Mental Health

For years, mental health advocates have been trying to get the state to re-examine its laws around involuntary psychiatric commitment—and while the legislature has, in the past—taken some incremental steps—this year marks the biggest change yet.

A years-long effort to stop the use of seclusion and restraint on disabled children in public schools is getting closer to approval. The bill would effectively prevent school personnel from using restraints like zip ties, handcuffs and straight jackets on disabled children.

Researchers say the round-the-clock nature of storm reporting and increased exposure from phones and social media can fuel stress.

Florida is facing a shortage of mental health counselors just as experts say the need for mental health support is growing.

The organization's affiliated agencies will target human needs in the areas of housing, early learning, safety net services, health and mental health, and skills development.

Initially telehealth visits in the individual and family counseling arenas will be available and other services will likely be added before long.

Now in its pilot stage, city officials hope to expand the program to cover all such calls for service.

More than 37,000 children were sent for involuntary psychiatric exams in the 2018-19 fiscal year. The number has grown every year for the past decade. Lawmakers are aware of it. So are advocates, law enforcement and state agencies. Legislative solutions remain elusive and proposals on the Baker Act this year appear to be going nowhere. The Southern Poverty Law Center is the latest organization to call out the Baker Act’s use on children. WFSU News Director Lynn Hatter recently spoke with the SPLC’s Bacardi Jackson about the organization’s findings.

A bill to help veterans address their mental health needs has just one hurdle left to clear in both chambers before reaching a floor discussion. The measure would create a one-stop number where veterans can get everything from peer-to-peer support to service referrals.

For more than a decade Florida lawmakers have been trying to limit the use of seclusion and physical restraints on students who may act out, and for more than a decade, they’ve failed to do so. The issue, for some—is straightforward: the methods don’t work and can even cause physical and emotional harm to kids, but advancing the proposal through the process has been frustrated time and again.