A message from The Florida Behavioral Health Association.
On September 10, World Su***de Prevention Day, we pause to recognize that behind every statistic is a family, a friend, and a community forever changed, and to reaffirm our commitment to prevention and hope.
“Tragically, 3,558 Floridians lost their lives to death by su***de in 2023,” said Melanie Brown Woofter, President and CEO of the Florida Behavioral Health Association.
“This heartbreaking number indicates that our friends could be silently suffering, and that we must continue our efforts to inform and educate so that all of us recognize when someone needs help, learn ways to have a safe conversation with them, and know how to get them help to prevent su***de. It is OK to not be OK, but it is not OK to not ask for help.”
An important resource for anyone struggling and looking for immediate assistance is Florida’s su***de prevention line, 988.
Talkable Communities provides free, evidence-based mental health training. Learn more at www.talkablecommunities.org.
We are excited to welcome Vincent Johnson to our Board of Directors. He brings extensive experience, a fresh perspective, and a strong commitment to our mission.
Vincent's background in leadership and operations will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve. His insights and guidance will strengthen our board and help shape the future of EPIC. We look forward to embarking on this new chapter with him and are eager to see the contributions he will make.
Vincent L. Johnson is a strategic and operational leader in healthcare and academic health systems, with experience in senior leadership roles at top-ranked institutions. He spent nine years in the University of California Health System, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at UCSF Health.
In 2023, Vincent retired from his position as Chief Operating Officer at UF Health St. Johns. In his retirement and consultancy work, Vincent has enjoyed serving on community boards, supporting the arts and sciences, and spending time in leisure activities.
09/11/2025
Flags are flown at half-mast today for civilians, heroes, and all who serve. 🇺🇸
We take this moment to honor the firefighters, police officers, and service members who have protected our communities, both in the past and present.
Their bravery is forever etched in history. As we honor the memory of September 11th, let us take time to reflect. Remember those who stood strong in the face of adversity.
09/10/2025
Recovery Month 2025 and World Su***de Prevention Day share the same truth: connections save lives.
If you think someone might be considering su***de, be the one to help them by taking these 5 steps: Ask. Be There. Help Keep Them Safe. Help Them Connect. Follow Up.
If you're in crisis, call or text the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Talkable Communities provides free, evidence-based mental health training. Learn more at www.talkablecommunities.org.
At EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, we provide resources and information, encouraging people to discuss mental health and seek services. Our program serves adults, adolescents, and children ages four and older. Call us today at (904) 829-2273.
09/09/2025
September 8th to the 14th is National Su***de Prevention Week, an annual campaign to educate the general public about su***de prevention and the warning signs of su***de.
If you think someone might be considering su***de, be the one to help them by taking these 5 steps: Ask. Be There. Help Keep Them Safe. Help Them Connect. Follow Up.
If you're in crisis, call or text the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Talkable Communities provides free, evidence-based mental health training. Learn more at www.talkablecommunities.org.
At EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, we provide resources and information, encouraging people to discuss mental health and seek services. Our program serves adults, adolescents, and children ages four and older. Call us today at (904) 829-2273.
09/08/2025
This September 8th, we’re recognizing 988 Day: A powerful reminder that support is always within reach.
Compassionate help. Anytime. Anywhere.
Whether someone is feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to ask for help, the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7, judgment-free support by phone or text.
At EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, we provide resources and information, encouraging people to discuss mental health and seek services. Our program serves adults, adolescents, and children ages four and older. Call us today at (904) 829-2273.
09/06/2025
Raffle winner! We will contact you to pick your prizes!
09/06/2025
09/06/2025
Join us at the Recovery Fair! Today till 2 pm! St Augustine Classic Car museum!
09/06/2025
We are excited to welcome Tara Wildes to our Board of Directors. She brings extensive experience, a fresh perspective, and a strong commitment to our mission.
Tara's background in mental health advocacy and administration will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve. Her insights and guidance will strengthen our board and help shape the future of EPIC. We look forward to embarking on this new chapter and are eager to see the contributions she will make.
Tara Wildes currently serves as the Director of the General Services Division of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, having joined the agency as Director of Corrections in 2019.
Previously, she held the position of Director of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Department of Corrections, where she managed three correctional facilities with an operating budget exceeding $90 million.
Tara is dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system, particularly through a focus on mental health and diversion from incarceration. She has received numerous awards for her work as a mental health advocate and serves on several boards that represent the incarcerated population.
09/05/2025
Free Youth Su***de Prevention Training!
September is Su***de Prevention Month. It’s Time to Talk about it! (ITTAI) is designed to teach family members, caregivers, and other invested community members who interact with young people how to recognize the warning signs and risk factors of su***de so that they are able to identify these signs in youth whom they may encounter in everyday activities and have conversations about su***de that help youth create a safety net.
If you are an adult who works or interacts with youth, this training is for you. Upon completion, participants earn a personalized certificate.
In-person or virtual private training can be scheduled for groups at no cost. Please contact Teresa Andrews at tandrews@epicbh.org or (904) 829-3295 for more information.
Talkable Communities provides free community training in collaboration with five nonprofit organizations: Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare, EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, Gateway - Steps to Recovery, Clay Behavioral Health Center, and Child Guidance Center.
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Our mission is to strengthen our community by providing person-centered care to individuals and families impacted by substance use and mental health disorders, and other behaviors through a comprehensive system of Education, Prevention, Intervention, and Counseling.
Our vision is to be the primary leader of quality, comprehensive behavioral healthcare in our community.
EPIC Behavioral Healthcare (EPIC) believes that recovery from addiction, substance use disorders and mental health disorders is real. People can, and do, overcome the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles that confront them. EPIC agrees that addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. EPIC also recognizes that many individuals served by our agency are challenged by a mental health disorder. While treatable, EPIC believes that substance use and mental health disorders impact all areas of an individual’s life, including all of their relationships, vocational/education goals and skills, emotional well-being and their physical health. For both substance use and mental disorders, our commitment is to provide effective, affordable, evidence-based, culturally-sensitive and comprehensive care to impacted individuals and families.
EPIC has historically incorporated the idea of, “wellness,” into our programs. This allows EPIC to have the best outcomes for our clients. EPIC focuses on formalizing its commitment to overall wellness for our clients using SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) 8 Dimensions of Wellness as a guideline.
EPIC pledges to provide quality services and care to our community’s most vulnerable citizens. We will work to improve understanding in our community about mental and substance use disorders. We will promote emotional health and the prevention of addiction/substance use and mental disorders and will increase access to effective treatment and wellness programs while supporting recovery.
EPIC promises that children, adolescents, families, adults and seniors will find the support and help needed through our continuum of care to improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential while on the path to recovery from addiction/substance use disorders and mental health disorders.
Our philosophy is person-centered which means we put you at the center of your treatment and respect your freedom to make your own choices and choose your own direction.
Free accommodations are available for persons who are disabled or deaf/hearing-impaired. For assistance, call 904-829-2273 ext. 8016.
Insurances we accept are Aetna, AvMed, Cenpatico / Sunshine Health, Cigna, Florida Blue, Florida Healthcare Plans, Humana, Magellan, Medicaid, Molina, Ped-i-care, Tricare, United Healthcare and Wellcare / Staywell.
