Each year in the month of May, we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month.
Did you know that Florida played a key role in how we serve people who need mental assistance?
We’ve come a long way with treatments, and just as importantly, how we perceive people with mental illness. Here’s three ways that Florida has contributed to mental health, and how we approach it today.
The Baker Act of 1972
The Baker Act, sponsored by State Representative Maxine Baker of Miami was groundbreaking, and revered nationally as one of the most important pieces of mental health legislation written at the time.
Authored in 1971, the Baker act became law on July 1st, 1972.
“The Baker Act was considered by many persons around the country as landmark legislation at the time of its enactment. The movement to deinstitutionalize persons from large mental hospitals back to their home communities became prominent since the 1970’s and many newer psychiatric medications have made it possible for persons to avoid or reduce the need for long-term hospitalization. Since the passage of the Act, the rights of individuals to live freely and without the same degree of deprivation of liberty has been more accepted by the public. The Baker Act has been continuously revised to recognize these trends and to protect the rights of persons with mental illnesses.” (source)
This legislation continues to evolve, with additional statutes added in 2021 further protecting the rights and services available to those that need assistance.
Florida’s First Psychology Lab
While Johns Hopkins University is credited with opening the first American psychology lab in 1893, Florida State University created there less than 20 years later:
“1902 - The First Psychology Lab in Florida
This lab was very well equipped for an institution of this size, and it joined the other laboratories located on the second floor of the College Hall building. The 1902 Catalogue asserts that the lab established here by H. Elmer Bierly was also the first psychological laboratory established in the State of Florida.” (source)
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Developed by Florida Student
The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assesses the level to which a patient is experiencing anxiety. It was devised by Charles Spielberger, PhD, who did some of his academic work at both Florida State, and the University of South Florida.
“..its most popular version has 20 items for assessing trait anxiety and 20 for state anxiety. State anxiety items include: “I am tense; I am worried” and “I feel calm; I feel secure.”
Trait anxiety items include: “I worry too much over something that really doesn’t matter” and “I am content; I am a steady person.” All items are rated on a 4-point scale (e.g., from “Almost Never” to “Almost Always”).
Higher scores indicate greater anxiety. The STAI is appropriate for those who have at least a sixth-grade reading level.” (source)
Evidence-Based Psychology in South Florida
Since our offices are located in Weston, Florida, we thought it would be interesting to look at how our state has contributed to our understanding of mental health.
We’re always here to help with OCD, anxiety, depression, couples counseling, and a host of neuro-educational related concerns. You can reach us at (954) 384-1117, or through a simple web form here.