TAMPA, Fla. — Several Tampa Bay hospitals and community groups have a new joint plan to help address mental health.

The local mental health advocacy nonprofit, Tampa Bay Thrives, just announced a new phone service called “Let’s Talk.”

The phone number is: 844-YOU-OKAY.

It’s free, 24/7 confidential support for mental health.

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa Bay Thrives is a local mental health nonprofit

  • They’ve launched Let’s Talk, which is a free, 24/7 confidential support phone line for mental health

  • The phone number is: 844-YOU-OKAY

One of the goals of the phone line is to help people get started with any help they might need.

“The process of finding help and waiting for your first appointment can be an overwhelming process,” said Tampa Bay Thrives CEO Carrie Zeisse in a news release. “We are grateful for the vision and commitment of our community leaders who have come together to add additional access points for mental health support.”

According to Mental Health America, which Tampa Bay Thrives is an affiliate of, there is a growing need for help in Florida. They say Florida ranks 49th in the country in terms of access to mental health services. In addition, they say 64% of Florida adults with mental illness are going untreated.

For more information, visit the Tampa Bay Thrives website here.