A new assessment of behavioral health needs in Central Florida showed an increase in the “average number of unhealthy mental days” in Brevard County from 3.4 per month in 2007 to 3.7 in 2010.
It also said Brevard had the highest suicide rate of the four counties in 2012, with a rate of 20.3 per 100,000 residents.
“It showed that providers believe there is a strong need for more crisis intervention and crisis stabilization services,” said Libby Donoghue, 2-1-1 Brevard executive director. She attended a presentation of the report Friday in Cocoa. “Not surprisingly, the No. 1 barrier providers cited was money.”
The assessment was conducted by the Health Council of East Central Florida for Central Florida Care Health System. CFCHS oversees mental health and substance abuse treatment paid for by the state under contract with the Department of Children and Families.
Read the full report here.
