TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida’s seven Managing Entities, which oversee the state’s behavioral health safety net system, support veterans with mental health and/or substance use issues. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2020, the suicide rate for veterans was 57.3% higher than that of non-veteran adults. Also in 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death among veterans under 45.
“Florida is home to the third largest veteran population in the nation, and under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has prioritized connecting veterans with the behavioral health services they need to lead healthy lives,” said Florida Association of Managing Entities CEO Natalie K. Kelly.
Florida’s behavioral health safety net system connects Floridians with behavioral health providers–regardless of whether one is insured.
This safety net system consists of Florida’s seven behavioral health Managing Entities that work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers, delivering services to more than 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including: children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.
Behavioral health providers within the network provide essential services, such as: as crisis stabilization, care coordination, housing, transportation, and employment. Care coordination is critical and ensures that people receive various services to meet their unique needs.
More information is available here.