World Mental Health Day: Why Mental Health Matters in Jacksonville

Mental health is part of our overall health, our communities, and our everyday lives. For many people, conversations about mental health can be difficult. There may be a stigma, uncertainty about where to turn, or the feeling that asking for help means something is wrong with you.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and it offers an opportunity to change that conversation.

This year, the World Health Organization’s theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” The message goes beyond simply encouraging people to talk about mental health. It calls for people who have experienced mental health challenges to have a meaningful role in shaping the policies, services and systems designed to support them.

People around the world, and right here in Jacksonville, may struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness, trauma, substance use, financial stress or other challenges at different points in their lives. Sometimes the struggle is obvious. Other times, someone may appear to be doing perfectly well while quietly dealing with something very difficult.

That is one reason awareness matters.

Creating a healthier community isn't just about having more conversations on one particular day. It's about making it easier for people to ask for help, making sure they know where to find support, and creating environments where people can talk about their experiences without fear of judgment.

Local Resources for Those in Need

The City of Jacksonville maintains a list of local mental-health resources, including:

• 988 (Text or call to access trained crisis counselors)
• NAMI Jacksonville
• Mental Health First Aid programs
• Northwest Behavioral Health
• Youth Crisis Center
• Other community organizations.

Local demand for that support is significant. According to United Way of Northeast Florida, its local 988 team answered 11,382 mental-health crisis calls as of September. This statistic represents people who reached out because they needed someone to listen.

This year’s theme asks, “What happens when we truly listen to people who have lived through mental-health challenges?”

Listening can help reduce stigma, help families better understand what someone is experiencing, and help healthcare providers and community organizations identify gaps in services. Perhaps most importantly, it reminds people that their experiences have value.

What Can We Do This World Mental Health Day?

This World Mental Health Day, consider:

• Check in with someone. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to a meaningful conversation.
• Listen without immediately trying to fix things. Sometimes people need to feel heard before they are ready to talk about solutions.
• Learn the warning signs. Understanding common signs of mental-health challenges can help you recognize when a friend, coworker or family member may need support.
• Challenge stigma. Mental health is health. Seeking help should be viewed as a sign of self-awareness and strength, not weakness.
• Learn about local resources. Knowing where to turn before a crisis happens can make it easier to act when help is needed.
• Make space for lived experience. If someone shares their experience with mental illness, listen with compassion and respect.



This October 10, let's do more than talk about mental health.

Let's listen. Let's learn. And let's make sure the people who have lived these experiences have a meaningful voice in what comes next.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental-health crisis or emotional distress, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Jacksonville, 988 is available 24/7 through United Way of Northeast Florida.

We want to send a special recognition to our Employee of the Month, Iscah Holland Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Congratulations to Julia Riggins on her retirement! She has gone above and beyond for her team, our providers, and KHA as a whole. She has been dependable, thoughtful, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She's been with the city for 36 years and we will truly miss her. Her last day with KHA will be October 16th. Thank you for your dedication and enjoy your retirement years!!

Thank you for being our partner in creating a safer, more vibrant community for our youngest citizens here in Jacksonville. We look forward to further collaboration and celebration of the difference we make, hand in hand.



The 40th Annual Martin Luther King Breakfast will be held on January 15th, 2027, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Students can start submitting their essays for the 2027 Tomorrow's Leaders Essay Contest. Winners will be recognized at the breakfast. Teachers and mentors can nominate students to write essays that reflect themes drawn from Dr. King's life and teachings.

Each age group will write an essay.

• Elementary students: 4th and 5th graders will write a 200-word essay.
• Middle school: 6th-8th graders will write a 400-word essay.
• High school: 9th-12th graders will write a 600-word essay.

Submissions are due October 18th. For more information, click here.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Abuse isn't just physical; it can be emotional, verbal, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Behind closed doors, many people are suffering in silence. This month, we're raising awareness, breaking the stigma, and reminding survivors they are not alone. Every survivor deserves safety, dignity, and support.

If you are a survivor of domestic violence, or are suffering in silence, know that there is help available to you 24/7 through the Hubbard House and their partner agencies. Call 904-354-3114, text 904-210-3698, or go to hubbardhouse.org for immediate assistance.

Students can now submit their applications for the 2027 internship program. College students will receive hands-on experience in their field of study. It is a PAID internship. For more information on how to apply, click here.

Help Florida build a more resilient state by volunteering as a resiliency coach. You can help build students' skills to overcome challenges. Florida is taking a first-of-its kind approach to reframe mental health to help children become resilient.

To become a resiliency coach, you must meet the volunteer screening requirements with the local school district and complete an online 4-hour volunteer practicum. To sign up, click here.

Open enrollment is now open for families who want to enroll their children into a Florida Prepaid plan. They have affordable monthly payments to designed to fit any goal or budget to help parents and caregivers save for college. To sign your kids up for a plan, click here.

Searching for something to do this weekend? Check out Jacksonville's event page. It has tons of events from the Jacksonville Icemen games to the Jax Symphony to Ritz Museum After Dark.

For a list of events happening around town, click here.

Parents or caregivers, if you are in need of diapers, now is the time to sign up. The Diaper Assistance Program offers free diapers to those who qualify. To sign up, click here.

A new app created for teens by teens. I'm A Star students created EmpowerMe, to aid in their mental health. The app provides daily affirmations and offers mini games to foster in teens' mental health. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play. For more information, click here.

The Florida Department of Children and Families announced a statewide youth advisory board, which is a youth-led self-standing group made up of youth and young adults with Lived Experience in Florida's child welfare system. Members from across the state bring their unique voices, stories, and expertise to help shape the policies and programs that impact youth and young adults across the state.

The Statewide Youth Advisory Board works to:

• Promote participation
• Establish a structured partnership
• Equip young adults
• Develop leadership skills
• Improve communication
• Maintain independence
• Incorporate youth perspectives

Membership is exclusively composed of youth and young adults with lived experience in Florida's child welfare system, including out-of-home care, adoption, or independent living programs administered by the Department of Children and Families.

If you are interested in becoming a member, fill out the membership interest form.

Cathedral Arts Project is hiring for several positions including grants and proposal manager, director of professional development, and curriculum writer. CAP offers a culture of creativity and collaboration. CAP is seeking for individuals to support its mission to provide arts education that impacts children and young adults. For more information on the positions, click here.

Buddy's Place is part of the 3 Grains of Rice Missions range of services. They are a bridge to helping those who need medical equipment. They can pick up equipment that is no longer needed, or they can provide you with the necessary medical equipment that you need. Donations are tax deductible. If you are in need or have equipment you no longer use, contact 3 Grains of Rice Missions at 904-534-0674 or 904-742-3054.

Transportation is vital for accessing essential services. United Way's Ride Unlimited Program bridges this gap with those who are in need. United Way has partnered with Lyft to enable 211 callers to request transportation to an essential location and receive a ride for free or at a discounted rate. Since its launch in 2018, more than 500,000 rides have been completed. All you have to do is call 211 for assistance, they will check for resources, and a ride will arrive. For more information, click here.

Mayor's Transparency Dashboards

As a continued effort to provide transparency across the city, we have created the Mayor’s Transparency Dashboards. With these Dashboards, we hope to give citizens the chance to see how our resources are being used in our day-to-day lives.

By providing these Dashboards "at a glance," we hope to tell the narratives that make the City of Jacksonville what it is today. From the volunteers and adopters who help our furry friends at Animal Care and Protective Services, to those who help to push our industry and homes forward in a new streamlined process with Permitting, to Public Works who keeps our city beautiful and clean, to helping our readers exceed our reading goals with River City Readers, you can see just how much work truly goes into our city.

With our combined efforts, we can bring to light a NEW DAY for the City of Jacksonville.

Hurricane season starts June 1st and forecasters are predicting a below-normal season. It is still recommended to prepare you and your families in case of an emergency. Protect your property from wind, flood, and storm surge, and check on your flood insurance. For more tips, check out the Jax Ready page.

Microsoft for Nonprofits Grant

Eligibility Requirements: Nonprofits or non-governmental organizations, public libraries, and public museums

Length of eligibility: Two years

Type of grants: Software, Cloud Services, and Subscriptions

Description: Microsoft provides grants and discounted solutions to eligible nonprofits. The nonprofits must provide relief to the poor, advance education, improve social welfare, preserve culture, restore the environment, promote human rights, and/or establish civil society.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Family Support Group

Additional Resources

Northwest Behavioral Health Services

2392 Edgewood Ave., N

Jacksonville, FL 32254

www.nwbh.org

Counseling, Psychiatric & Medication Management..........................904-781-7797 (Adults)

Targeted Case Management Services..............................................904-781-0600 (Children)

Trauma Crisis Support Hotline & Mobile Services........................................1-833-987-2682

Students are required by law to attend school regularly. When students miss too many days, they become in danger of truancy. Students who miss five days within a calendar month or 10 days in a 90-day period are considered truant by the Duval County School district. Students and parents can face serious consequences.

Parents, the district wants to support you in getting your child to school every day. Here's what you can do to ensure your child has great attendance:



• Make school attendance a priority. Create and maintain daily routines, such as homework, picking out school clothes the night before, and creating a backup plan to get your child to school in case an emergency comes up.
• Keep your child engaged in school. Talk to your child about school bullies, behavioral issues, and school policies, as these can be some reasons why kids do not want to go to school. Also, see what type of after-school programs they would want to be a part of.
• Communicate with the school. Monitor your child's academic progress and reach out to your child's teachers with any concerns.

Attendance allows students to put their best foot forward on the path to success. If children are not at school, they miss out on the fundamentals of learning. Click here for more information about attendance.

United Way of NEFL Volunteerism

Get Involved. Make a Difference.