Contact:
Communications Workplace
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
850-245-4111
Tallahassee, Fla. — At the moment Final week, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Girl Casey DeSantis announced additional mental health initiatives which can be obtainable for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Florida Department of Health (DOH).
Accessible now, DCF has launched the Household Assist Line, which connects people and households who had been impacted by Hurricane Ian with friends who had been impacted and have recovered from Hurricane Michael. Volunteers from the Panhandle will use their private experiences to supply assist, recommendation and a serving to hand to victims of Hurricane Ian. These friends have lived by comparable loss and are nicely acquainted with the highway to rebuilding that Southwest Florida is dealing with. Volunteers will even assist direct Hurricane Ian survivors to sources which can be obtainable on the state, federal and native degree, together with details about bridge loans, roof restore, catastrophe unemployment help and catastrophe SNAP advantages. People who want to speak with a Household Assist Peer can name 888-850-SWFL.
DOH and DCF have additionally partnered with BetterHelp to supply three months of free on-line remedy to these impacted by Hurricane Ian. BetterHelp is the most important on-line remedy platform that matches licensed, licensed therapists with individuals who search assist and assist.
To entry these free providers, Floridians can go to betterhelp.com/voucher and use code: HurricaneIan. BetterHelp will then immediate the person to reply questions that permits them to be matched with a licensed psychological well being skilled.
Floridians are resilient and these instruments will generate conversations to interrupt the stigma of psychological well being and encourage impacted residents to hunt assist. Following Hurricane Michael, DOH carried out a survey to evaluate psychological well being impacts within the panhandle. This survey discovered that:
- Practically 50% reported nervousness
- Practically 40% reported melancholy
- Practically 35% reported bother sleeping or nightmares
The State of Florida is offering entry to psychological well being counseling all through Hurricane Ian restoration efforts to mitigate the event of psychological well being points amongst impacted communities, together with survivors and first responders. By offering instruments and sources that construct resiliency, communities are supported to get again on their toes.
DCF and DOH have additionally developed materials with information to be distributed in impacted areas on the right way to deescalate a annoying scenario in actual time. It consists of data on the Household Assist Line, and a QR Code totally free BetterHelp providers. Neighborhood companions are inspired to help with distribution of their areas.
For those who or somebody you already know is experiencing suicidal ideation, name 988 to be linked to the Nationwide Suicide Hotline. In case you are experiencing or see a life-threatening emergency, please name 911.
In regards to the Florida Division of Well being
The division, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to guard, promote and enhance the well being of all folks in Florida by built-in state, county and group efforts.
Observe us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For extra details about the Florida Division of Well being please go to www.FloridaHealth.gov.
