As the largest and most comprehensive
health system in Northeast Florida, Baptist
Health is committed to providing accessible,
high-quality care that meets the needs of our state and of Floridians at every stage of life. Recognizing the behavioral and mental health crisis facing our region and our state, Baptist
Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital launched a Collaborative Care Model that uses a teambased approach with primary care providers to improve the quality and access to critical
“There is no health without mental health. As the largest behavioral health provider in Northeast Florida, Baptist Health is firmly committed to working with our state’s leaders and policymakers to address this critical issue. Guided by compassion and expertise, we are working to shape a future where behavioral healthcare is accessible to everyone – fostering healing, understanding, and resilience within our communities.” - DR. MICHAEL MAYO, President and CEO of Baptist Health
behavioral and mental health care. Over the past year, patient wait times to access our behavioral
health care services have gone from one year to three days.
Recently, Baptist Health’s CEO and behavioral health leadership joined Representative Sam Garrison and Chris Spencer of the Executive
Office of the Governor for a forum discussion on opportunities to address the behavioral health
crisis in Florida. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Florida leaders to bring forward
“Florida stands at a critical crossroads. Our approach to behavioral health requires strategic, comprehensive planning. The rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide, especially among our youth, call for immediate action. Working closely with dedicated organizations like Baptist Health and others, we are working to ensure access to accessible, high-quality behavioral health services for all Floridians. Our families deserve nothing less.” - REPRESENTATIVE SAM GARRISON
innovative solutions to improve the mental health and well-being of Floridians.
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INFLUENCE Fall 2023
“Governor DeSantis and the Executive Office of the Governor are committed to the overall health and well-being of every Floridan. By engaging in innovative approaches to tackle this complex issue, we are addressing the immediate needs of our communities and empowering Florida families struggling with behavioral health issues to get the support they need and ultimately find purpose, selfsufficiency, and paths to success.” - CHRIS SPENCER, Director of Policy & Budget, Executive Office of the Governor