How to Access Mental Health Services in Florida
- Jan Paulyn Navarro
- Apr 12, 2024
- 4 min read
Florida Teens Gruber, R. (n.d.). Orlando Florida USA [Photograph]. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/orlando-florida-usa-209502/
How to Access Mental Health Services in Florida
Florida is full of teenagers like us! We have a diverse group of people here, including whites, blacks, and Asians. Spanish is also extremely frequent! Teenage years can be difficult, and feelings of depression or stress are common. But, just as you wouldn't overlook a broken arm, don't disregard your mental health!
Seeking mental health care is not a sign of weakness! Some cultures may make it appear that way, yet it is perfectly acceptable to talk to someone. Florida provides free or low-cost methods to seek help, whether you want to talk to a therapist, phone a hotline, or meet other kids who understand. This blog entry will teach you why receiving help is beneficial and where to locate it.
What does the government offer, and Why Does it Matter?
In Florida, mental health services such as counseling, hotlines, and support groups are provided by the government to teenagers. These resources are available to help us in managing stress, depression, or other mental health issues. You know, we must have these resources. They support our development into happy, healthy individuals. Government support now can improve everyone's standard of life and prevent more serious mental health problems in the future.
How to find Mental Health Resources in Florida
Reach out for support! Life can be overwhelming sometimes and nobody should go through it alone. This guide will show exactly how to access mental health services in Florida.
Tenor. (2022). Janssen more than blue [GIF]. https://tenor.com/view/janssenmorethanblue-morethanblue-mental-health-mental-health-check-depress-gif-24588346
1. Call a hotline
Remember, crisis hotlines are staffed by trained professionals who can provide support when you feel overwhelmed, have thoughts of self-harm, or are in urgent need of someone to talk to during a mental health crisis.
Crisis and Suicide Hotline Florida: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call, text, or chat 988 http://988lifeline.org/
Teen Line: An anonymous, nonjudgmental space for youth | Teen Line Teens can access personal peer-to-peer support from highly trained teens supervised by adult mental health professionals. The Teen Line can be reached at 800-852-8336 Nationwide (6 PM - 10 PM PST) or TEXT TEEN to 839863 (6 PM - 9 PM PST) https://www.teenline.org/who-we-are
211 Florida: Dial 211 to connect with a helpline that can refer you to mental health and other social services. They’re there for everyone no matter what.
2. Explore online resources
The internet can be a great resource for mental health info and support. Here are some helpful sites to check out:
JED FOUNDATION: Includes many mental health resources, specifically for teens and young adults https://jedfoundation.org/
JASMYN: Free counseling services for LGBTQIA+ teens and youth of color https://www.jasmyn.org
THE TREVOR PROJECT: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
3. Find a therapist or counselor
Talking to a therapist can be a game-changer. Therapists are trained professionals who can help through problems and there are different types of therapy, that can be found fit to own preferences. Here are some resources to find a therapist:
BETTER HELP–Online therapy via live chat, video, phone, and messaging https://www.betterhelp.com/
FREE OR LOW-COST COUNSELING IN FLORIDA–Take a quick quiz about your needs and get matched to a therapist online https://www.opencounseling.com/florida
Tenor. (2022). Mental health wellbeing sticker [GIF]. https://tenor.com/view/mental-health-wellbeing-mental-health-resources-mtv-brittdoesdesign-gif-25264069
4. Join a support group
Support groups offer connections and understanding from peers who share similar experiences and can provide a supportive environment.
CLUBHOUSE INTERNATIONAL- Offers people living with mental illness opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education, and access to medical and psychiatric services https://clubhouse-intl.org/
Tenor. (2020). Group therapy please feel free to tell us anything [GIF]. https://tenor.com/view/group-therapy-please-feel-free-to-tell-us-anything-homer-simpson-the-simpsons-gif-17088030
Critique of the Resource
Teen Line is our top pick for free teen support. Here are the reasons:
It’s accessible to any teen needing help in the evening. ~Brittany
It’s anonymous, so no need to feel judged! ~Jazmine
Sometimes talking to an adult can be hard for teens; with Teen Line, a trained teen picks up the call. ~Paulyn
Teen Line is like having a conversation with a cool, supportive new buddy. When they're feeling low, it might make all the difference to know that there is someone around their age who cares about what they have to say. ~Tuana
It's run by teens who understand and are there to listen. ~Mehj
It’s an open line for people that want to be heard. ~Quadir
Closing
Hey, it's okay if you're struggling and need help with your mental health. There are many options available in Florida to help you with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issues you may be facing. For more on different mental health concerns and self-care advice, see our other blog postings. Just keep in mind that help is there anytime you need it. you are not alone!
Call-to-Action
Even though life can throw some major curveballs, there are resources available to support you at every stage, whether you're feeling anxious or just need someone to talk to. Remember asking for help is never a sign of weakness. Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the resources provided!
REFERENCES
An anonymous, nonjudgmental space for youth | Teen Line. (n.d.). https://www.teenline.org/who-we-are
BetterHelp | Professional Therapy With A Licensed Therapist. (n.d.). https://www.betterhelp.com/
Data USA. (n.d.). Florida. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/florida/
Free or Low-Cost Counseling in Florida - OpenCounseling. (n.d.). https://www.opencounseling.com/florida
JASMYN. (n.d.). https://www.jasmyn.org/
Mental Illness Recovery - Clubhouse International. (n.d.). https://clubhouse-intl.org/
Modir, S. (2023, February 1). Understanding the role of cultural stigma on seeking mental health services. https://health.choc.org/understanding-the-role-of-cultural-stigma-on-seeking-mental-health-services/
The Jed Foundation. (2024, April 01). https://jedfoundation.org/
The Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People. (2024, March 28). https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
U.S. Census Bureau. (2020). American Community Survey (ACS). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
Comments