June 28, 2024
Florida
offers a 211 phone line for people to call for information and referrals
regarding health and social services resources, including Mobile Response
Teams. (Liza Summer/Pexels)
Some
mental health advocates say Florida is making an effort to lead the nation with
its crisis response, with investments by the Legislature, state agencies,
organizations and the public. A new national report calls on states to expand
their 988 call center capacity and increase the availability of mobile response
units for people in crisis. Comments from Melanie Brown-Woofter, president of
the Florida Behavioral Health Association; and Angela Kimball, chief advocacy
officer for the nonprofit Inseparable
By: Trimmel Gomes
Florida is getting attention for its efforts to create a comprehensive crisis
response system for mental health needs.
A new report by the
mental health advocacy group Inseparable calls for policies to expand 988 call center capacity, increase the
availability of mobile response units,
create more crisis stabilization centers and establish stable funding
mechanisms to sustain the services.
Melanie Brown-Woofter, president of the Florida Behavioral Health Association,
said the Sunshine State is doing all that and more to provide care for anyone
in crisis, including adding more clinics.
"And now the certified community behavioral health clinics, we are really
building an entire system that allows an individual in crisis to seek care and
be linked to the right level of care at the right time," Brown-Woofter
explained. "And to have those resources available that they need."
She pointed out with Florida operating mobile response teams for over 30 years,
it is well ahead of other states. She notes the increased state funding to
expand services and to establish central receiving facilities, which are not
yet available in every state.
The facilities provide what she described as a full continuum of care,
from crisis intervention to
residential treatment, detox services and child care, all in one location.
Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for Inseparable, said it features
solutions designed to ensure everyone in a mental health crisis receives the
right services at the right time and provides a detailed roadmap for lawmakers.
"Our real goal here is to help create a very visual, easy to understand
tool that lets them understand how they can be that champion," Kimball
emphasized. "That helps ensure that no one's worst day keeps them from
living their best life."
Another objective for Kimball is to spark conversations about what is
achievable. For instance, the report showcased Oklahoma's RideCare program,
which offers non-law enforcement transportation to urgent recovery centers.
Oklahoma also distributed nearly 30,000 iPads equipped with crisis
de-escalation tools to first responders and others.
Georgia provides "Peer2Peer Warm Lines" offering 24-hour support from
trained specialists to people facing challenges who may not require emergency
response.
Content for this Post is provided by Florida News
Connection, a Bureau of Public News Service.
Public News Service is a member of the The Trust Project.
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