Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. - "Your doorway to Choice, Hope and Recovery"

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. Shares Community’s Shock And Grief

GAINESVILLE, FL, Oct 7, 2010, The events of this Monday are tragic and painful for everyone involved, whether directly touched or because of our shared sense of community. Meridian has been a part of the Gainesville community for almost 40 years. Many of our staff and those we care for have grown up and still live in the small area where the shootings took place. So, we, too share the community’s shock and grief.

Mental illnesses and substance use disorders affect roughly 1 in 5 citizens in our community. For the vast majority, the suffering caused by mental illness is quiet and goes unnoticed. Most individuals with mental illnesses live quietly in the community, hold down jobs, and raise families. Many of those, whose illness is serious and/or brings them into contact with the criminal justice system are safely and successfully transitioned to treatment and reintegrated into the community

Because of laws governing confidentiality, Meridian may not make public patient identities or any case information. In cases that involve the criminal justice system, disclosure is limited to what is available in Court records.

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare’s mission is to promote recovery by offering solutions to those facing mental illnesses, addictions and other social challenges. Meridian partners with law enforcement, schools, health clinics, county government and court services and serves over 20,000 individuals per year in 11 Counties in North Central Florida.