Bartow, Fla. (June 12, 2025) — Polk County’s behavioral health team has launched a website to help those seeking mental health and substance use disorder resources in the county. The website features a directory of behavioral health providers in Polk County, blogs from local professionals focusing on relevant health topics, as well as a statistical dashboard and provider accessibility in the county.
According to reports from the Florida Department of Health in Polk, in 2022, about 17% of adults (18 years or older) reported poor mental health on 14 or more days out of the past 30. In the same year, about 30% of middle and high school students who attended Polk County public schools reported having felt sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in a row and stopped doing usual activities in the past year.
“There is nothing as unbearable as seeing a person suffer and knowing that there may be a resource available to meet their behavioral health needs,” said Holly Vida, Behavioral Health Program Manager. “Our hope is that this website will provide a starting point for individuals seeking resources for themselves or for friends or family members trying to help a loved one.”…