The Laker/Lutz News

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Speakers address mental health needs

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Suicide prevention and partnerships between law enforcement and mental health providers were the focus of talks delivered in a Zoom Session, on May 11, hosted by Saint Leo University’s East Pasco Education Center.

Sarah Shirina, licensed supervisor of behavioral health with BayCare Behavioral Health, shared her expertise on the topic of suicide prevention, while also discussing local services that are available to help people struggling with mental illness.

Sarah Shirina addressed suicide prevention during a speaker series hosted by Saint Leo University. (Courtesy of University of Saint Leo)

Shirina is the supervisor over BayCare Behavioral Health’s mobile response team in Hernando County.

She’s also an adjunct professor for Saint Leo University, with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the university.

She began by sharing national suicide data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Suicide, unfortunately, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming over 48,000 lives.

“Suicide was the second-leading cause of death in individuals, between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death, among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54,” she said.

“There were actually 2½ times as many suicides in the United States as there were homicides, in 2018.

“So, what does that look like for our state? In 2019, Florida had a total of 3,427 deaths by suicide.

“In Florida, suicide is the eighth-leading cause of death,” Shirina said, adding the age group of 55 to 64 is most affected.

Shirina shared information derived from a research project by BayCare Behavioral Health and the University of South Florida, focusing on suicide in the Tampa Bay region.

Hot spots have been identified in all five counties in the Tampa Bay area, Shirina said.

“Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas, unfortunately, are all ahead and have higher averages of suicide deaths than the state of Florida.

“You’ll see that all of Florida had a total of 15 deaths per 100,000. And Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas are all in the 20s (per 100,000),” she said.

“Suicide affects men at a much greater percentage than it does women.

The study found that from 2010 to 2016, the suicide rate for men was twice as great as it was for women, she said.

“As our age groups increase, our military population is at a greater risk to be affected by suicide,” she added.

One of the big conclusions of the research was that Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas bear a disproportionate burden of death by suicide, in comparison to the state and surrounding counties, Shirina said.

Another conclusion: These are the same counties that bear the burden of the opioid addiction crisis.

She also noted that “80% of people who died by suicide had never had an involuntary examination, also known as the Baker Act.

“This, to me, was an alarming statistic,” Shirina said.

Among those who had undergone a Baker Act examination, 60% of those who died by suicide did so one or more years after their involuntary examination.

The study also found that middle- and older-aged white men had the highest rates of suicide, and among those who died by suicide, many had military backgrounds.

The research showed that guns were the most common method of suicide by men in all five counties.

By comparison, in Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties, more women died by overdose than did by guns, Shirina said.

“So, what can we do to help those who may be struggling?” Shirina asked.

Safety planning can help.

“When we’re safety planning with someone, we’re identifying their warning signs, their triggers and their stressful events that could lead to a crisis. We’re discussing with that person what they can do, what coping skills they can use to feel better.

“We’re discussing their support network. Who can they call when they need help? Who can they lean on?

“If possible, we often use that support network, when we’re creating these safety plans,” she said.

“We talk about what they look forward to in the future. What is important to them and what is worth living for? This is a great reminder, when someone is having these deep thoughts, that there are things in their future that they look forward to, and really, what is worth living for?

“We give a copy of this plan to them and to their support system, if possible, and we encourage them to keep it somewhere safe, so they can use it when they’re feeling upset,” Shirina said.

Dawn Wever addressed efforts being made to help mentally ill people get the help they need, instead of being locked up in jail.

Dawn Wever, the second speaker during the session, is a practicing mental health counselor.

She’s been an instructor in Crisis Intervention Team training for a number of law enforcement agencies. She’s also been a presenter on the topic at state conferences, is a former board member for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hernando and has done considerable research on collaborations between law enforcement and mental health professionals.

One in five Americans are affected by mental illness in any given year, according to statistics from NAMI, Wever said. That equates to approximately 57.7 million Americans living with mental illness. Of those, just 41% will receive treatment in any given year.

Research also shows that the average length of time from initial diagnosis to the onset of treatment is 10 years, she said.

She shared the story of the Memphis Police Department Crisis Intervention Team, which in later years came to be known as the Memphis Model.

The model stemmed from a 1987 incident in which police officers were called to an area of public housing in Memphis, where a young man was threatening with a knife, she said. Police officers ordered him to put down the knife. He refused. Eventually, police opened fire and the man was killed, she said.

“The mayor of Memphis turned to local advocates from NAMI and enlisted police, community mental health professionals, university leaders, hospital administrators, church officials to find a new approach to working with persons with mental illness, who are in crisis,” she said.

The approach involves a 40-hour, weeklong training for officers, deputies, detention personnel and dispatch, as well, regarding the recognition and understanding of signs and symptoms of mental illness, and focuses on verbal, de-escalation techniques, said Wever, who holds a master of arts/psychology from Saint Leo University.

Encounters between police and the mentally ill began increasing after the deinstitutionalization of psychiatric facilities began happening in the 1980s and 1990s, she said.

The expectation was that community-based mental health care facilities would provide treatment to those individuals released from psychiatric hospitals. Instead, county jails have become the largest mental health facilities in the country, added Wever, who has been in private practice since 2012.

The Rand Corporation estimated in 2020 that 15% of the men and 31% of the women incarcerated across the country have a serious and persistent mental illness, Wever said.

According to NAMI estimates, at least 400,000 currently behind bars in the United States suffer from some type of mental illness, Wever added. The organization also estimates that 25% to 40% of all mentally ill Americans will be incarcerated at some point in their lives.

She told Zoom listeners about a mental health unit operated by the San Antonio (Texas) Police Department .

“That’s regarded as one of the best law enforcement-based mental health units in the country,” she said.

“It was established in 2008 and to date, they have maintained zero use of force in a mental health call for service,” Wever said.

Shirina and Wever gave the final two presentations during a Social Services Speaker Series, which began on April 13.

Besides being informative, the series was intended to give participants exposure to a wide range of career opportunities in the helping professions.

To find out more about Saint Leo University’s East Pasco Education Center, email Derek Saunier, center director, at  or call 352-588-7451.

Warning signs of suicide

  • Increased alcohol and drug use
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Withdrawal from friends, family and community
  • Dramatic mood swings
  • Impulsive or reckless behavior
  • Collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon
  • Giving away possessions
  • Tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts
  • Saying goodbye to friends and family

Suicidal behaviors are a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one exhibits these behaviors, seek immediate help from a health care provider or call 911.

If you are unsure, a licensed mental health professional can help assess.

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Suicide Myths
Sarah Shirina, licensed supervisor of behavioral health with BayCare Behavioral Health, discussed some myths about suicide during a recent Zoom presentation hosted by the University of Saint Leo.

Here’s an excerpt from what she shared:

Myth: Talking about suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide attempts.

Fact: Talking about suicide provides the opportunity for communication. Fears that are shared are more likely to diminish.

Myth: People who talk about suicide never attempt or die by suicide.

Fact: Talking about suicide can be a plea for help, and it can be a late sign in the progression toward a suicide attempt. Those who are most at risk will show other signs, apart from talking about suicide.

Myth: If a person attempts suicide and survives, they will never make a further attempt.

Fact: A suicide attempt is regarded as an indicator of further attempts. It is likely that the level of danger will increase with each further suicide attempt. Just because someone has attempted suicide previously does not mean they are no longer at risk of attempting in the future.

Myth: Once a person has suicidal intent, there is no way of stopping them.

Fact: This is so far from the truth because suicides can be prevented. People can be helped. Suicidal crises can be relatively short-lived. Immediate practical help, such as staying with the person, encouraging them to talk and helping them build plans for the future can avert an intention to attempt or die by suicide. Such immediate help is valuable at the time of a crisis, but appropriate counseling also will be needed.

Need help?
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
Call 2-1-1 for additional resources.

Want to help?
BayCare offers free Mental Health First Aid Training. To find out more, call 800-878-5470.

Published June 09, 2021

NAMI chapters get a boost from grant

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In its continued efforts to improve access to mental health services, the BayCare Health System recently awarded a $100,000 grant to the four National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates in the Tampa Bay area.

The grant allows the chapters to collaborate on an awareness campaign to reach across the Tampa Bay area, as well as to meet the unique needs of the Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk county NAMI organizations, according to a news release.

The mission of NAMI is advocacy, education, support and public awareness, so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The mental health service organization provides free support groups and education courses to individuals and their families by supplying resources to local behavioral health agencies, and by sharing experiences during presentations to corporations, faith organizations, community groups and others, the release says.

The affiliates in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties each will receive $25,000, while Pasco County requested and received $21,928. Each chapter requested money to meet needs specific to that area, and each also contributed more than $7,700 of its grant money for the awareness campaign, “You Are Not Alone.”

The campaign will consist of direct mail and social media, with the goal of reaching those who feel alone during this time of social isolation and physical distancing, to spread the word that help is available.

Published April 07, 2021

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

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NAMI/Pasco County — part of the grassroots National Alliance on Mental Illness — is a 33-year-old organization that provides free advocacy, education, support and outreach for individuals with mental health conditions.

In the last year, it has named its first full-time executive director, Debbie Proulx.

And, the organization’s growth has been at warp speed.

It aims to reach all those who need help — a lofty ambition, for sure.

NAMI/Pasco is supported solely by private donations or grants.

Debbie Proulx is executive director of NAMI/Pasco County, part of the grassroots National Alliance on Mental Illness. (Courtesy of Debbie Proulx)

It hosts fundraisers.

It has a vision for a NAMI building, where meetings could be held and real-time aid could be provided.

Since Proulx’s arrival, the organization went from having one group meeting per week to having meetings every day of the week.

In 2019, 20 people participated in group meetings. Last year, there were 360.

“And that doesn’t count the emails, the texts, the referrals, the phone calls that we get,’’ said Proulx (whose name rhymes with “true’’). “We are marketing our services. We’re putting out a lot of educational materials, but we’re still not able to help everyone. The need in our area is so great. But we are growing, and we will be able to help more and more.’’

Proulx said NAMI/Pasco is constantly seeking to partner with community organizations, such as churches and youth groups, while finding community members to participate. Its board of directors includes community members from hospitals and civic organizations. Trained volunteers are certified to administer the various programs.

“We are trying to fill in the gaps,’’ Proulx said. “COVID-19 has had a major impact, obviously. We have Zoom programs, but some of the senior citizens don’t have technology, or they are afraid of it. “We have one in-person meeting to help cover that.

“We really want to make sure that people who aren’t being helped know of our service. Sometimes, people don’t have insurance. Sometimes, there’s a wait list of up to six months to see a therapist. “Even though we don’t provide actual therapy, we’re a great placeholder with our programs and support groups until someone can get to see a therapist.

“When we get calls, we refer them to a therapist, giving them three names at random. But, we understand the wait can be very long. In our support groups, you can find like-minded people going through the same thing. Our group members are so open and welcoming. People have told us, ‘This is like a family I’ve chosen.’ ”

What kind of assistance is provided by NAMI/Pasco?
One group member, wishing to be identified by the initials M.M., said the help has been immeasurable.

“NAMI/Pasco literally saved my life,’’ M.M. wrote in an email.

M.M. wrote about being taken in by the group and finding a quick fit.

“(Proulx) welcomed me and treated me like a family member,’’ M.M. wrote. “I have never felt more like I belonged in my life. … Now we have so many groups on Zoom (and) they are the highlight of my day. For many of us, they are the only reason we get out of bed on most days during COVID. I think that many of us would have a deep slide if not for these groups.

“I honestly can’t say enough good things about them. … They deeply care (and) that can’t be faked.’’

Proulx said she is heartened by the feedback.

“People come to us, get into a group the same day and in a week’s time, they’re a completely different person,’’ Proulx said. “They have hope again. It doesn’t mean they no longer need to be in therapy. It means that they’re safe until they’re able to get together (with a therapist). I’ve had people say, ‘I was thinking of suicide. But after coming here, that’s no longer a thought.’ So obviously, that makes you feel like we’re making a difference.

“My personal goal is to have a building where we can do drop-ins, where we can be immediately available for crisis. We can’t get that done right now — and COVID doesn’t help — but it’s in our future. But, what we are doing now is providing as many different programs as we possibly can.’’

NAMI/Pasco County can be reached by email at  or , or by phone at 727-994-9623.

NAMI/Pasco County offerings:

  • Zoom support groups for those with any mental health condition — Mondays, 3 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays, 6 p.m.
  • In-person walk and talk, Veterans Memorial in Hudson — Tuesdays, 8 a.m.
  • In-person support and friendship, Veterans Memorial in Hudson — Tuesdays, 9 a.m.
  • Zoom support groups for those with a loved one who has a mental health condition — first and third Thursday of every month, 6 p.m.
  • Zoom chat for everyone — Sundays, 6 p.m.
  • Zoom Peer-to-Peer — Free, eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who want to better understand themselves and their recovery, Saturdays beginning in February, 10 a.m. to noon (registration required).
  • Zoom Family to Family — Free, eight-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. Saturdays beginning in February, 1 to 3 p.m. (registration required).
  • Basics on Demand — Free, six-session online education for parents, caregivers and other family members who provide care for youth age 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms (registration required, start any time).

By Joey Johnston

Published January 20, 2021

Places you can turn to for help in Pasco, Hillsborough counties

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Pick up paper unemployment forms
Both Hillsborough and Pasco counties are handing out paper unemployment forms at specific libraries.

Hillsborough County
The location near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area is at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. The library’s drive-thru will be open seven days a week, from 9:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once completed, residents also can drop off the forms at either drive-through, and library staff will mail the documents for them.

Pasco County
Printed unemployment forms will be available just outside the entrance to these libraries, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

  • Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes
  • Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City

If you’re unable to visit a library in person and would like to request a blank application form by mail, please contact the library at "> or through the “Ask A Librarian” feature at PascoLibraries.org.

Once completed, residents can mail the form to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

For more information about Pasco County Libraries, including the library catalog, E-content,  programs, events and links to all Pasco County Library branches, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Hillsborough County emergency help
As the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) fallout continues, Hillsborough County officials are reminding residents about assistance available to help people meet their food needs.

Here is a look at some programs:

  • Hillsborough residents age 60 and older can apply for food assistance through Hillsborough County Aging services. There is no income requirement to participate in the federally funded program. To find out more, call (813) 2727-5250.
  • Feeding Tampa Bay is offering drive-thru distribution of free, pre-packaged groceries to Hillsborough County residents in need. Distribution is on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., in Tampa. Check Feeding Tampa Bay’s website before the events, to be sure there have been no changes. To find out about other food assistance programs and information, visit FeedingTampaBay.org, or call (813) 254-1190.
  • Tampa YMCA Veggie Van is distributing free pre-packaged bags of produce in several neighborhoods in Hillsborough County. No ID, paperwork or pre-screening is required to receive the food. Learn more, visit Tampa Veggie Van on Facebook.
  • SNAP recipients across the state starting April 21 will be able to use EBT cards to make eligible food purchases from Walmart and Amazon online.

Pasco Planning and development open online
Pasco County’s planning and development department is only accepting electronic submittals via its online portals. It is not accepting hard copy application packages, hard copy re-submittals or checks.

All project information must be uploaded in Accela and all payments must be made online via e-check ($1.99 fee) or credit card (2.65% fee) through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal.

To communicate with the department, reach out to a specific staff member, via email or telephone. You can email general questions to , or call (727) 847-8142.

Tips for reducing stress
Here are some suggestions from the National Alliance on Mental Illness to help reduce potential stress and anxiety, as the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic disrupts our daily lives.

Manage how you consume information
Equip yourself with information from credible, reputable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). See “Basic information” section for more links.

Be selective about how you consume news. It’s generally a good idea to stay engaged and informed. Having some limits on your news consumption can help:

  • Watching or listening to the same news constantly can increase stress. Reading can be an easier medium to control how much and what kind of information you’re absorbing.
  • Set limits on when and for how long you consume news and information, including through social media. It may help you to choose a couple of 15-minute blocks each day when you will check news/social media and limit your news consumption to that time.
  • False information spreads very easily on social media and can have serious consequences for individual and public health. Always verify sources and make sure they are reputable, especially before sharing anything.

Follow healthy daily routines as much as possible
Your daily habits and routines can help you feel more in control of your own well-being.

Even simple actions can make a difference:

  • Make your bed
  • Get dressed
  • Connect with loved ones
  • Move your body
  • Make time for breaks
  • If possible, take regular short breaks during work or between shifts. During these breaks, go outside and engage in physical activity if you can.
  • Practice good hygiene, especially by cleaning your hands
  • Get enough regular sleep, it is critical for your immune system
  • Eat nutritious food as much as possible, especially fruits and vegetables

Published April 22, 2020

At the intersection of law enforcement, mental health

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An ‘All hands on deck approach’ is needed to address the nation’s mental health crisis.

That means greater levels of state and federal funding, and enhanced collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral practitioners.

At least that was the message delivered by a group of experts during a recent criminal justice panel discussion titled “The Intersection of Law Enforcement and Mental Health.”

Speakers focused on the broad array of challenges facing today’s criminal justice professionals and the current trends, as well as future initiatives that shape law enforcement’s engagement when dealing with mental health issues.

Panelists underscored the significance of the problem on a national scale.

More than 100 students, faculty, law enforcement officials and community members gathered for the Oct. 7 discussion, hosted by Saint Leo University.

There’s no question, the challenges are far-reaching.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese introduces an Oct. 7 criminal justice panel discussion at Saint Leo University. Panelists, from left: Dr. Christopher Cronin, professor of psychology; Dr. Moneque Walker-Pickett, associate department chair of criminal justice and professor of criminal justice; Michelle Allen, instructor of criminal justice; Kim Senger, social work professional; and, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco. (Courtesy of Mary McCoy, Saint Leo University)

Approximately 43.8 million adults in the United States experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

The organization also reports 46% of Americans will suffer a mental illness in their lifetime.

Panelist Dr. Christopher Cronin, a Saint Leo professor of psychology, cited an American Psychological Association report that shows there are now 42,000 suicides annually in the U.S. That marks the highest rate in 28 years, and is up 24% percent since 1999.

“This is clearly an epidemic,” Cronin said.

For law enforcement, it has made a tough job even tougher, as officers work the frontlines of the mental health crisis.

One study shows that a quarter of the people shot by police are in a mental health crisis at the time when the use of force occurred, Cronin said.

However, Cronin added, law enforcement is not necessarily to blame.

“They have been forced to do a job — become mental health professionals — for which they have not been trained,” the professor said. “Officers are trained to take control of a situation and to give lawful commands, however, a person in a mental health crisis cannot conform their behavior and a situation escalates.”

Some noted incidents have included “suicide by cop.”

This phrase refers to a situation in which an individual deliberately behaves in a threatening manner, with intent to provoke a lethal response from a public safety or law enforcement officer.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, another panelist, understands the challenges facing his deputies.

Law enforcement seeks to mitigate threat situations with bullhorns and less lethal devices, but encounters quickly can escalate, when a person who is suicidal attacks or threatens to attack police or citizens, Nocco said.

“Law enforcement officers are being put in a tough position,” the sheriff said. “We always say, ‘The safety of the citizens around that person and the deputy has to be paramount,’ because if they’re charging at you…the reality is — we have families, we want to go home, too.”

Michelle Allen, a Saint Leo criminal justice undergraduate instructor, reiterated points raised by her fellow panelists, Cronin and Nocco.

“How are you as an officer supposed to recognize that this person is suffering from mental illness? How can you look at somebody in the five seconds and say, ‘Oh, he’s mentally ill…’ He’s fighting you. What do you do, because you want to go home, too,” Allen said.

Before venturing into higher education, Allen spent two decades in Georgia, working for the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office and Smyrna Police Department, respectively.

Many arrests occur when people are in a mental health crisis or breakdown, and have either gone off their medications or have not yet been diagnosed, Allen said.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office estimates as many as 20% of its calls for service are mental health-related.

In an initiative to “get ahead of the curve,” the agency has established a specialized Mental Health and Threat Assessment Team (MHTAT). That team is trained to keep tabs on the county’s residents who have been referred on repeated occasions for involuntary evaluations, under the state’s Baker Act.

However, Allen noted, if a crime has been committed, the mentally ill still must be treated like other suspects, in the interest of officer and public safety.

“These people are not necessarily violent, not necessarily criminal,” she said, but she added,  “you want to definitely get that person in handcuffs…and then determine what’s going on with them.”

More frequent encounters between police and the mentally ill can be traced to the deinstitutionalization or closing of mental health hospitals in the last 60 years or so, according to Dr. Moneque Walker-Pickett, another panelist, who is the associate department chair of criminal justice and a criminal justice professor at Saint Leo.

The number of available psychiatric beds has plummeted, according to data cited by Walker-Pickett.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that today there is roughly one psychiatric bed for nearly 3,000 Americans, while in 1955, there was one bed for every 300 Americans, Walker-Pickett said.

Facility closures have resulted in an increase of people with mental illness winding up in America’s jail and prison systems, she added.

She explained: “It resulted in putting a lot of these people on the streets, it resulted in having people at home who weren’t getting the treatment that they needed, and as a result, sometimes there were interactions with law enforcement. You see that happening more and more — these interactions with law enforcement.”

Walker-Pickett also pointed out alternative treatment wasn’t appropriately provided in lieu of the closing of mental health facilities, particularly in low-income communities “who don’t have access to affordable or appropriate health care.”

Published October 16, 2019

Note: See more on this panel discussion in first story, below.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office hone crisis intervention skills

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Pasco County Sheriff’s Office deputies recently spent a week learning how to use the power of words to de-escalate situations that have the potential to turn dangerous.

In one role-play scenario, Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies Breanna Chandler and Lindsay Steward intermediated between a mother and her teenage daughter with oppositional defiant disorder.

In another scene, deputies Ricardo Ortiz and Jose Vazquez-Trujillo sought to calm a schizophrenic man who had paranoia and homicidal ideations about a next-door neighbor.

In one mock scenario, Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies Ricardo Ortiz, left, and Jose Vazquez-Trujillo are tasked with calming a schizophrenic man who had paranoia and homicidal ideations about a next-door neighbor. The practice exercise was part of the agency’s crisis intervention training to better equip law enforcement officers with verbal de-escalation techniques in dealing with citizens in various mental states. Crisis intervention instructor Tom Kelley plays the role of the man with schizophrenia disorder. (Kevin Weiss)

Other mock scenarios had deputies and corrections officers encounter inmates or juveniles with suicidal thoughts, or, deal with someone with severe substance abuse. There was even a situation that exposed deputies to someone with low-functioning autism.

There weren’t any takedowns, hands-on combat nor use of nonlethal force.

Rather, this type of police training simply required conversations to resolve problems.

For each participating law enforcement officer, the objective was to have a better understanding of mental health in crisis and to learn how to better respond to de-escalate a situation during a call for service.

It was all part of the agency’s recent Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program at Pasco Safety Town in Shady Hills.

The weeklong, 40-hour CIT program is a collaborative effort between the sheriff’s office and many local behavioral and mental health community partners. It is held four times per year within the agency.

Throughout the week, deputies received instruction on various subjects, such as signs and symptoms of mental illness, co-occurring disorders, addiction, dementia, trauma informed care, and juvenile and veteran response.

De-escalation techniques centered on maintaining positive body language and tone of voice, along with active listening skills to appropriately reflect upon a subject’s feelings.

Deputies then put those techniques to the test with role-play scenes, which were written out by a licensed mental health counselor in collaboration with a law enforcement officer. Volunteer actors played the various roles of persons in crisis.

The mock exercises required deputies to determine whether or not to detain a subject for an involuntary mental health evaluation, otherwise known as the Baker Act; provide a referral to various behavioral health services and resources; or, simply offer someone a shoulder to lean on and to listen to a subject’s personal problems.

One of the instructors and role play actors was Tom Kelley, a former law enforcement and military officer, who operates a consulting firm specializing in crisis intervention and crime prevention.

In traditional law enforcement academies, trainees are taught to enter situations with authority in voice and action.

In the crisis intervention program, however, Kelley instructed deputies to find a softer, more inviting tone when dealing with people undergoing a mental crisis.

Kelley put it this way to a classroom full of deputies: “Let them know that you’re there and you care. At that moment, they need to feel like you’re the most caring person in the world, because they are at their worst.”

In this role-play exercise, Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies Breanna Chandler, left, and Lindsay Steward try to calm a with teenage daughter with oppositional defiant disorder. It was part of the law enforcement agency’s recent weeklong Crisis Intervention Team training program. Volunteer Brittany Graniero, a licensed mental health counselor, plays the role of the defiant teen.

Pasco Sheriff’s Lt. Toni Roach has been the agency’s CIT coordinator since 2016.

She said the objective of crisis intervention is twofold.

First, it’s to reduce potential injury to citizens and responding deputies.

Second, it’s utilized to help divert people with “potentially criminal behavior or disruptive behavior” away from the jail system and into a mental health system where they can get proper diagnosis and treatment.

Roach explained: “The idea is to use your words and de-escalate rather than quickly resorting to force when the people you’re interacting with become nervous or scared, and are apprehensive to do what the deputy asks them to do.”

The training is vital for law enforcement personnel, the lieutenant said.

Roach put it this way: “We want to make sure that we can serve our public and provide them with good resources, and then hopefully we interact with them in a positive manner, so that, especially people with mental illness who have a fear of law enforcement, we can reduce that level of fear and have a good relationship with our community.”

Twenty-nine sheriff’s office personnel graduated from the recent spring class.

Upon graduation, each deputy received a pin for their uniform indicating they’ve had advanced training in crisis intervention.

Roach said about 50 percent of patrol deputies are CIT certified, also noting the public is able to request a CIT trained officer in a call for service. The agency is striving to have all of its deputies CIT certified in the future, she said.

In addition to the sheriff’s office, organizations that assisted in facilitating the CIT program were the National Alliance on Mental Illness, HCA Florida Hospitals, Rogers Behavioral Health, North Tampa Behavioral Health, BayCare Health System, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, and Veteran’s Affairs clinics.

Published May 08, 2019

Summit addresses mental health challenges

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Overcoming mental health and substance abuse issues in local communities seems a daunting undertaking — but offering a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on may be a good place to start.

At least that’s what a group of educators and faith-based leaders asserted at a recent mental health summit at Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, in Wesley Chapel.

Pasco-Hernando State College hosted a mental health summit on Feb. 18 at its Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. It featured a panel discussion between educators and faith leaders in the community. (Kevin Weiss)

The state college’s Bridging Faith and Mental Health Communities Summit brought together dozens of faith-based leaders, public and private clinical agencies, students, educators and community members. They discussed ongoing problems and solutions on topics such as depression, suicide and substance abuse, wellness and recovery.

A plenary panel discussion addressed those topics head-on.

University of South Florida philosophy and religious studies professor Garrett Potts tried to pinpoint the root of mental health issues.

He suggested that depression and addiction have been exacerbated because there’s “a crisis of meaning” and “a loss of hope” in society and culture today.

And, as a result, he said, people have turned to drugs and alcohol, as a coping mechanism.

The panelist advised that if you think someone may be suffering from substance abuse or a mental health crisis, empathy and guidance without judgement can go a long way.

“We have to be able to sort of lay our cards on the table and say, ‘Hey, I’m with you,’” Potts said.

“Try at all costs to avoid the shame cycle that our fellow addicts and sufferers are already stuck in. They don’t need any more shame than they’re already placing on themselves.”

He added, “A lot of times, what you hear with individuals who are struggling with suicide, is they’ve found themselves in a place where they’re isolated. Either something they’re struggling with is stigmatized to the point that they don’t feel loved, or they feel like no one around them cares about them or can help them.”

Another panelist, Dr. Eddie Williams, director of PHSC’s behavioral health department, pointed out those dealing with depression and suicide “often disengage from everybody” in their personal and social life, and in the workplace.

Williams underscored the importance of reaching out before a particular mental illness worsens.

A decreased functioning in everyday life and a general feeling of sadness are some warning signs to watch out for, he said.

“We need to make sure that person gets reconnected,” Williams said, “to let them know that they’re loved and understood.”

He added: “Don’t take no for an answer, if you start to see someone disengaging from life. Sometimes, it just takes that one act of courage and that could save someone’s life.”

Williams also observed those who’ve successfully recovered from substance abuse or mental illness must “give it back and try to help someone else reach that level of recovery.”

Williams added: “You’ve got to have that support from people who’ve been in similar situations.”

Pastor Doug Zipperer, of Shady Hills’ United Methodist Church, called for more fellowship and outreach groups.

He mentioned organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous do a good job of bringing people together and helping each other, so they’re not fighting mental health and addiction battles alone.

Zipperer put it like this: “The words and encouragement and counsel of a real close friend is probably more lasting than hours of clinical counseling or the professional help of somebody they don’t trust.”

Another panelist, Taiwan Simmons, the co-founder of Inside Reach Ministries in Wesley Chapel, suggested there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to people struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse.

Offering care and affection to loved ones may not be enough, Simmons said.

Still, the panelist said there’s a responsibility to reach out to those dealing with those troubles — even in the face of getting rejected by that person.

“We have people who are hurting,” he said. “They need our prayer, they need our support, they need our attention, they need our encouragement.

“You have to be engaged and you have to empower not just yourself, but the people around you,” he said.

The panel also included Imam Hassan Sultan, CEO of the Muslim Connection; Ryan Morris, PHSC student government president; and, John Mitten, Hernando County commissioner and PHSC board trustee.

Along with the panel discussion, the event also included breakout sessions focused on suicide, and substance abuse awareness and prevention.

In addition to the state college, community partners involved in the summit included the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Pasco Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, BayCare Behavioral Health – Community Health Activation Team (CHAT), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Take Stock in Children, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center and Pasco Aware.

Published February 27, 2019

Symposium spotlights mental health, well-being

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College life can be exciting, but also can be challenging.

Besides searching for independence, there comes a new level of responsibilities — academically and socially.

That’s why administrators and student leaders at Pasco-Hernando State College organized a Community Resource Fair and Symposium on mental health and well-being, at the college’s East Campus in Dade City.

Research conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness on mental health on college campuses shows:

  • 25 percent of students have a diagnosable illness
  • 40 percent do not seek help
  • 80 percent feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities
  • 50 percent have been so anxious they struggled in school

About a dozen organizations were present during the April 19 event — part of the college’s ongoing community awareness series.
Several local mental health and wellness agencies were on hand, including BayCare Behavioral Health, and Sunrise of Pasco County Domestic and Sexual Violence Center.

Pasco-Hernando State College organized a Community Resource Fair and Symposium on April 19 at its East Campus in Dade City.
(Courtesy of PHSC)

Representatives from those groups, along with a college staff member, led a panel discussion on mental fitness among college students.

One of the panelists was Jacqui Turner, a liaison for BayCare Health System’s Student Assistance Program (SAP), which provides support to students in dealing with personal, academic, or relationship problems via referral services through managed care benefits and other community resources.

According to Turner, most college students utilize the SAP service because they struggle balancing school, work and general life obligations.

Those stresses, Turner said, can translate to poor classroom performance.

“When your mind is focused elsewhere,” she said, “you’re not performing to your fullest potential…and your grades go down pretty fast.”

Aside from stress, feelings of anxiety and depression can also be prevalent among college students, Turner noted.

Another panelist, Chuck Wilson— the college’s executive director of the President’s Institute for College Preparation, Completion, Certification, Leadership Development — suggested financial decisions—good and bad—can impact mental well-being.

He said most debt is created right out of college.

“As you’re preparing for life, don’t mess up your money,” he said.

That includes incorporating preventative measures, such as saving and smart spending habits. 
“If you don’t do that,” Wilson said, “now you’re dealing with depression, and fear and anxiety.”

Later on, Wilson advised those with financial struggles to seek help from elder family members and dabble with financial literacy programs.

“Often there’s value in age and experience,” he said.

He also advocated performing a self-assessment “when something is weighing you.”

“Have courageous conversation with yourself. When you tell yourself the truth, I think that’s the baseline for rising above whatever the situation is.”

With April being National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a portion of the symposium centered on ways to support victims and survivors of sexual assault, dating and violence domestic and stalking.
The topic was led by Aubrey Hall, Green Dot coordinator for Sunrise of Pasco. The Green Dot Bystander aims to end or reduce the amount of violence found on university campuses.

According to Hall, one in four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, and one in six men will be stalked.

“These numbers rise when college is in session,” Hall explained. “When you’re in college, you’re four times more likely to be assaulted than when you’re not in college.”

She pointed out survivors of violence “sometimes feel guilty or shameful, because they feel like they should have acted.”

Empowering those victims, Hall said, starts with utilizing proper interaction techniques.

One such technique, called trauma-informed care, is an approach that aims to engage people with histories of trauma, recognize the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledge the role that trauma has played in their lives.

“When you go and you interact with somebody, you don’t really know what they’ve been through. And, it’s really not right to ask somebody about it,” Hall said.

“I never go into a room assuming no one’s experienced violence.”

She, too, never asks ‘why,’ when dealing with trauma victims, due to its presumptive tone.

“If you’re asking somebody why something happened to them, you’re putting the blame on them. You’re putting the onus on them,” Hall said.

She added: “Language is extremely important. Not only how you’re asking the questions, but then following up.”

Published April 26, 2017

Panelists identify gaps in mental health system

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Participants in a recent mental health panel at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes didn’t have any easy solutions for problems plaguing the delivery of mental health care to the nation’s most vulnerable people.

A mental health care panel at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes noted many issues that need to be addressed to improve the quality of mental health care in this country. (Courtesy of Gus Bilirakis)
A mental health care panel at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes noted many issues that need to be addressed to improve the quality of mental health care in this country. (Courtesy of Gus Bilirakis)

But they did point out several areas where changes could be made to help improve the level of care for those with mental health conditions, and to improve support for their families and loved ones.

The panel, convened by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, focused on mental health and substance abuse issues. It featured U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, a clinical psychologist and author of H.B. 3717, otherwise known as the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.

Bilirakis is among the co-signers on Murphy’s bill.

Too often people have thrown some money at the mental health care problem, added a program, and then walked away without making any real difference, Murphy told a crowd of about 100.

“We have to stop pretending that we can just wish this away,” Murphy said.

Like Murphy, Bilirakis said the time has come to find real solutions. The Palm Harbor Republican has learned from constituents that “we have a broken system with too many individuals falling through the cracks and not receiving the help that they need.

“We put a Band-Aid on it, but we don’t fix it,” Bilirakis said. “Enough is enough.”

Murphy said he’s heard from thousands of families across America, and their constant refrain is that there’s not enough help for people who are mentally ill. Under the current system, mentally ill people often can’t get help they need unless they go to jail.

“On any given day, half-a-million people in this nation are in jail with a mental illness,” Murphy said.

The problems of mental illness spill into other arenas, too, he added. The nation’s homeless population continues to swell, its suicide rates have increased, and many people with mental conditions have little or no prospect of work.

Panelists at the Dec. 16 session represented high-ranking officials from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Pinellas-Pasco Public Defender’s Office, Operation PAR, Baycare Behavioral Health, Medical Center of Trinity, the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Pinellas chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Pasco County Schools, the Trinity Pain Center and an advocate representing veterans needing mental health care.

Themes that emerged during the discussion included the need for:

  • Better hand-offs between various providers to ensure a continuum of care for people with mental health conditions
  • Short-term residential treatment centers to provide greater support for the mentally ill
  • Additional crisis intervention team training to help police and first responders better assist people with mental conditions
  • Help teach school district employees how to identify symptoms that may indicate mental illness in its earliest stages
  • Less bureaucracy in the way programs are administered and funded, so that people can be receive treatment when and where they need it
  • Additional research to find effective ways to treat mental conditions
  • Increased support to help families coping with the challenges posed by a family member’s mental condition

Some panelists pointed out specific areas that need reform. Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco, for example, believes changes are needed in the state’s Baker Act, which governs how long a person can be detained for a mental evaluation. The current maximum is 72 hours.

That, Nocco said, “is not long enough,” likening it to putting a bandage on a gushing wound.

Murphy agreed with that assessment.

“Who came up with 72 hours for mental illness?” he said, adding that the time limit “doesn’t make clinical sense.”

Medical Center of Trinity chief executive Leigh Massengill said she finds it shameful that, for many patients, the first introduction to the hospital’s behavioral care unit often is by virtue of the Baker Act.

One of the biggest frustrations is the lack of hand-offs in the community after these patients have been stabilized and released from the hospital’s behavioral care facility, Massengill said.

“That absolutely guarantees that they’re going to come back to us, or come back to somebody else, or wind up dead,” she said. “That’s unconscionable in my mind, in this day and time.”

Saybra Chapman, clinical coordinator for Pasco County Schools, noted that a primary issue that keeps surfacing is access to care and timely care.

“The problem for us is when students are waiting for care and not able to get ready services,” she said. “They are trying to function in the school setting, which is a challenge for everybody.”

While panelists discussed the gaps in services and funding issues, Roy Gifford reminded them hope remains for people with mental conditions. The 38-year-old has suffered from schizoaffective disorder for most of his life.

“I have been on almost every kind of medication possible since childhood,” Gifford said.

He’s lived in assisted living facilities, foster care homes, jails, and on the street.

“I often thought there was no hope for me,” Gifford said, acknowledging it was so bad at some points he tried to end his life.

He’s on a new medication now, and has accepted the fact he likely will be on medication the rest of his life.

“Remember, there is hope and recovery,” Gifford told those gathered. “I know it can be done. I am living proof.”

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Mental health tune-ups for Pasco County residents

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NTBHMain
Spend a few minutes with Jim Harris, CEO of North Tampa Behavioral Health in Wesley Chapel (NTBH), and you’ll catch his enthusiasm. He and his staff are committed to providing the very best care and support for people experiencing mental health issues.

“Sometimes the challenges of life can overwhelm us,” says Jim. “Many of us will experience a mental health issue at some point in our life – grief, loss, loneliness, depression, addiction. We’re here to help people work through their mental health concerns.”

North Tampa Behavioral Health provides a non-institutional environment on 16 acres of wetlands and forest off of State Road 56, east of The Shops at Wiregrass. The campus offers peace and quiet without urban distractions.

“We want to set the standard for the treatment of behavioral health and addiction disorders,” says Jim. “We have a unique half-day, partial hospitalization program and an intensive outpatient program for the treatment of adults and seniors with mental health and substance abuse conditions.”

NTBH is more than just a productive member of the community. They are making their facilities available for various support group meetings. The National Alliance on Mental Illness currently provides free support group meetings on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., for families experiencing mental health issues or who have friends receiving mental health care.

“We currently have 143 employees contributing to the economic health of the region,” says Jim. “The resources we use come from the local community as much as possible. We are also a provider working to enhance mental health awareness and wellness of the citizens of Pasco County.”

“Our treatment focuses on the whole person,” says Jim. “We believe that physical health and nutritional health play a role in mental health, and we address that daily here.”

They have an indoor gym with stationary bicycles, workout bags and a basketball court. They also host yoga classes in the gym. Outdoors they have a basketball court, a walking path and spaces to relax, read and converse. There are also a number of spacious community rooms and a cafe with a selection of nutritious foods available during all meals.

“Our goal is to bring together mental and physical health approaches to psychiatric therapies founded on the most current principles of patient safety,” says Jim. “We are a progressive facility. For example, there are no mechanical restraints for patients, which is rare for a psychiatric hospital. Suggestions from our patients are continually improving our facility.”

All programs are group-oriented and developmentally appropriate to the client. Inpatient care is short-term. Outpatient care may go on longer depending on the client’s needs. The partial hospital program is 5 days per week for 5 hours per day. The intensive outpatient program is 3 days per week for 3 hours per day.

They became a Baker Act facility in February 2014 and have since been working closely with law enforcement and local hospitals to treat involuntary patients who are deemed a threat to themselves or others due to mental health or substance abuse issues.

North Tampa Behavioral Health has been very successful to date. They are continuing to develop relationships with local hospitals, independent practitioners, clinics, colleges and chambers of commerce. They are in the process of starting an alumni group for people who have been treated at the facility as another way to further support the community. Call them for an assessment or referral.

They are located at 29910 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, and can be reached at (813) 922-3300. Their website is NorthTampaBehavioralHealth.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.