Tampa General chosen as one of Florida’s first behavioral health teaching hospitals
Tampa General Hospital has been chosen to house one of four new state-funded behavioral health teaching programs as Florida tries to address a shortfall of mental health professionals.
The TGH Behavioral Health Hospital, currently under construction on Kennedy Boulevard, was named in a new state law that establishes a behavioral health teaching program within the Agency for Health Care Administration. Lawmakers have set aside $300 million over a three-year period to pay for psychiatric residencies and workforce development programs at four hospitals across the state.
Tampa General’s program will be in partnership with the University of South Florida. The school was also chosen by lawmakers as the site for the newly established Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce.
The center, which will be located within the Louis de la Parte Florida Institute for Mental Health, will have a budget of $5 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year. It is tasked with monitoring recruitment and retention trends and to highlight where behavioral health professionals are most needed across the state.
The investment reflects a growing awareness of mental health concerns that were exacerbated by the pandemic. Florida was ranked 49th in the country for access to mental health care, according to the 2022 State of Mental Health in America report.
One-third of Florida adults self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in February 2023, according to a bill analysis. But more than 10 million Floridians live in communities where there are not enough psychiatrists, the analysis reported.
Florida needs 587 more psychiatrists to fill that shortfall, the analysis states. That number does not include the need for more clinical psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists and marriage and family therapists.
“Across the nation, there is limited access to behavioral health services and a workforce shortage unable to support the growing need,” Tampa General president and CEO John Couris said at an event Monday. “Patients needing behavioral health services will have access to academic-based, world-class care. Additionally, medical students and residents will benefit from critical learning alongside Tampa General’s best-in-class providers, extending the reach of our care as they advance their careers in behavioral health.”
Tampa General’s new behavioral health hospital includes 96 in-patient beds. Construction began in 2022 and is scheduled to finish next year.
Couris played a role in the development of the legislation, which was sponsored by state Sens. Jim Boyd and Daryl Rouson and by Rep. Sam Garrison, who represents part of Clay County. The bill establishes Florida’s first behavioral health teaching designation.
The other three hospitals chosen to run behavioral health teaching programs are UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville and UF Health Jacksonville, both in partnership with the University of Florida, and Jackson Memorial Hospital in partnership with the University of Miami.
House Speaker Paul Renner, who attended the event, said the investment will help people with mental health and substance abuse issues.
“Floridians will benefit from the care, research and learning provided by our new behavioral health teaching hospitals, and I’m excited to see TGH lead on this innovative effort.”
