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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida with Floridians not yet even two weeks past Hurricane Helene, the Florida Association of Managing Entities is providing Floridians with tips on how to help manage their mental health and the emotional toll natural disasters cause.

“Hurricanes not only result in a devastating loss of life, destruction of property, and disruption of power and essential resources, but also they take a serious toll on mental health before, during and after the storm,” said Natalie K. Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities.

The impact of disasters on mental health can be short- or long-term, and it often depends on the recovery process of the affected community. Nearly one-third of disaster-affected people may experience a negative mental health consequence. The most common mental health conditions after a disaster include: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and grief and loss.

The five-step stress response includes: 1) Fear and worry about one’s own health, financial or employment situation, and well-being of loved ones; 2) Changes in eating patterns, sleep difficulty, use of a substance; 3) An aggravated onset of an existing mental health problem; 4) A first-time episode of a psychological disorder; 5) Acute anxiety disorder, PTSD, depression, or an adjustment disorder. 

Floridians can follow a few of these tips to help manage their mental health:

Acknowledge that the feelings of anxiety and stress are normal. Extreme fear and uncertainty are common reactions and these emotions can contribute to an elevated stress response;

Focus on what is within your control and take action;

Create a support network;

Discuss your feelings with friends and families, including children in age-appropriate ways;

Give back. Volunteering or supporting others can provide a sense of purpose and help you gain control;

Establish routines as soon as possible after the storm;

After the storm, focus on what steps you’ll take during the recovery phase.

It is important to seek professional help if symptoms are affecting your relationships, ability to work, or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or increased unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol and/or drug use. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call 9-8-8 for support

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – According to the CDC, more than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, which is the equivalent of one death per 11 minutes in the United States. September is national Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the Florida Association of Managing Entities is raising awareness about suicide prevention efforts.

Florida’s seven Managing Entities oversee Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, including essential crisis services that help prevent suicide.

“Nearly four million Americans made a plan to die by suicide and nearly two million attempted suicide in 2022,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of FAME. “Connecting individuals experiencing a mental health crisis with behavioral health services saves lives. Florida’s Managing Entities serve Floridians beyond those in the safety net system by managing the network that provides Crisis Stabilization Units, Mobile Response Teams, peer support hotlines, and supporting prevention campaigns.”

The Managing Entities meet the unique needs of Florida’s communities. There are various programs that help stabilize individuals who need it and connect them with lifesaving behavioral health services, engaging partners such as the faith-based and veteran communities. 

Some of these programs include: Mobile Response Teams of highly trained counselors that de-escalate situations; high level of care coordination for individuals; hospital bridge programs that coordinate services after an individual is stabilized in the emergency department; and school mental health services among other behavioral health services.

Florida’s Managing Entities collaborate with providers that deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless. Additionally, the system provides nearly 1.7 million Floridians with preventative services and reaches hundreds of thousands more through indirect preventative services, such as education initiatives.

ORLANDO, Fla.–The Women’s Edge has for the second consecutive year named Central Florida Cares Health System CEO Maria Bledsoe a Top 100 Women in Business. Ms. Bledsoe is the President of the Florida Association of Managing Entities.

The Women’s Edge is a non-profit organization committed to advancing all women in leadership positions. This year’s honorees represent a diverse range of fields, spanning education, healthcare, travel & hospitality, finance, and more, illustrating the breadth of women’s leadership across the Sunshine State.

“I’m honored to have been named a ‘Top 100 Women in Business’ by The Women’s Edge. It’s truly a privilege to serve as the CEO of one of Florida’s seven Behavioral Health Managing Entities that work every day to connect Floridians in-need with the behavioral health services they need to thrive,” said Central Florida Cares CEO Maria Bledsoe.

Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers that deliver services to over 2 million Floridians, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless. Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse, but also assist with care coordination, housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight, transparency and accountability closest to the people they serve.

Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO LSF Health Systems

A new study published in this month’s Journal of the American Medical Association shows rising alcohol consumption among women is leading to higher rates of death and disease. While men still die more often from drinking-related causes than women, deaths among women are climbing at a faster rate.  

The report examined insurance claims data from 2017 to 2021 on millions of Americans ages 15 and older. Researchers found that during the first year and a half of the coronavirus pandemic, middle-aged women — likely due to increased alcohol consumption — were significantly more likely to experience serious complications like alcohol-related cardiovascular and liver disease, as well as severe withdrawal.  

This new research adds to other studies that show excessive alcohol consumption has generally increased during the last 20 years, while related deaths rose by almost 30% in America from 2016 to 2021.  

The COVID-19 pandemic — like other major catastrophes — caused widespread illness, loss of life and consequently stress that resulted in an increase in drinking habits. Subsequently, the pandemic sparked unprecedented increases in behavioral health problems including mental health disorders and substance use disorders. We’re still battling those impacts today.

In fact, alcohol sales jumped by almost 50% during the pandemic, the largest increase in more than 50 years. Multiple smaller studies suggest that during the pandemic about 25% of people drank more than usual.  

These new trends show increased substance abuse can cause damage to people’s hearts, livers and other organs. Furthermore, researchers in the study found excessive drinking linked to alcohol-related liver and heart disease. Drinking too much can also cause inflammation in your stomach lining which can lead to bleeding and pancreatitis.  

Additionally, alcoholism causes mood disorders. Many alcoholics develop fat in their liver which leads to a range of conditions that can develop when such fat begins to accumulate.  

When that damage from drinking builds up, scar tissue accumulates in the liver and leads to a later stage of the disease, called cirrhosis. Some people with alcohol-related liver disease then develop severe liver inflammation, known as alcohol-associated hepatitis.  

All these health issues and others, are impacting women at inordinate rates since the pandemic, which leads researchers to believe that there is an increased number of women who are exhibiting alcoholic behavior.  

Social and demographic trends can help explain why women are drinking at higher rates. For example, women are marrying and having children at later ages than in previous decades, so they spend more time in the high-risk period for heavy drinking.

Also, researchers noted that women often bore the brunt of family responsibilities and stress during the pandemic, which also contributed to their increased drinking.  

While many of these longer-term increases in drinking predate the pandemic, higher levels of drinking during lockdowns likely exacerbated these issues or contributed to new complications. Some of the health consequences of heavy drinking take time to develop and often emerge 20 or 30 years later. Complications can occur after years of heavy, persistent alcohol use. 

If you know someone showing symptoms of substance abuse disorder, initiate a nonjudgmental conversation with that person. Express your concerns while emphasizing your support and willingness to help. Encourage participation in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.  

These groups offer peer support and valuable insights from individuals who have faced similar challenges. 

You can also call our Access to Care line at (877) 229-9098 to find local resources to address the problems they’re struggling with. Visit us online and learn more about the services we offer at LSFHealthSystems.org. 

Dr. Christine Cauffield, clinical psychologist, is CEO of LSF Health Systems in Jacksonville, a nonprofit organization that manages state-funded behavioral health in a 23-county area from Northeast Florida to North Central Florida. 

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.