Mental health resources are tight. Therapy dogs offer a sense of peace – WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando

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Kirstin O’Connor, Anchor
Published: May 16, 2022, 4:31 PM
Updated: May 16, 2022, 6:06 PM
Kirstin O’Connor, Anchor
ORLANDO, Fla. – Mental health experts in Central Florida have resources to share with residents, including some furry four-legged helpers.
For Dr. Beth Long, chief of Behavioral Health at Nemours Children’s Health, her work during the pandemic was from inside the hospital, caring for patients with complex medical needs in addition to mental health concerns.
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“I would say about a year in, I saw the kids and families start to struggle more than I had initially (seen),” Long said.
Data from Nemours Emergency Department from April 2021 to April 2022 showed two and a half times more pediatric patients with positive suicide screenings.
Long said even with the latest efforts to increase mental health resources for people in Central Florida, the need is overwhelming.
“Even if we hired 20 more people, it feels like this bottomless pit that we just cannot fill, and that’s the worst thing (is) saying no to people who need help,” Long said.
Residents in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties in immediate crisis can call 2-1-1 for at-home crisis care through Devereux’s mobile crisis services.
As providers navigate the national mental health crisis, helpers on four legs are walking the halls of the hospital.
“There’s one dog that’s addicted to hand sanitizer, so it’s hilarious when he comes in the rooms,” Long said.
Sheila Roberts is a volunteer with Animal Assisted Activities. She brought her dog Halo to the hospital to visit with pediatric patients.
“He cares if someone’s crying, he’s going to quietly go up to them, but if there’s a party going on, he’s going to be jumping up,” Roberts said.
Long said visits from the dogs tend to be the highlight of the day for both patients and providers.
“It does certainly break up the day, it’s probably the thing they most look forward to,” Long said.
As the work for mental healthcare providers grows, the dogs offer a sense of peace to help everyone move forward.
“It’s okay, we will rebuild,” Long said.
If you or someone you love need mental health care, we have a list of phone numbers and websites to find help.
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There are nationwide and local hotlines, support groups and other resources available to help people, even if they do not have mental health coverage with insurance. Here is a list of phone numbers, programs and groups available for the Central Florida area.
A major effort to overhaul care for people in the United States with mental health and drug problems is gaining traction in Washington.
According to a poll of parents by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 44% reported concerns about their children’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but only 16% looked for help for their kids.
According to the department, in the first year of the program, the teams responded to 956 calls and connected more than half of those people to local mental health care.
The Heart of Florida United Way recently said their 2-1-1 crisis hotline has seen an uptick in the number of working families that can’t keep up with their rent or mortgage payments.
After receiving a federal grant for almost $600,000, the Flagler County sheriff converted two sections of the jail to begin helping inmates with their addiction – if they agree to take the help.
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