United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention
Emilia Vilaire-Monchery, VP, Community Impact, Youth Opportunity
Maria Hernandez, LCSW, Chief Impact Officer
Aisha McDonald, LMHC, Director, Training Initiatives
Margaret Borges, Director, Youth Opportunity
Janine Ribeiro, LMHC-QS, VP, Healthy Community
Angela Ventura, Director, Community Based Strategies
954-462-4850 | UnitedWayBroward.org | DrugFreeBroward.org | UnitedForSeniors.org
Who is affected by behavioral health and substance misuse?
Behavioral health and substance use affect every family, every neighborhood, and every sector of our community. Whether through personal experience or someone we love, nearly all of us have been touched by challenges with mental health, substance misuse, or suicide. No one is immune, and that is why prevention, early intervention, and community collaboration are more important than ever.
What is United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health and Drug Prevention?
For more than 85 years, United Way Broward has brought a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. In response to the ongoing mental health and substance misuse in our community, United Way established the Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention.
The Coalition mobilizes healthcare providers, schools, law enforcement, local government, faith-based groups, nonprofits, businesses, and residents to create a unified response, backed by data, for the behavioral health needs of our community. Through comprehensive community assessments, direct services, town halls, listening sessions, and cross-sector partnerships, we identify emerging needs, elevate community voices, and co-create sustainable solutions that are changing and saving lives.
How significant is the need for mental health and behavioral health resources?
The need is significant. More than one in five U.S. adults experiences a mental health condition each year, and suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young people. Substance use continues to devastate families: Broward County recorded more than 400 fatal overdoses in 2024, and emergency medical services responded to more than 4,500 overdose incidents. These numbers include parents, children, friends, coworkers, and neighbors whose lives have been altered forever.
What impact does the Coalition have on the community?
While the need is clearly there, the Coalition is committed to changing the current reality. We are seeing change! Together, we are changing the conversation around behavioral health by reducing stigma, expanding prevention, increasing awareness, and investing in life-changing programs. Through strong partnerships across our community, we are creating safe, trusted spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to seek help, paving the way for healthier individuals, stronger families, and more resilient communities.
Every initiative we lead is grounded in evidence, informed by community input, and driven by the unequivocal belief that prevention works. Our education prevention has reached 70,000+ clients and 12,500+ families. And as a direct result, Broward County continues to experience a year-over-year decline in overdose deaths, reflecting the positive impact of coordinated prevention efforts, community partnerships, education, and public awareness.
What are some of the key programs that the community can get involved with?
The Coalition has coordinated more than 80 community engagement activities. A few of them include:
• South Florida Behavioral Health Conference
• Broward Youth Coalition
• Youth Leadership Institute
• Rise Above Stigma Symposiums
• United For Seniors (download the app at UnitedForSeniors.org)
You can also visit the Prevention Resource Center on our website or join one of our Action Teams.
How can someone call for support or get involved?
We invite you to join us in our journey to reduce the stigma, normalize conversations around mental health, and connect individuals to the various community resources available either through United Way Broward or our partner agencies. Visit UnitedWayBroward.org for more information.
