Formation of 5000 Friends of Florida Families Announced

Posted by Admin on 03/09 at 09:32 PM

Today, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health (FCCMH) and the Florida Alcohol Drug and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA) announces the formation of 5000 Friends of Florida Families, a grassroots coalition of people who support mental health and substance abuse services. Built on the idea that every Florida family deserves a place to turn when in a mental health or addiction crisis, 5000 Friends supports affordable mental health and addictions treatment.

Mental illnesses and substance abuse are major causes of homelessness, child abuse and neglect, crime, unemployment, poverty and poor educational attainment. “The 5000 Friends of Florida Families believe that the State of Florida has a responsibility to ensure every family has a place to turn in a mental health or addictions crisis. Families in a crisis deserve affordable care, particularly families with children, the elderly and the working poor,” states Bob Sharpe, President and CEO of FCCMH.

Concerned Floridians who want to join 5000 Friends of Florida Families are asked to sign a simple pledge of support. It reads:

I believe every Florida family deserves a place to turn in a crisis. I recognize mental illnesses and addictions contribute to job loss, failure in school, divorce, abuse and trouble with the law.

I pledge to support high quality and affordable mental health and addiction services for all Florida families.

A copy of the pledge and a sign-up form to become a member of 5000 Friends of Florida Families can be found at the organization’s website: http://www.5000Friends.org.

Each person who signs up will receive a 5000 Friends lapel pin to wear as a symbol of support. “When members of 5000 Friends wear their pins to public events and meetings, we hope it will trigger conversations about Florida’s need to make mental health and addiction treatment more accessible and affordable to families in a crisis,” said John Daigle, Executive Director of FADAA.