The Miami-Dade County Behavioral Health Advisory Board convened on July 29, 2025, to discuss critical data regarding crisis services and potential outreach initiatives aimed at improving community mental health support. The meeting began with a presentation by Amanda, who provided a detailed analysis of crisis service demographics, responding to a request from Senator Garcia made during the previous meeting.

The data revealed a significant gender disparity in crisis services, with 1,374 males compared to 770 females utilizing these services. The age distribution indicated that the majority of individuals seeking help were adults, particularly those aged 25 to 44, followed by those aged 45 to 64. The focus of the discussion was on crisis stabilization services, specifically inpatient care related to Baker Acts, which are involuntary commitments for mental health treatment.

A key point raised was the demographic of the safety net population, primarily consisting of uninsured and underinsured individuals. The most affected ZIP codes were identified as 33134, covering Coral Gables, and 33055, which includes Miami Gardens. The board noted that the locations of the four Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) in Miami-Dade County likely correlate with these ZIP codes.

The meeting also addressed the types of services provided, with the most common billing procedure being psychiatric mental health per diem. The primary diagnosis recorded was a general mental health disorder, reflecting the complexities of diagnosing individuals in crisis situations. The average length of stay in CSUs was reported at six days, with a 12% readmission rate within 30 days, which is considered favorable compared to the average of 22% in similar facilities.

Discussion turned to the limitations of the data, particularly regarding tracking patients who transition to non-CSU facilities after discharge. Vicki Silverwell from the Public Health Trust raised concerns about the lack of comprehensive tracking for individuals who seek care outside the Thriving Mind funding system. Lourdes Terrazzo from the Department of Children and Families noted that while tracking is currently limited, legislative efforts, such as House Bill 633, aim to improve data collection and integration across various care providers.

The board also discussed the need for enhanced outreach initiatives to better serve the community. Suggestions included leveraging social media to raise awareness about available mental health services. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue gathering data and exploring solutions to address the mental health needs of the community effectively. The board plans to reconvene to further discuss outreach strategies and the implementation of new initiatives.