'Like nothing we have experienced': Panhandle kids on verge of mental health crisis

[mia]

Memories of Hurricane Michael continue to haunt families in the Florida panhandle.

...Hundreds of students have been evaluated for symptoms of mental distress and referred for further care as officials have started more closely tracking students’ mental health needs. According to a survey done through the school district in the spring, more than a third of the district’s roughly 30,000 students and staff likely have clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety or PTSD....

...The school district has also reported a handful of suicides of students’ relatives since classes resumed, and more than a hundred students have been involuntarily examined under the Baker Act just through the school system, some as young as 6....

...There are so few beds available in the region that some of the 125 students who have been Baker Acted since the storm have had to be sent as far away as Bradenton to be evaluated on a timely basis. Nearly a thousand Bay County students have been referred for more mental health services, but the district still does not have information on whether about 320 of those students, as of June 11, have continued receiving them. The shortage in staff and providers has meant some are still waiting for care, while others’ records have been backlogged by the dearth of staffers who are able to keep track of cases....

...Bay school officials have lobbied lawmakers at the state and federal levels for months, but say they have still received no financial assistance that will help them fill their hurricane-related mental health needs. They need new clinicians to hire, support for case management services and additional tools and resources for the services they do provide....

https://www.miamiherald.com/article231379353.html

[lpbk2713]

1. Trump would offer them a roll of paper towels.

It's a logical consequence. If their role models are going over the edge the kids would too.

Trump is heartless.

[msongs]

2. sounds like socialism to me nt

[tulipsandroses]

3. So sad- I'm a new Psych NP- I've spent my nursing career working in Psych/Addiction

Then I decided I wanted to further my career by becoming a nurse practitioner. I graduated in December.
I just accepted a position in Florida- its not in that part of Florida though. I'll be relocating from GA to FL.

I was struck by the many open positions for providers in Florida - the need is great in all parts of the country really. GA has a great need as well - But thats another story-

The reason I made the move is the organization that hired me qualifies for me to apply for student loan forgiveness to reduce a good portion of my student loan. Now Betsy Devos has been denying the vast majority of the applications presented - But I stand a good shot due to the area that I am relocating to has a great need for providers, and those of us with experience with addiction treatment get preference for loan forgiveness from what I hear. Fingers crossed.

I am excited about my new opportunity but I am am even more excited to dig in and get to work to help all the people in need.

I did not consider moving at first. But given the chance to reduce my student loan burden, I jumped at the chance. So not only does the government need to step in to provide the funding to provide beds, they need to attract providers- Not only with attractive salary and benefit packages - Make sure people can qualify for student loan forgiveness and you can attract more providers. There are others in my graduating class that accepted jobs in other parts of the country for the same reason.

I worked with recruiters after graduation and they still call me about jobs from all over the country - Its shameful. So many places need mental health providers. This is another crisis that our president never talks about. But he shut down the govt to get funding for his stupid wall.

[mia]

4. Thank you for your dedication.

It's a shame that you can't use your skills for those who need help.