Opening in late 2021, Here Tomorrow’s mission is to transform lives by building communities where mental health care is accepted and accessible. In other words, stigma has been eradicated from their programs.
In Florida, the number of deaths from suicide has nearly doubled in the last 20 years. Additionally, Duval and St. John’s counties have higher percentages than the national average.
It defies logic that people with medical conditions can be hospitalized for as long as they need, while people with mental disorders are limited to 72 hours. Firsthand experience tells us that there is simply not enough time and timely follow-up care is not available.
Barriers to mental health care include waiting lists, insurance issues, and a nationwide shortage of mental health professionals. Here Tomorrow representatives can provide same-day support. Response time can make the difference between success or failure. Moreover, many services are free.
But the key to this organization’s success is its staff.
Services are delivered by highly trained and certified peer support specialists. Many of them are people with “live experience” who understand what others in crisis are going through.
The average cost to service one “friend” for one year is $1,695.44, with an average of over 400 calls per week. Local hospitals estimate the cost of a three-day hospital stay at about $6,000.
Here Tomorrow has received supportive grants from several organizations, including a three-year challenge from J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver to match all gifts donated by 2024 (up to $2 million). I have received
If you are an individual, have a family member in need of help, or have additional questions, please visit HereTomorrow.org or call or text (904) 372-9087. Walk-ins are also accepted at 910 Third Street in Neptune Beach.
Richard & Kathleen Marquis, St. Augustine
Beware of Manipulative Campaign Ads
The Jan. 7 letter commented on a Daniel Davis ad that didn’t even mention he was running for mayor. At a time when thinking was considered important in education, I was teaching an advertising unit to his gifted 5th graders. They learned that most ads show the power of manipulation through lack of content, lighting, color, music, and other technology.
Campaign advertising is just getting started here, but there are already extremes. At one end of the spectrum are loving family men with beautiful wives and children. Such ads are always bright and radiant with upbeat music. Unfortunately, they are often underqualified, but their focus is on making you feel good about the candidate.
At the other end of the spectrum were ads aimed at making opponents dislike, often used against Lakesha Burton and now LeAnna Cumber. With ominous music and dark imagery, it evokes serial killer movie trailers. There’s usually an intense red somewhere to provide some color contrast, but it also hints at the scary scenarios that could happen if this candidate were elected. are often omitted or twisted to make it appear that the candidate is not who he or she really is.
Cumber’s ad also makes her look like a Democrat, but she’s a Republican.
So far, these extremes seem to come from one particular mayoral candidate. My letter does not endorse any single candidate, but is meant to remind us all to appreciate the myriad of advertisements we will see on television, in mailboxes, etc. in the coming months. As the election draws nearer, hopefully we’ll see ads that focus more on entitlement than manipulation.
Rhoda T. London, Jacksonville
New rules for mail-in ballots
All Duval County voters must reapply to receive their vote-by-mail ballots. Even if you have been receiving mail-in ballots for the last 10 years or more, you must comply with the Florida Legislature’s decision to force you to reapply after each general election. If you do this now, you will receive ballots for two years.
You can easily apply online:
- Visit the Elections Administrator’s website, DuvalElections.com.
- is the third blue box from the left on the top row[郵送による投票]Choose.
- When that screen opens, select the second item, “Vote by Mail (Electronic Ballot)”.
- This will bring up a screen where you can enter your identification information. Note that even if it says driver’s license number or his last four numbers on social, you’ll need both.
- Be sure to select “All Elections” so you can receive a ballot for each election through November 2024.
You can also go to an elections official’s office and apply in person, but make sure you have your driver’s license, Florida ID, and social security number with you. You can also call the Office of Elections at (904) 255-8684 (255-VOTE) to apply. We also encourage you to check your current voter registration status.
Remember, your vote is your voice and a valuable asset. Use it in all elections.
Pat Wojciewski, Jacksonville
crime going bad
I rarely follow the news because it usually just makes me feel sick, sad and annoyed, but I saw something in the January 8th newspaper and had to comment. Sadly, Jacksonville is notoriously notorious for having a “death grip” (pun intended) in the title of “Florida’s Official Murder Capital”, and its citizens are proud of it. There seems to be
The article reports that Jacksonville had 163 homicides in 2022, according to unofficial data from the Times Union. The year before saw 129 homicides, down nearly 27%, following 2020’s horrifying 177.
Doesn’t that just make you choke on pride?
According to Sheriff TK Waters, “You may not think so, but we are on the right track.”
Why would you say a 26% increase is “going in the right direction”? Unless you’re talking about retaining the “Murder Capital” championship title, they’re not good numbers.
Dale Vickery, Orange Park
