Mental Health

Earlier this month there was an event at Florida Southwestern State College called ‘Normal is Overrated.’ It's essentially an effort to remove the stigma of talking about mental and behavioral health issues among teens. We talk with one of the organizers, and three of the teens who told their stories at the event.

Valerie's House, a non-profit providing grief support services to children in Florida, expands to its own home in Fort Myers.

It’s been a rough few years for the children of southwest Florida. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and a community-shattering hurricane in Ian, it’s difficult for anyone of any age to not feel the doom and gloom.These challenges paired with academic stress, pressure from social media and the looming risk of school shootings are hitting the region’s youth the hardest.

High costs for housing, food and other necessities are proving to be the Grinch of the holiday season for some in Southwest Florida.Mental health experts are sounding alarms about the rising number of people suffering a great deal of stress because of economic issues.

During Hurricane Ian a North Fort Myers riverfront dwelling that was home to adults with developmental disabilities for more than 25 years was destroyed and five adults were displaced and forced into temporary rental housing.

In the weeks after Hurricane Ian a year ago, Florida deployed the first-ever State Emergency Response Mental Health Task Force. It was comprised of mental health professionals including therapists, counselors, and massage therapists who worked directly with residents and first responders who were still in the midst of recovery. Now, almost exactly one year post-Ian, the Task Force has been deployed a second time to help people in the panhandle who were impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

The thought of enduring another storm post Hurricane Ian is stirring up a lot of emotions for Floridians. SalusCare shares ways to cope and stay focused on mental health in a positive way.

"Oh, no — please, not again" — is a sentiment it’s fair to think that many residents of Southwest Florida have been thinking and feeling as Hurricane Idalia made its way north through the Gulf of Mexico and toward the Florida peninsula. While not on the exact same track as Hurricane Ian last September, and doesn't appear to be on a path that will severely impact Southwest Florida, Idalia is coming from the same general direction and revives memories of Hurricane Ian in September of 2022.

Jack Hellmer hopes to distribute UBYou to college campuses statewide and beyond.

Mental health organizations that serve the Fort Myers Beach community are ready to lend a hand to residents. They hosted a Resiliency Roundup this week.