Mental Health in FLORIDA: The Crisis We Face

Florida continues to grapple with significant mental health challenges—both in prevalence and in access.

• Spending & Rankings
  Florida spends only about $36 per person on mental health services, the lowest in the nation. Some reports rank Florida near the very bottom in access to care, while others place it closer to the middle. Regardless, the consensus is that Florida lags behind the majority of states when it comes to meeting mental health needs.
   
• Need vs. Availability
  Only about one in five mental health needs are met by available professionals in Florida, compared to more than one in four nationally. Nearly a third of adults with mental illness report unmet treatment needs, and over 60% receive no treatment at all—higher than the national average.
   
• Youth Mental Health
  Florida’s youth are reporting increasing distress. In recent years, nearly one in three middle and high school students admitted to prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Among LGBTQ+ youth in Florida, over a third have seriously considered suicide, and nearly one in ten have attempted it.
   
• Suicide & Crisis Response
  Florida’s suicide rate is slightly below the national average, but access to crisis support remains limited. Use of the new 988 Lifeline is strikingly low, with Florida ranking among the very lowest in utilization per capita.

1. Underfunding
   Florida’s mental health funding remains among the lowest in the country, creating ripple effects across the entire system of care.
    
2. Provider Shortages
   There are far too few providers to meet the needs of Florida’s residents. Shortages are especially severe in rural areas, and high turnover among clinicians further destabilizes the workforce.
    
3. Cost & Insurance
   High treatment costs, limited insurance coverage, and under-insurance prevent many people from seeking the help they need.
    
4. Low Awareness of Crisis Services
   While resources such as the 988 Lifeline exist, awareness is low and utilization is minimal. Many residents simply don’t know where to turn in times of crisis.
    
5. Stigma & Discrimination
   Stigma continues to deter individuals from seeking treatment. LGBTQ+ youth in Florida face heightened risks due to ongoing political and social hostility, which adds another barrier to accessing supportive care.
    
6. Caregiver & Rural Strains
   Families caring for loved ones with mental illness or dementia often struggle without adequate support. Florida ranks poorly for availability of home health aides and caregiver resources, especially in rural regions with older populations.
    
7. Dementia Care Challenges
   Florida has one of the highest rates of dementia among Medicare recipients, adding even more pressure on an already strained system.
    

Creative Counseling and Wellness (CCW) is committed to bridging these gaps and showing up where it matters most.

• Inclusive, Compassionate Care
  CCW provides both in-person and virtual counseling services, making support available to people across Florida and beyond.
   
• LGBTQ+ Affirming and Accessible
  The practice explicitly embraces and affirms diversity, offering a safe space for individuals who are too often underserved or stigmatized.
   
• Overcoming Geographic Barriers
  Through telehealth and remote therapy options, CCW helps those in rural or underserved areas access quality care without the barrier of distance.
   
• Human-Centered Approach
  CCW was founded on a belief in healing through connection. Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, the practice meets clients where they are and supports their unique path toward growth and wellness.
   

In short, while Florida faces immense challenges in providing adequate mental health care, Creative Counseling and Wellness is actively offering solutions—providing accessible, affirming, and compassionate care where it’s needed most.