cost
Paying for mental health care in Central Florida can be expensive, whether you have insurance or not.
For example, treatment for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can cost up to $200 per session and last up to 12 weeks.
“But for people suffering from chronic mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, treatment costs can range from tens to thousands of dollars,” Mental Health Association said Marni Stahlmann, President and CEO of . Central Florida Association. “Because stabilizing someone in crisis often requires hospitalization.”
Although the cost of treatment varies depending on a patient’s insurance coverage, more than 2 million Floridians were uninsured in 2023.
Stahlman said the lack of access to health care could cause problems not only for individuals, but also for local economies, as U.S. businesses lose money due to absenteeism. $17 billion annuallyleading to decreased employee engagement.
“Employees are experiencing some type of mental health crisis or impact on their mental health and well-being that reduces morale and reduces their ability to complete tasks and be productive. ” she said. “The numbers I saw” gallup Estimates suggest that low engagement costs here in the global economy account for approximately $8.8 trillion. ”
Additionally, Stahlmann said: “There are employees who have long-term issues and have to step away from work. The medical costs associated with rehiring those positions and hiring those people are very high and, in some cases, We underestimate it.”
It has been reported that untreated depression can cost companies $9,450 per employee. kaiser permanente.
Stahlman said those costs could drive up employer premiums at renewal.
In addition to increased costs due to absenteeism and low engagement due to mental health concerns, a shortage of mental health professionals is driving up costs, Stahlman said.
“It’s not just here in Central Florida, it’s happening across the country. We’re seeing more and more people experiencing and coming out of isolation, crisis, depression, anxiety during COVID-19. But we’ve also seen a significant number of health care professionals leave, and they’re not being replaced,” she said.
The cost of mental health care has steadily increased over time as the demand for services increases while the supply of individuals providing them decreases, Stahlman said.
Get Help in Central Florida
Those without health insurance and seeking support can receive services through Orange County Services. primary care access networkor PCAN, of which Central Florida Mental Health Association is a member.
“We operate a completely free clinic in downtown Orlando. Our criteria is to have no health insurance and meet federal poverty guidelines (up to approximately $95,000 in gross income for a family of four). ),” Stahlman said.
He said the clinic will not be exclusive to county residents because access to treatment is not as robust in surrounding counties.
“Part of what we’re working on is expanding our reach and making sure that our boundaries here at the Mental Health Association aren’t just specific to Orange County residents. We meet anyone from anywhere in our state. I intend to,” she said. “And during COVID-19, when we were working virtually, we were sometimes meeting clients as far away as the UK.”
In addition to finding help through PCAN, you can also visit the uninsured. peer support space Daily meetings are held free of charge in Orlando.
“The reality is that many of us live paycheck to paycheck, so having to choose between basic needs and something so stigmatized like mental health is , it’s often something that we’re taught to put off. So if the price is also high, people are even less likely to reach out and connect.” peer support space.
While seeking care may be daunting for some people, Stahlman said, “The negative consequences of not seeking care are two to three times greater mentally, physically, and financially.” Ta.
pile up
Stahlman said patients pay for treatment in Florida on par with other parts of the country.
but, mental health america Report Florida’s ranking 40 out of 51 Regarding access to care, he said:
“We are in the bottom 5 percent of other states in terms of per capita allocation,” Stahlman said.
But there is hope, she said, because the Florida Chamber of Commerce has made mental health a top priority for workplace well-being.
“And how do we embrace the fact that if Florida wants to continue to be a leader in corporate recruiting and a positive business climate, we must also create a culture of wellness within our business communities and workplaces? It’s reassuring to know that the same is being done, but it’s still far behind,” she said.
Copyright 2025 Central Florida Public Media
