1st In Florida Facility Offers Mental Health Help For Veterans

TAMPA, FL — As a staggering number of military veterans choose to end their lives, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was on hand in Tampa Monday to celebrate a facility dedicated to providing life-saving mental health services for veterans.

The first facility of its kind in Florida, the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Aspire Health Partners will offer services to all of Florida’s 230,000 post-9/11 veterans and military families.

Located at 4520 Oak Fair Blvd., the clinic is focused on the treatment of veterans and their family members for mental health issues including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, transitional challenges, relationship problems and child behavior problems.

DeSantis noted that veterans living outside Tampa Bay area will have the same access to care as clinic patients with the help of telehealth technology, the use of computers and mobile devices to connect health-care workers with patients.

For Tampa Bay veterans, the clinic will offer transportation to appointments and child care during appointments. For critical situations, patients will be seen on the same day.

Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts, the ninth living recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the War in Afghanistan, said a clinic dedicated the unique issues experienced by veterans is essential.

Too often, veterans don't receive the help they need due to the stigma of mental illness and the lack of appropriate services. As a result, veteran suicides are on the rise. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 6,000 veterans took their own lives between 2008 and 2016.

In one year alone, the suicide rate for veterans ages 18 to 34 increased dramatically from 40.4 suicide deaths per 100,000 veterans in 2015 to 45 suicide deaths per 100,000 in 2016.

Pitts now works with Cohen Veterans Network to dispel the mental health stigma. With the opening of the Tampa clinic, the network now has 14 clinics in operation across the country and expects to open another 10 by 2020.

The clinic offers services to all post-9/11 veterans regardless of their discharge status, length of service or combat experience.

Call the clinic at (813) 542-5500 for an appointment.