Polk County’s New Website Makes It Easier Than Ever to Find Behavioral Health Providers and Services
by REBEKAH PIERCE
What if, with just one click, you could be connected with a mental health provider in your area?
No more browsing health insurance catalogues. No more calling offices only to find out a provider is no longer practicing. Just convenience and care, right at your fingertips.
With Polk County’s new website for behavioral health resources, you can do just that.
Vital Connections
Meant to provide connections to mental health services rather than diagnose or treat mental health conditions, the website serves as “a resource to get people started,” says Holly Vida, Behavioral Health Program Manager for Polk County Health and Human Services Division. “It’s specific to Polk County. If [residents] have a new diagnosis, or if they are looking for a different provider, it’s another way for them to access resources.”
Alice Nuttall, the Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at Lakeland Regional Health, explains, “This new website is a vital step forward in connecting local care to local needs. By bringing together trusted behavioral health resources in one easily accessible place, we’re empowering individuals and families to get the help they need—right here in our own community.”
Among the website’s top features (and there are many) is an interactive map that can be used to find provider resources closest to your actual location.
“People are able to click on the point of interest and then it takes them to a small popup that gives them information and they can connect by telephone or the website. It literally takes them right over to the provider’s website so they can continue to explore the services available,” Vida explains.
The website serves as “one local resource that people can connect with” before branching off into the choices they’re looking for.
“It’s also a place for information,” Vida says.
“This was an opportunity for people, Polk County specific, to connect to resources. We have a ‘by the numbers’ page on there, too, [which] shows you the overall wellness and mental health in Polk County.”
The point of including these statistics, Vida explains, is so residents and stakeholders would be able to see whether the county is moving the needle on behavioral health conditions and to provide a general barometer for overall progress.
IDENTIFYING A NEED
A massive undertaking, the website was first conceptualized in 2021 after a behavioral health gap analysis study found a need for education surrounding behavioral health resources in Polk County. The goal was to “collect everything in one place, so that it could have kind of a ‘no wrong door’ kind of atmosphere,” Vida says.
The county took advantage of recent congressional appropriation funding to develop the website, contracting out the web development to an organization specializing in these services.
“We received feedback from the behavioral health team on what was needed [and] what they thought would be beneficial,” Vida adds.
An ever-evolving website, Vida says her team’s goal with the new initiative is to maintain interest relative to mental and behavioral wellness issues in Polk County.
“We have a wonderful link to multiple providers in the county who are providing content for our blog,” she continues.
“We have providers blogging for us and posting for us, giving credit to their practices and making them more visible within the community. It will continue to address mental wellness issues for Polk County on a continued basis, as well as provide additional links to helpful resources.” The website even features a pathway to connect visitors with Polk HealthCare Plan.
SEEKING TO FOLLOW UP
In the future, Vida would love to see the website progress to have the ability to follow up with visitors. While Polk County residents already have the ability to click a provider’s name and be redirected to that provider’s website, there’s no way to monitor how many people are accessing these resources.
Once a visitor leaves the page, the information is lost.
“We would also like to increase the number of providers that have visibility within our community,” Vida adds, mentioning that there are already 86 locations listed for their providers.
To be added to the page, a provider must submit a request and have their credentials verified (both in terms of licensing as well as ensuring they have a physical location in Polk County).
Vida emphasizes that the website is not meant for self-diagnosis or treatment. Instead, it’s meant for connection and partnership.
Peace River Center CEO Larry G. Williams Jr. says the website is already doing that quite well.
“We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners through the Community Health Care Resources. Their support plays a vital role in helping us provide critical mental health services to those who need them most. The Polk County Behavioral Health website is not only information regarding behavioral health topics and crisis but also provides necessary information on available resources to individuals.”
“Together,” he adds, “we’re working to build a healthier, more compassionate community.”
Visit the website at polkcountybehavioralhealthresources.org/