TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Leaders in Tallahassee are tackling Mental Health, trying to make services more accessible to people in public housing.
Che'lynn Randolph is a therapist in Tallahassee.
"Sometimes it could be $120 a session or something like that, and some of us can't afford that," said Randolph.
She says money a big reason people don't seek out counseling or therapy.
"Finances," Randolph said. "If you don't have insurance and the therapist doesn't take insurance you have to pay out of pocket."
Now the city is trying to take the financial burden off of people in public housing who have cried out for someone to talk to.
"One of the things I'm hearing loud and clear is that they want mental health assistance," said Mayor John Dailey.
City leaders have instructed city manager Reese Goad to create a program plan that would help meet that need.
"And I think now more than ever it's important to concentrate on mental health," Dailey said.
Dailey's vision gets counselors and therapists into public housing complexes like Orange Avenue and Leon Arms Apartments.
And it's not just to help with social issues.
"We're still dealing with the global pandemic, and the health associated, and the mental health associated," said Dailey.
If approved, the city would pay for the services.
It's an idea Randolph says everyone could benefit from.
"I come from a place where I think everyone deserves access to mental health services," Randolph said. "The community is definitely hurting and they need these services."
How much these services will cost the city is still in the works.
Goad will present a draft plan and budget to the City Commission in August.
