Community Leaders “Inspired” and “Informed” by JWB Children’s Summit

On Friday, February 14th, JWB hosted the annual Children’s Summit at St. Petersburg College with the theme “For the Love of Kids.” More than 200 community leaders, key influencers, and child advocates gathered to celebrate JWB’s impact and shared commitment to the children of Pinellas County. 

JWB Board Chair Judge Patrice Moore welcomed attendees, recognized board members, and shared briefly what JWB means to her. CEO Beth Houghton followed with highlights from 2024, noting that JWB-funded programs served nearly 80,000 children and families and partnered with dozens of organizations in initiatives and campaigns. 

Attendees then viewed the FY2024 Annual Report Video showcasing JWB’s investments, including 12 new programs aligned with strategic goals, expanded funding to stabilize the workforce, and increased outreach to families. The video also highlighted JWB’s rapid response to emergent needs, such as funding gaps and hurricane relief, as well as the strength of its partnerships in driving positive outcomes for kids. 

Beth and St. Petersburg College President Dr. Tonjua Williams then led an interactive Kahoot! game, testing attendees on key topics from the video. The top scorers included Jesse Turtle (SPC Foundation), Hunter Parkinson (6th Judicial Court), and JWB Board member PCS Superintendent Kevin Hendrick. 

To conclude, attendees shared words describing their reactions to what they learned from the summit, forming a word cloud that included “informed, educated, inspired, and hopeful.”  

Each guest also received a children’s book to give away in honor of International Give a Book Day, thanks to Brianna Ray and Elicia Hinson, who curated several age-appropriate selections. A Grade Level Reading resource table, set up by Brianna, provided additional books and information. 

JWB extends gratitude to the Pinellas County School Board, government officials, partner agencies, board members, staff, and volunteers who contributed to this successful event. 

To view our 2024 Annual Report Video, click here

To view more event photos, click here

100 Advocates for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Join Forces at the Florida Capital

Mental health and substance abuse continues to be a serious concern in Florida. Data published last month in Forbes puts the state among the top in the country when it comes to the percent of adults who have a mental health disorder, but can’t afford a doctor.

Melanie Brown-Woofter, the president and CEO of the Florida Behavioral Health Association, says mental health touches everything.

“We know that one in 5 of us will have a mental health disorder, and that almost every family has been touched by substance use in our state and in our nation,” she said. “It is something that we have to work towards. It literally takes a village — everything from crisis care to residential to recovery supports. All of those pieces have to fit together.”

As mental health and substance abuse treatment providers gathered at the Capitol Wednesday to mark Behavioral Health Awareness Day, Brown-Woofter gave thanks to state leaders for doing more to remove the stigma from addiction and mental illness.

“We’re able to normalize the conversation, so that people can talk about their mental health or their substance use disorder, and it becomes commonplace,” she said. “Many years ago, there was such stigma that if the conversation began, people would turn their head or leave the room. Or they had to whisper, they couldn’t talk about it.”

But there’s plenty of work left to do. Data published last month by Forbes shows Florida has the fourth-highest percentage of adults who have a mental health disorder but can’t see a doctor due to cost …

…and the seventh highest percentage of adults with a mental illness who do not receive any treatment.

(The Worst States For Mental Health Care 2025; Jan. 2, 2025)

Copyright 2025 WFSU

Read the article as originally published at https://www.wqcs.org/wqcs-news/2025-02-13/100-advocates-for-mental-health-and-substance-abuse-treatment-join-forces-at-the-florida-capital

Hurricanes Left Tampa Bay’s Immigrant Community Reeling. Here’s How Some are Recovering.

A vibrant immigrant community in Clearwater experienced some of the worst flooding in the area. Local groups are stepping in to ensure they’re getting the right resources.

In the crowded halls of St. Petersburg College’s Clearwater campus, a young father sits with his head down, filling out a hurricane relief form.

Prácticamente todo este lo perdí ahí durante el huracán (I lost practically everything in the hurricane),” he said.

He’s asked WUSF to call him by his nickname Matias because he’s in the country without documentation.

Matias is one of hundreds of Standard Apartment residents who lost their home to floodwaters from Hurricane Milton, one of the worst storms to hit the Tampa Bay region in a century.

Even though the complex itself isn’t in a flood zone, residents there say they’ve always had flooding issues. The area is shaped like a bowl, according to community advocates. And during Milton’s downpour, a nearby pond overflowed and burst through a retention wall.

More than 500 residents had to be rescued that night.

Matias returned home in the early morning hours on Oct. 10, and found that four feet of water filled his apartment.

“Anything touching the floor, my shoes, my clothes were all wet,” he said. “Even my car, all of my tools for work, everything was gone.”

Matias works as an electrician about 40 minutes away from home. He’s been making due driving a relative’s car and had to buy a new set of tools in order to continue making a living.

He, his wife and three-month old son have been couch surfing with friends and family, which he’s thankful for, but it’s getting harder to manage each day, he admits.

That’s why he’s come to the college campus this Thursday night where several local nonprofits have set up a legal aid clinic. Here, he’s able to receive help in Spanish and ask what resources are available to him.

For those like Matias, options are limited. Four years ago, he crossed into the U.S. through the southern border from Mexico. He doesn’t have a Social Security number or legal work authorization, barring him from receiving federal aid like FEMA or unemployment benefits.

For now, he hopes to rely on local charities and aid groups. Matias was able to submit a FEMA application on behalf of his three-month old son, who was born here, but is still waiting on a response.

Because of his immigration status, he was wary of accepting help from certain groups. The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization that helps people through natural disasters, offered shelter to residents after Milton hit.

No había mucha confianza. (We didn’t have much trust in going there),” said Matias.

And they weren’t the only ones who felt that way.

“While I didn’t live through the flood, my friends, they lost everything. And they risked their lives that night. I can’t imagine how they lived through that moment.”

Officials with local nonprofits that had stepped in to help after the storm said they witnessed multiple families who refused assistance and shelter because they were afraid government agencies would take down their information.

“They were taken by a bus to an unfamiliar location, and it looked very intimidating and institutional,” said David Hale, executive director of Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, which serves the Clearwater area. “So the lack of communication and the lack of cultural understanding resulted in a failure there to provide the emergency services.”

Some who couldn’t find shelter with friends or family returned to water-logged homes that had no running water or electricity.

“We found families with small children and infants living in those conditions. It was the only choice many of them felt they had,” said Hale.

‘Like a bomb exploded’

Karla is another former Standard resident who lost her second floor apartment due to mold that crept up from the unit below. We’re not disclosing her last name since she is also undocumented.

Karla came to the U.S. from Mexico over 20 years ago for more opportunities for herself and for her children, she said. She and her husband lived in the Clearwater complex for over a decade raising their two daughters.

Familiar with the area’s flooding issues, her family stayed with friends the night of the hurricane. When they returned several days later, Karla couldn’t believe the destruction.

The Standard Apartments saw about six feet of flooding during Hurricane Milton. Many first floor apartments were filled with water and became uninhabitable.

“It was like a bomb exploded and destroyed everything,” she said through a translator.

Piles of furniture and household goods were strewn outside. Broken glass littered the patios where floodwaters surged into first floor apartments. Early memories of her children playing in the complex welled up, and Karla became emotional.

“While I didn’t live through the flood, my friends, they lost everything. And they risked their lives that night. I can’t imagine how they lived through that moment,” she said.

Outside their apartment door, on the second floor, lay a child’s life jacket and a package of cookies, said Valeria, Karla’s daughter.

“You can tell someone had spent the night there,” she said.

Karla understands why people are afraid to seek help. As an immigrant, “you’re afraid that you’re going to be asked for a document, for a piece of paper, or for a number. Sometimes that fear is justified, sometimes it comes from a lack of knowledge.”

After decades of living in the U.S., Karla said she’s learned how to navigate the risks.

“I was always interested in learning what I could do for myself, for my children and family. Even though I am an immigrant, I have rights as a human and as a person,” she said.

Her children are U.S. citizens so they were able to apply for FEMA aid for the family. And her daughter works for a church that hosted one of the Red Cross shelters in the first few weeks after Hurricane Milton.

“We told people we were going to be taking them to the church, that there was food, that there was shelter, and, really, just trying to change the narrative — that that was a good option.”

Amanda Markiewicz, Hispanic Outreach Center

The two had returned to The Standard Apartments to try and convince some of the families there that those resources were safe.

But what they found was that “a lot of them were just not wanting to go, not wanting to accept the help,” said Valeria.

And it’s not hard to imagine why. Valeria explains, “there’s that fear, you know, I guess you kind of risked everything to come here. Now they can easily take that away from you — that kind of fear.”

Local aid groups step in to help

Amanda Markiewicz is with the group Hispanic Outreach Center, a nonprofit that has been in the community for over twenty years.

“In a time like this, there’s a lot of barriers for anybody. When you add in limited English, or you add in immigration status, or you add in multiple people in a home that might not be on a lease, it opens up for a lot more barriers,” said Markiewicz.

The Center partnered with other trusted groups like Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center to canvas the area.

“We told people we were going to be taking them to the church, that there was food, that there was shelter, and, really, just trying to change the narrative — that that was a good option,” said Markiewicz.

“We have staff who are dedicated to providing services to these communities and understand the dynamics and the barriers that they face on a day-to-day basis, let alone with a crisis.”

Markiewicz said they were able to quell some of the worries residents had. They even organized transportation from the shelters to schools for families who had school-aged children.

“It was a lot of coordinated effort that took place,” said Markiewicz.

But the road ahead for many of these families is a long one.

About half of The Standard Apartment’s nearly 500 units were affected by the storm. Most residents are looking elsewhere for housing, afraid that another disaster like this could hit again next year.

Karla and her family are staying with a friend, and are in the midst of their search for a new home. But rent is high, especially with so many other victims of the hurricane looking for a new place.

Valeria said she’s picked up a second job working retail. Her younger sister is in college, so she’s also helping to pay for her tuition.

Matias finishes filling out his form in the noisy hallway. He hopes that some aid will come to his family, mainly because he has to take care of his child. While they’ve lost almost all their belongings, he says those “material things can be replaced.”

Tenemos salud y eso es lo importante (We have our health and that’s the most important thing),” said Matias.

JWB CEO and SPC President Discuss Supporting Pinellas Children and Families in New Podcast

St. Pete College President Dr. Tonjua Williams recently sat down with Beth Houghton, CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB), for an eye-opening discussion about supporting Pinellas children and families on an episode of the “Standing in the Gap” podcast.

During an engaging and inspiring conversation, Houghton shared JWB’s mission to create brighter futures by focusing on critical areas like early childhood development, mental health, and family well-being.

From the astonishing fact that 80% of brain development occurs by age three to JWB’s innovative programs that bridge gaps in childcare, education, and wellness, this episode dives deep into what it takes to nurture a thriving community.

Houghton also shared actionable advice for pursuing a purpose-driven career for future leaders passionate about child welfare, community leadership, or personal growth.

This conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss: Watch the episode below to explore how bold leadership and strategic initiatives are transforming lives one child at a time.

New Food Pantry Opens in South St. Pete

A community in South St. Pete is celebrating the addition of a much-needed neighborhood resource.

The Jordan Park Community Food Pantry officially opened Thursday afternoon. Nonprofit leaders, city officials and Jordan Park residents attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. 

The Jordan Park community dates back to 1939 and is credited as the City of St. Petersburg’s first African American housing community, and the oldest federal housing project in Florida. Jordan Park was recently redeveloped by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) in a $93 million renovation, creating 206 family housing units.

The new food pantry sits inside a former maintenance storage area at the back of the community’s clubhouse at the corner of Langdon Ave. S. and Jordan Park St. S. The food pantry soft-launched a few weeks ago, and an SPHA staffer said they have been serving nearly 100 people every Thursday when it opens for business.

“This food pantry represents more than just access to essential groceries; it symbolizes our commitment to creating opportunities for stronger communities,” said Michael Lundy, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. “I would describe this community as a family who happens to live close to one another. A lot of people have known each other for quite some time. They lived in this community before we did the renovation and they’re back here after, so they consider themselves family.”

Jordan Park resident Janie Morris said she’s been spreading the word about the new food pantry to her neighbors, encouraging them to take advantage of the community resource.

Kiara Lovett, Director of Social Services for the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, said the idea first came from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. Participants were looking for a way to give back as part of their after-school food program. After surveying the residents, Lovett realized the need was there and gave the nonprofit the green light to move forward. Now, a handful of teens volunteer every week, stocking, organizing and operating the food pantry.

“The pantry being on-site really eliminates a lot of barriers,” Lovett said. “It makes my heart warm, seeing the smiles on our residents’ faces and seeing the youth come through with their parents. It’s really rewarding.”

Other partners supporting the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry include St. Pete Free Clinic, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Dole, Partnership for a Healthier America and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation.

Corey Givens Jr., Council Member-elect for District 7 and a Jordan Park native, gave an impassioned speech at Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“For far too long, Jordan Park was overlooked, overshadowed and ignored. I am elated to see this making a positive impact here,” Givens said. “It is unfair and unethical for more than 20,000 residents – more than 5,000 children – to live without access to quality, healthy, nutritious food. It is wrong for parents to have to work two and three jobs just to put food on their table for their children, and it is not right for our seniors to go to bed hungry. I promise that as a partner of yours on the St. Pete City Council, we will do all we can to keep this pantry full.”

Lovett said that in addition to serving the residents of Jordan Park, the food pantry has opened its doors to those living in the neighboring communities, as well. The Jordan Park Community Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 3-5 p.m.

Read the article and watch the news segment as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/new-food-pantry-opens-in-south-st-pete/

Local Organizations hold Food Distribution Site after Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Organizations all over the Tampa Bay Area are coming together to help people in need after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The Juvenile Welfare Board and St. Pete Free Clinic distributed food to hundreds of people Saturday morning.

“It was a tremendous impact. We pretty much lost everything that we have,” said Ladarius Hollowell.

“In the 27 years that we’ve lived here, we have never experienced this type of devastation,” said Felicia Cannistraro.

Families all over the Tampa Bay Area are struggling to pick up the pieces after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“I have relatives that lost their homes from the flooding in the Northeast St. Pete area and you know, just damage and devastation,” said Cannistraro.

Many people are displaced and said having food is a blessing.

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“Between prices of inflation, and then the availability, it’s just been hard to get stuff, so we are happy that this is available to us,” said Cannistraro.

The St. Pete Free Clinic and the Juvenile Welfare Board are teaming up to help alleviate some stress.

“For those who lost days of work, and are struggling to have enough for November rent, much less food, and the things they need for their home, is especially important right now,” said CEO of Juvenile Welfare Board, Beth Houghton.

The organizations are holding food and hygiene product distributions. One happened Saturday morning and according to organization leaders, it was one of the largest distributions they’ve seen in years.

We distributed a lot of food, but this is far greater,” said Houghton.

The line stretched for roughly a mile with people who have lost their homes and belongings.

“It does make me a little emotional seeing how much people have lost,” said Hollowell.

Houghton said she expects to see a similar turnout during future distribution events over the next few months.

“You often see tears. You often receive blessings. Very often we hear ‘I don’t know what I would have done without this,'” said Houghton.

Residents said they are thankful for the volunteers and organizations that are helping them through this difficult time.

“That also makes me emotional seeing people coming into help strangers for no reason. It means a lot,” said Cannistraro.

Read the article and watch the news segment as originally published at https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/local-organizations-hold-food-distribution-site-after-hurricanes-helene-and-milton

Juvenile Welfare Board Holds a Hurricane Food Drive-Thru for Residents

Pinellas County residents who are still struggling after hurricanes Helene and Milton are getting some help from their community.

The Juvenile Welfare Board held a food drive through for those who lost everything in the storms in Tampa Bay’s Nick Volturo shows us how the community is banding together in a display of resilience as so many work to recover.

“Compassion in action in Clearwater. These kind of events really help people get food in their house to feed their families, an army of volunteers distributing food to those impacted by the hurricanes.”

“We lost all our food in our freezer and in our refrigerator; we got a side by side. We lost everything in it.” Herbert’s lived in Florida for more than 40 years and never witnessed this type of devastation: “Piles of rubble that people have put out there from their homes. It’s crazy, crazy.”

Some arrived early cars backing up for miles waiting for their turn at the table.

“They lost everything that was in their refrigerator,” said JWB CEO Beth Houghton. They lost days of work so they can’t easily go replenish it.”

Each car received about 50 pounds of food including meats with fresh fruits and vegetables.

“When it comes to eating, keeping the family going, these are wonderful.”

They also handed out both adult and infant hygiene items, like shampoo and diapers.

“It’s really helpful for the community because a lot of people have kids. Some people have like four or five kids and they really need this stuff.”

And for many here events like these are a life preserver.

“People like this, doing what they can for other people. It’s wonderful.”

Helping turn that grief into gratitude.

“Thank you for coming out. Have a good one.”

“It’s an amazing community. And it’s awful, but it’s heartening to see how much people are helping each other.”

The Juvenile Welfare Board will be hosting more pop-up drive through events. You can find a list of those on their website or Facebook page.

View the news segment as originally published at https://www.wtsp.com/video/news/local/pinellascounty//67-6edf3ee4-e2c5-491b-ba2b-5e58ad3aaacc or on Youtube

Free Fundraiser Concert in St. Pete Beach, Relief Events in Clearwater, University Area

This weekend brings more ways to help out and get help as the Tampa Bay community recovers from the double punch of Helene and Milton.

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber and City of St. Pete Beach present a free concert by local Heart cover band Brigade from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, October 25th at Horan Park in St. Pete Beach. The free concert brings events and live music back to the beach and serves as a fundraiser for workers who have been displaced from their jobs at beach businesses because of the hurricanes impacting our beach businesses. There’s a silent auction featuring items like hotel stays and gift cards, a raffle, food and beverages available for purchase and the option to donate to hurricane relief efforts. 

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber also has volunteer opportunities to help local businesses and residents and has set up a GoFundMe page for hospitality workers now unemployed because of the storms.

For more information, go to Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber hurricane resources

Juvenile Welfare Board, St. Pete Free Clinic event

The Juvenile Welfare Board and St. Pete Free Clinic have a drive-through mobile pantry food giveaway for families impacted by the back-to-back storms on Saturday, October 26th at the Juvenile Welfare Board parking lot, 14155 58th St. in Clearwater. The event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or until supplies run out.

The mobile food pantry will provide more than 400 families with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins/meats, dairy, eggs, cereals, canned goods and more – approximately 52 pounds of food per family. Families will also receive free hygiene items, baby items such as diapers and wipes, and mental health resources at the event.

For more information, go to Free Food for Families

University Area CDC 

The University Area Community Redevelopment Corporation continues to have daily hurricane relief resources at University Area Community Park, 14015 N. 22nd St. A comfort station with showers, restroom and laundry is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. There are food distributions for lunch at noon and dinner at 5 p.m. 

For more information, go to University Area CDC disaster relief

Read the article as originally published at https://www.83degreesmedia.com/forgood/Tampa-Bay-hurricane-relief-events-this-weekend-102524.aspx

Community Provides Resources for Madeira Beach Students Impacted by Hurricane

Despite having a school in the middle of a rebuild because of Hurricane Helene, the community is ensuring Madeira Beach students aren’t missing valuable class time.

About 230 students are signed up for the free YMCA Emergency Relief Before School Care Program.

The program, made possible by the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, and Pinellas County Schools, offers emergency relief before school care for the Madeira Beach Fundamental students.

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“What we’ve been able to accomplish here is a testament to our ability to do a public-private partnership. I mean, this would not have been possible without Harrod Properties, who donated the space for the 230 children that we have registered in the program, and then certainly the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County is funding the program, so that eliminates all of the financial barriers and costs for families to come and of course, staffing is always a challenge trying to staff a half day before school program. So we reached out to our neighboring YMCA of the Suncoast and they provided additional staff. So we’re really excited about what we’re we’re providing,” said Greater St. Petersburg YMCA President & CEO David Jezek.

Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 was damaged during the storm. Students at the schools are temporarily going to other schools in the county.

Parents can drop their children off at a location provided by Harrod Properties from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“They’re here for a half day. They get on the bus about 10:50 and 11:15, and go to their schools and finish the rest day,” he added.

Since the program’s launch on October 16, they’ve averaged 125 children participating daily.

“The response has been amazing. Actually, we were on a Zoom committee meeting, and one of my board members had just dropped off his son here and shared with our volunteers how much he appreciated that relief for him and his wife to have this care, because it is a long day, but it’s also stressful for the families,” the CEO added.

The space is available until the Christmas Holiday Break. Once Madeira Beach reopens, students will return to their normal school hours and programs; however, no anticipated reopening date has been provided at this time. Pinellas County Schools anticipates reopening in January.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/community-provides-resources-for-madiera-beach-students-impacted-by-hurricane

Tampa Bay Thrives: Five Years of Impact around Mental Health

In 2019, more than 30 community leaders, including the presidents and chief executive officers of all the major hospital systems in the Tampa Bay area, convened for two days to discuss the state of the community’s mental health.

Data from a community health assessment had revealed that despite strong programs in place, and significant investments in mental health, residents in Tampa Bay were still experiencing high levels of mental health issues. The coalition of leaders asked themselves: Why weren’t people getting better and what could they do to help their community heal?

To tackle the issue, BayCare issued a $5 million funding challenge to leaders from Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare and Florida Blue to establish a nonprofit organization focused on this area. The group, jointly, committed an initial $5.5 million to fund this new entity and tasked it with determining the best approach, and priorities, for a regional effort to improve behavioral health. Tampa Bay Thrives was born.

Unbeknownst to anyone, COVID-19 would soon strike and the mental health fallout that followed would be widely considered a second pandemic around the world. The timing was ripe for Thrives to help its community navigate the challenges of receiving help for mental health struggles by providing support and solutions based on inclusive research, thoughtful innovation and impactful programmatic work.

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Today, as it approaches its fifth anniversary, Tampa Bay Thrives has emerged as a game changer for the region in mental health for both employers and individuals in need.

Furthermore, the coalition that started Thrives remains steadfast in its commitment, serving as members of the Tampa Bay Thrives Board of Directors.

“Tampa Bay Thrives meets the community where they are at,” said Chis Majeski, senior vice president, head of private client group supervision at Raymond James and vice chair of the Tampa Bay Thrives Board of Directors. “TBT listens to community feedback; and acts based on what the community says it wants, not what the system suggests it needs. Tampa Bay Thrives has truly made an impact on a level never before seen.”

Thrives’ approach to its work has garnered headlines and accolades, with its President and CEO Carrie Zeisse receiving the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award, in January 2024.

Thrives, which is also a proud Mental Health America affiliate, has tendrils that reach diverse companies and neighborhoods across the Tampa Bay area. Its five years of impact include interactions with more than 50,000 community members at public events; 53,000 individuals taking part in online screenings to better understand their mental health; and 9.58 million people reached by Thrives’ #IYKYK anti-stigma campaign.

Other highlights include:

This year, MHA credited the dedicated efforts of Thrives for helping to increase Bell Seal Certification participation in the state of Florida. Tampa Bay Thrives’ successfully led a cohort of five local companies in completing the 2024 Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health certification. These Tampa Bay area companies are now, nationally recognized as meeting or exceeding workplace standards that promote positive mental health and well-being. Champions for Children, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, the Mosaic Company and Thrives all received certifications at the gold or platinum level.

Also in 2024, Thrives collaborated with the Bullard Family Foundation to launch a mental wellness room, called the Zen Den, at Sligh Middle Magnet School, in Tampa. Thrives designed the mental health space based on feedback from students. In the first three months of the year, 88 students participated in Zen Den programming, reporting a 2-3 point increase in mental health scores. Thrives received $250,000 in state funding to produce mental wellness rooms at three additional schools.

This past summer, Thrives continued its partnership with the Bullard Family Foundation and recruited social media influencer Travis Doodles to offer a videography camp centered around mental health. More than 80 students from across Hillsborough County applied. Twelve students were selected and, after the week-long camp, they wrote, starred in, shot and produced a series of videos about youth mental health.

The 2023 Resident Mental Health Survey, the second of its kind commissioned by Tampa Bay Thrives, found that nearly 7 in 10 residents experienced at least one poor mental health day in a recent month. Fourteen percent of respondents reported missing work, corresponding to 524,500 missed workdays a month and approximately 6.3 million missed workdays per year, across the region. Tampa Bay Thrives recently completed the third Resident Mental Health Survey, which includes additional inputs from Manatee and Sarasota County respondents.

To improve navigation for mental health services, Thrives created Let’s Talk, a free mental health navigation support line. Since its creation, Let’s Talk has served more than 5,700 Tampa Bay residents. Additionally, 684 referrals were made to local behavioral health immediate care providers via Let’s Talk, and a Let’s Talk resource database of 803 available providers was built. Eighty-five percent of Let’s Talk callers indicated they were very or exceptionally satisfied with their experience in post-call surveys, and Let’s Talk had a higher answer rate (92%) and a lower rate of abandoned calls (7.5%) than the national average in 2023.

In 2023, Thrives launched its first major anti-stigma initiative, the “If you know, you know” (#IYKYK) campaign. The real-life stories of more than 40 Tampa Bay residents highlighted a variety of mental health concerns from a diverse range of voices. These stories reached hard-to-target audiences, thanks to the authenticity of peers sharing with others.

Since 2022, Thrives has inspired nine landmarks and bridges across Tampa Bay to light up green for Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Our Board of Directors recently adopted a new vision statement: ‘We envision an emotionally healthy community where mental health is a priority and all thrive together,’” says Zeisse. “We are proud to partner with incredible companies and organizations to join our community in their journey to achieve better mental health. Together, we can ensure a better tomorrow.”

Read the article as originally published at https://tbbwmag.com/2024/10/24/tampa-bay-thrives-five-years-mental-health/