A Tampa couple is using their story of loss to encourage others to take mental health concerns more seriously.
“Basically, what we are trying to do is eliminate the stigma of mental illness,” said Lisa Acierno, founder of Hailey’s Voice of Hope, a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness for mental health.
Hailey’s Voice of Hope hosts an annual fundraiser in the fall. The event includes a golf tournament, dinner ceremony and a silent auction. The proceeds from the event go toward their foundation. It hopes to use that money to develop educational programs that raise awareness and acceptance of mental illness.
Lisa and her husband, Chris Acierno, lost their daughter, Hailey, at the age of 17. Hailey was battling mental illness and her parents want to prevent that from happening to another family. Months after their daughter’s passing, they created their organization and set off on their mission.
“We are trying to teach children what resources are available for them,” said Lisa.
Mental illness has become a larger issue with the pandemic and the effects it has on people financially. During late June, 40 percent of adults have reported that they were struggling with mental health and or substance use. Experts worry that this will only add to the number of people already struggling with their mental health
Pandemic leads to people seeking record levels of online counseling
Virtual therapy sessions are becoming an increasingly popular alternative for people seeking time with their psychologist during the pandemic.
Those who benefitted from regularly going to therapy had to adapt to an unknown dynamic as things moved online to adhere to social distancing measures. Mental health professionals had on-going processes with clients, as well as new people reaching out, so they had to pivot too. But having sessions in a virtual space has worked better than expected.
“There’s actually psychological benefits sometimes called the online disinhibition effect,” said Dr. Nick Joyce, Ph.D., psychologist and online services coordinator at the University of South Florida’s counseling center. “What that means is: when I am not face to face with someone in the room, I feel more comfortable. It’s easier for me to open up.”
Joyce, who did his dissertation on online therapy in 2010, said this modality is also attractive because of its convenience, especially relating to distance. Whether it is a person who does not have time to commute or someone who lives across the state, online alternatives have made therapy more accessible.
“Everybody back then told me this will never be a thing,” he said. “They told me ‘It’s cold via screen. Therapy is done warmly face-to-face with someone.’”
According to the American Psychological Association, of professionals interviewed between April and March, three-quarters (76%) were offering only remote services.
“Online has more of an advantage right now for me. I’m not risking me or my therapist’s health in the face of COVID,” said Hayden Korr, a 20-year-old English education student at the University of South Florida. “Most times I would say that I actually do like it better, because I never really liked going in person. Driving there would always give me anxiety. I can do it from the comfort of my home.”
— Maria Carillo Gonzalez
Tampa offers pandemic alternative to trick-or-treating
With the pandemic still affecting the nation, those looking to celebrate Halloween this year have other ways to enjoy the holiday.
There are COVID-safe events that are taking place this week in Tampa. One of them is the Riverwalk Halloween Hunt. The virtual scavenger hunt takes place along the Tampa Riverwalk and creates a safe environment for the family.
All someone has to do to play is download the Mobile Adventures app for Android or iPhone and scan Q-R code posters around the Tampa Riverwalk. Points are accumulated for every poster scanned.
“We have prizes for the highest scorers,” said MaryBeth Williams, executive director at Friends of the Riverwalk. “They’re gonna be doing some socially distant games and handing out prizes to those who are playing down there.”
If you can’t make this event, there will be another event this Saturday at Curtis Hixon Park.
Credits
Anchors: Ta’Bria Snowden, Payton Kirol
Reporters: Cheyenne Pagan, Dylan Zuccarello, Maria Carillo Gonzalez
Producer: Caylee Cottrell
Writers: Bryony Deighton
Graphics editors:Zachary Brown
Associate Producer: Gabriel Castro
Video Editors: Bryony Deighton
Show Editors: David Jones
Web Editor/Social Media Producer: Austin Federau
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Adviser: Jeanette Abrahamsen, Wayne Garcia
