The Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW) recently partnered with Keiser University to host a pair of roundtable discussions on women’s mental health and healthcare.
The event drew about 80 members of the Central Florida community including elected officials, administrators from three major hospital systems, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Orange County Public Schools, and the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
Roundtable Discussion Event
The roundtable, which took place on June 28 at Keiser University’s Orlando Campus, was the first in a series of discussions being hosted statewide by the FCSW to provide Florida women and communities the opportunity to engage with the Commission and discuss important issues to Florida women. In March 2023, the FCSW announced the roundtable series as an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to them most and share information from their 2022 Voices of Women survey.
The 2022 Voices of Women survey identified key issues and the critical needs women and families perceive as important in their communities and highlights the viewpoints of all segments of the population from across the state. The survey gathered responses from women of all ages in Florida and found many areas that Florida women believe are important. Results from the survey show the topics women consider critical such as healthcare, economic security, political and public policies affecting women, caregiving, and security and safety. The full survey results are available here.
According to the survey data, both healthcare and mental health were identified as two of the most impactful challenges facing women in Florida. To address these issues, panelists and the audience engaged in 90 minutes of discussion to share both insights and resources available to Central Florida women.
- The mental health roundtable was led by FCSW Commissioner Belinda Keiser and Florida Senator Jason Brodeur, and included Judge Alicia Latimore from Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, Marni Stahlman, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Joanne Rice, Director of Florida’s Division Fire Marshall, and representatives from Paving the Way, Nacion de Fe Associate, HCA Healthcare, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange County Public Schools.
- The healthcare roundtable was led by Mary Mayhew, President of the Florida Hospital Association, and included Dominic Calabro of Florida TaxWatch, Shannon Gravitte, Vice President at Advent Health, and Sophia Eccelston, Chair of the FCSW, along with representatives from Keiser University, Nemours Children’s Hospital, HCA Healthcare, and Collective Medical.
How Orlando Mom is Helping
Women’s healthcare and mental health are topics that are very important to the team at Orlando Mom. That is why we started our Women’s Wellness Event in 2022. Discussion around prioritizing our health is so imperative in the world we are living in. Our Women’s Wellness provides women at the event healthcare resources, speakers on diverse topics, tips and tools to navigate health and swag bags filled with items that they can take home and enjoy while on their health journey.
Security and safety are two other issues that plague women. That is why Orlando Mom has partnered with Krav Maga O-Town for women and children self-defense classes. Empowering women in life and business is part of the OMC mission and through this partnership, we can all walk in confidence.
Future Impact
The FCSW intends to host additional discussions in six Florida cities over the next two years. Topic discussions will include economic security, public policies that affect women, violence against women, and other important issues. Through the Commission’s work on behalf of Florida’s women, the Commissioners believe the roundtables will help further drive engagement among Floridians. The collaboration is part of a continued effort by the FCSW to connect with women, listen to concerns, disseminate information, and provide expert guidance.
We at Orlando Mom encourage you to seek out ways to make your healthcare, mental health, security and safety priorities. We value and appreciate the work that Keiser University and The Florida Commission on the Status of Women are doing in our community!
We’d love to hear your feedback! Tell us in the comments what you think the most impactful challenges facing women in Florida are.
FCSW History
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women was created more than three decades ago by the Florida Legislature with the mission of raising awareness and celebrating the contributions and successes of women. The Commission has strengthened into a diverse group of leaders working together for the betterment of women and girls in Florida. The Commission’s 2021-23 strategic mission is to collaborate, educate, and celebrate girls and women in Florida.
