In this Mental Health episode, we talk with Randy Nicklaus, President of 2-1-1 Big Bend, as we explore mental health needs and resources in our local community.  2-1-1 Big Bend operates a 24/7 hotline where trained counselors provide emotional support, crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and information & referrals.  2-1-1 Big Bend serves as a gateway to other community services by maintaining an extensive resource database and by checking eligibility requirements as part of their referral process.

Randy Nicklaus, 2-1-1 Big Bend

During 2019, 2-1-1 Big Bend answered 28,944 calls, for an average of 79 calls per day.  They provided 312,301 minutes of hotline counseling and offered 29,616 referrals.  And 1,457 of their calls were about suicide.

This episode was released on February 11, to coincide with National 211 Awareness Day.

Resources discussed on this episode, plus some extras...

There are so many local mental health resources available to us. Remember to do your own research to find out what's available and best for you.

2-1-1 Big Bend (24/7 hotline)

Psychology Today (where you can search for therapists)

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb (popular and funny book about therapy)

NAMI Tallahassee (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

There are countless other local resources and services. Colleges, universities, school systems, churches, and service organizations often offer support services, sometimes for free. Look around for the services that are best for you in your local community.

This podcast represents the opinions of residents, primarily the host, Vanessa Rowse, who is not a mental health professional. Remember to do your own research to find out what services are available and best for you.