InfoSearched
Published -
- May 17, 2019
- 4:56 pm
Florida ranks 44th in the country for access to mental health care.
And one of the quickest and easiest ways to get it is by invoking a 1971 law called the Baker Act. It allows for anyone threatening to harm themselves or others to be involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility for 72 hours. Committed, a VICE News Tonight special report, delves into the experiences of three families in crisis, each struggling with a child’s mental illness, whose lives intersect for 72 hours at Gracepoint Wellness, one of the largest and oldest children’s crisis facilities in Florida. Isobel Yeung speaks with counselors, families, law enforcement, and school officials to investigate how the Baker Act’s patchwork system of short-term commitments is increasingly becoming a stand-in for a more comprehensive and long-term mental health care system.
What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on the mental health of Florida’s children?
A new report from the Miami Herald paints a grim picture of the state of mental health among children in Florida. According to the report, there is a crisis in the state as more and more kids are struggling with mental health issues.
The report highlights that Florida has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the country, a factor that often leads to mental health issues among children. Poverty can result in toxic stress, which can harm the development of the brain in young children. This can eventually lead to a range of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Furthermore, the report also reveals that access to mental health services for children in Florida is extremely limited, with long wait times and a shortage of mental health professionals in the state. As a result, many families are unable to get the help they need for their children.
The issue is particularly acute in rural areas of the state, where there is an acute shortage of mental health professionals. In some counties, there is only one mental health professional for every 1,000 children. This means that many children are left without access to crucial mental health services.
The report also highlights the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Florida’s children. The pandemic has disrupted education, social connections, and daily routines for children across the state, leading to a surge in mental health problems among children.
The report offers several recommendations for addressing the crisis in children’s mental health in Florida. These include expanding access to mental health services, increasing funding for mental health programs, and investing in training for mental health professionals. The report also emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of child poverty, which is a major contributor to mental health issues in children.
In conclusion, the mental health crisis among children in Florida is a serious issue that requires urgent attention. It is critical that policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders work together to ensure that children in the state have access to the mental health services and support they need to thrive. Only by addressing this crisis can we ensure a brighter future for Florida’s children.
