Untreated Mental Health Conditions Create ‘Ripple Effect’
Public invited to free Virtual Mental Health Fair October 2
(Melbourne, FL) September 20, 2021 — Untreated and undertreated mental health conditions are chipping away at the psychological well being and quality of life for too many Americans. The pandemic, unemployment and political divisiveness are only some of the unprecedented number of stressors affecting the mental health of millions. On Saturday, October 2 from 1:00 PM through 4:00 PM, the Mental Health Task Force of Suntree United Methodist Church will again conduct a Virtual Mental Health Fair via Zoom. This year’s theme, The Ripple Effect, is a reference to the unintended consequences of a system that fails to adequately address issues of mental health. The first session of the online program will cover “Suicide Awareness and Prevention” with a panel of mental health professionals. Experts from the field of criminal justice and law enforcement will comprise the panel for the second session of the afternoon, entitled, “Preventing the Criminalization of Mental Health Conditions.” Both sessions will begin with clips from award-winning mental health videos. The public is invited to attend one or both of the free sessions of the Virtual Mental Health Fair. For a Zoom link, email deanad@suntreeumc.org, call (321) 242- 2585 or visit SuntreeUMC.org/mentalhealth/.
The statistics are sobering: According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Greater Orlando, Florida is in the midst of a mental health epidemic. More than 600,000 adults and more than 175,000 children in Florida have a serious mental health diagnosis. Yet nearly 70% of Floridians with mental health challenges will not receive treatment, due to a serious shortage in mental health providers, and an underfunded public mental health system. Nationally, Florida ranks 49th among the states in mental health spending.
Rev. Dr. John Baggett is a retired pastor and former State Director of Mental Health in North Carolina. He is also the chair of the Suntree United Methodist Church Mental Health Task Force.
“This year’s theme is ‘The Ripple Effect: Untreated and Undertreated Mental Health Conditions’” said Baggett. “Prevention in healthcare usually focuses on wellness activities that help ward off illness, but our focus this year is on preventing the tragedies that result from failure to provide appropriate treatment for persons with mental health conditions.”
With four mental health fairs in as many years, the Mental Health Task Force of Suntree United Methodist Church has emerged as a Central Florida leader in mental health awareness and advocacy. Each autumn, the church at 7400 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne holds a Mental Health Fair designed to increase awareness, reduce stigma, offer help and hope for persons with mental health conditions, and to advocate for improved mental health care. For more information, visit SuntreeUMC.org/mentalhealth/