Mental Health Resources, Research, and Statistics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Overview

Mental health remains a pressing issue in Fort Lauderdale, with 15% of adults in Broward County experiencing frequent mental distress and 4.9% of residents in the metro area reporting a major depressive episode in the past year. High school students are also impacted, with 17.9% reporting mental illness within their households, highlighting the widespread need for support.

Despite having one mental health provider per 410 residents in Broward County, access challenges persist. Nearly 24% of adults reported being unable to see a doctor due to cost, and 18% of those under 65 lack health insurance, further emphasizing the importance of affordable mental health resources.

Thriveworks is proud to serve Fort Lauderdale with accessible, personalized mental health care. Over the past year, most clients seeking our services were aged 26-34, though we support individuals across all age groups. As search trends for mental health topics reach record highs, Thriveworks is proud to be a trusted resource for the community.

Mental Health Resources in Fort Lauderdale

In addition to professional care, Fort Lauderdale offers a range of resources for those in need of mental health support. These include emergency services, local helplines, non-profit organizations, and support groups that provide assistance outside of traditional clinical settings. Whether you’re seeking immediate help or long-term support, the following resources can guide you to the care you seek in Fort Lauderdale.

• Emergency services 

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 711 and then press 9-8-8, or text 9-8-8
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741 (Available 24/7)
  • Veterans Crisis Line: Call 9-8-8 and press 1.

• Not-for-Profits

  • The JED Foundation
  • SAM Foundation
  • NAMI Broward County
  • Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County

• Local Clinics and Hotlines 

  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)
  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Text or call 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or text ” LOVEIS” to 22522
  • National Child Abuse Hotline: Text or call 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) or chat here

• Support Groups  

  • NAMI support groups
  • Project TOTTS (Together Our Tots Thrive & Survive)
  • Deliver the Dream
  • CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers
  • No More Tears Inc

Other Mental Health Statistics in Fort Lauderdale

Mental health is a significant concern in Fort Lauderdale, with many residents affected by various mental health conditions. While services are available, gaps in access to care remain. Below, we highlight key statistics that illustrate the mental health landscape in Fort Lauderdale, including prevalence rates, common issues, and local service usage. These data offer valuable insight into the city’s mental health needs and the ongoing efforts to address them.

• In the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach area, 4.9% of locals aged 18 or higher (200,000 adults) reported having experienced a major depressive episode in the past year¹
• In Broward County, 15% of the population (291,000 adults) reported having frequent mental distress²
• 13.0% of locals reported having poor mental health on ≥14 of the past 30 days³
• 17.9% of high school students in Broward County reported having experienced mental illness in their household⁴
• Within Broward County, 18% of adults under age 65 and 7% of children under 19 do not have health insurance⁵
• There is one mental health provider per 410 people registered in Broward County, Florida⁵
• 23.8% of adults reported not being able to see a doctor at least once in the past year due to cost³
• According to Google, search trends around mental health issues in Fort Lauderdale are at an all-time high as of the last 2 months⁶
• Of all the people that booked an appointment with Thriveworks in Fort Lauderdale in the last year, 59% were male-identifying, 33% were female-identifying, and 8% were unknown or non-binary⁷
• Age breakdown of those who sought mental health care with Thriveworks over the last year in Fort Lauderdale⁷
  • Ages 18-25: 24%
  • Ages 26-34: 28%
  • Ages 35-44: 19%
  • Ages 45-64: 22%