Mental Health
TALLAHASSEE—A month after Florida Democrat Sen. Darryl Rouson celebrated his 27th year of sobriety, the upper chamber tried to create a new substance abuse center at the University of South Florida named after him. House Speaker Danny Perez says it’s emotional blackmail. Perez responded to the sweeping outrage from Gov. Ron DeSantis and Senate leaders […]
The Senate Committee on Approprations recently advanced a bill 18-0 to the chamber floor that would create alternative pathways for prosecuting defendants with mental illnesses. Sen. Jennifer Bradey (R-Fleming Island) championed SB 168, also known as the Tristan Murphy Act. Rep. Nan Cobb (R-Eustis) is sponsoring the House version of the bill (HB 1207). Tristan […]
The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced a bill on Monday that would strengthen mental health care in Florida by allowing psychiatric nurses to practice autonomously without barriers. Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) explained his bill (HB 883) to the committee. "The current law allows for advanced practice registered nurses to engage in […]
Keiser University on Tuesday joined a roundtable event to discuss the status of female veterans alongside Republican leaders Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, and state Sen. Jay Collins. Headed up by Belinda Keiser and the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, the roundtable hit on issues affecting veterans, specifically female […]
Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) – a U.S. Army combat veteran – is demanding answers from Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough after receiving calls from other veterans claiming they’ve lost access to their mental health physicians. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been a major concern for military personnel since it was recognized by the American […]
Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation known as the Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act, a bill that looks to provide early intervention and prevention services to children and adults struggling with mental health challenges. According to Rep. Castor, statistics show that over 20% of youth report “serious contemplation of suicide” […]
TALLAHASSEE, FL --- In a push toward increased protection of children, the Florida House voted on a new bill banning social media usage for children under 16. Social media platforms in violation of the bill would face a $50,000 fine per penalty, and up to $10,000 in civil damages to be paid to the minor […]
This week, Mort Elementary School announced a new partnership with Aetna to provide a bi-lingual therapist for students. Aetna Better Health has previously engaged in community projects around the state of Florida. Studies have shown that the issue of mental health has become more pressing for students and children since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Public schools […]
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) has all the more reason to appreciate the Christmas season as her Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act was recently passed into law. The bill, named after a 2020 overdose victim, was introduced by Salazar and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the […]
The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act has been signed into law. Originally cosponsored by Senate candidate and current House Legislator, Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) alongside Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), the bill sets aside $270 million over a 5 year period to reaffirm the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program. The program is dedicating […]
This week, State Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation), filed SB 828, a measure that would act as a revision to the long-standing Baker and Marchman Acts.
As Americans continue to struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of Americans has been a grave concern for state governments.