Our country is facing a mental health crisis. It’s not about not talking anymore. It is now a concern felt in every community across America.
Teachers are witnessing in their classrooms the impact it has on students’ ability to learn and grow.
Law enforcement officers are encountering people on the streets experiencing mental health crises who don’t have access to medication or stable housing.
Hospital emergency rooms are on the front lines, witnessing the harsh reality of so many children and adults needing crisis care, often because they cannot receive it in the community. is reflected.
According to Mental Health America, more than 2.9 million adults here in Florida experience mental illness. More than half of them are not receiving treatment.
For many people, that doesn’t mean they don’t seek treatment. they don’t have access to it. Like the rest of the country, the Sunshine State faces a critical shortage of behavioral health providers. There are not enough services to meet the growing demand for services.
Mental health crises don’t just happen during normal work hours. And just because large state institutions closed down decades ago doesn’t mean there are no longer people in need of care.
People with mental illness often have preventable chronic conditions that are not managed effectively due to a lack of coordinated care. Our care systems must provide children and adults with the care they need, where they are, with dignity and compassion. To that end, hospitals support these critical services and partner with community organizations to establish and strengthen critical comprehensive behavioral and social services that are person-centered.
We want our children to be happy, healthy, grow, and succeed in school. We want adults to be supported with effective services that promote community participation, well-being and recovery.
The good news is that Florida State is doing something about it. Florida’s hospitals are working with community organizations and state leaders to increase access to services, expand workforces, and support Floridians who need help most.
Many hospitals in Florida provide inpatient psychiatric treatment and outpatient treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. Many hospitals support a range of community-based behavioral health services to support a complete continuum of care.
Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and the Florida Legislature are shining a bright spotlight on mental health issues and charting a course toward increasing resources to improve Florida’s care system. . Recently, the state increased support for mobile crisis response teams to provide more trained professionals when people have a mental health crisis. In many cases, these teams can de-escalate the situation and prevent hospitalization.
Another strong sign of the state’s commitment to mental health, included in Congress’ landmark Live Healthy bill this year, is the creation of state-designated behavioral health teaching hospitals. This initiative represents a long-term commitment to developing the behavioral health workforce. Currently, Florida has a ratio of 1 provider for every 550 individuals. Massachusetts has the highest ratio of active workforce in the country, at a ratio of 1 provider to 140 people.
This past session, the Florida Legislature demonstrated leadership in streamlining processes and supporting timely access to quality care. We are extremely grateful to our state’s leaders and all behavioral health providers who strive to provide comprehensive, person-centered care that delivers the best outcomes at the right time and in the right setting.
As the demand for mental health and substance use disorder treatment continues to soar in our state and nation, we will continue to drive progress and support human dignity, compassionate and comprehensive care, and behavioral health. We need to promote solutions that demonstrate our commitment to modern systems. The latest standards of care and treatment.
This month is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is an opportunity to encourage others who are seeking help. Florida hospitals are actively working with community organizations and leaders in the Florida Legislature to ensure that people who need behavioral health services receive them.
Access to quality care for both body and mind gives Floridians hope for a brighter future.
Mary C. Mayhew is president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association.
