grant this year to support Good Company Gatherings and expand access to free peer support and community-based mental health resources.
According to the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), Brevard County has historically exceeded state and national rates of mental distress, suicide deaths, alcohol use disorder, and accidental overdose deaths.
The CHNA revealed that about 1 in 6 Brevard adults reported being unable to get needed mental health services in the past year.
The Good Company Gathering general meetings 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.
Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance at twloha.com/brevard-peer-support.
Additional in-person and virtual peer support gatherings are available, giving participants opportunities to connect, share experiences, and find encouragement within communities that understand their unique challenges.
Flasterstein described peer-led, trauma-informed spaces as critical, adding, “I really do think it’s nothing short of lifesaving.”
Chad Talley, a former participant-turned-facilitator of the peer group, can attest to that. He said finding help for his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been a challenge.
“Peer support groups have played a massive role in my mental health journey,” Talley shared.
“I had a really bad OCD flare-up — probably the worst flare-up I’ve ever had — to the point where I couldn’t continue if I didn’t find something.”
That experience eventually led Talley to become a facilitator with the group.
“I want to be able to help the people that have helped me,” he said.
While Talley is not a licensed mental health provider, he’s grateful to have a space to talk about his OCD journey – and share what has helped him with others.
He described the experience as comfortable and non-threatening, thanks to “comfort agreements” shared at the start of each session.
“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.”
Participants can share if they choose, and what’s said in the group stays in the group.
“I’ve been told it feels less manly to open up – I think it’s the opposite,” Talley explained. “You have to be really brave to open yourself up and be vulnerable.”
For those who are hesitant, asking for help is one of the bravest things a person can do, Talley added. Plus, cost is not a barrier to attending.
“Peer support groups are a good option if you’re afraid or don’t think you have the budget for therapy,” Talley said.
To learn more about how Health First gives back to the community and to see a full list of organizations being supported this year, visit hf.org/wellnessgrants and hf.org/giving-back.
