Florida to Spend $50M More on Mental Health Services

          Until you pick up a paintbrush, you may not think of art as therapeutic, but in honor of mental health awareness, University of Florida students were invited Thursday to let their inner Picasso flow. They are trying to raise awareness that everyone needs healthy ways to de-stress, and when there's something more worrisome it's okay to seek help.

       UF clinical psychologist, Amanda Lawson-Ross, says however people find creative expression is a beautiful way to take a breather, take a break and let the brain do something different. A study of 150 universities found counseling centers use up thirty percent since 2010, sometimes with a shortage of counselors meaning wait lists to see someone.

         Researchers say mental health issues can be a silent crisis because people may withdraw from their normal routines. In order to create a visual representation of people still struggling, green flags were placed on the Plaza of the America lawn.

UF student Valeria Hernandez says she knows firsthand that treatment can make a difference. 

"Understanding that it's okay to feel what I feel and I think once I accepted those emotions it definitely made overcoming the struggle a lot easier."

        Phrases like "you are loved," "stay strong," and "take a breath" are part of the display. After the South Florida high school massacre in Parkland, the state is spending fifty million dollars more on mental health services. The budget bill in Washington would boost funding nationwide. Insiders hope that will translate to more counselors for college students. Lawson-Ross says without enough funding, meeting with students becomes difficult. 

      Hernandez says seeking help is just the start. She was diagnosed with a mental health illness in college. After seeking help, she's been able to overcome her struggle. Despite the challenges, she remains with a smile on her face and a contagious positive attitude. 

     
     The UF Counseling and Wellness center will sometimes direct students to the Alachua County Crisis Center. That center provides 24/7 crisis and counseling phone lines as well as emergency walk-in appointments.