SANFORD, Fla. — Conversations around mental health have been in the spotlight following the death of a therapist last week in Winter Park. Rebecca White was stabbed to death by a former client, and another man was injured in the attack at her office, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
What You Need To Know
On Wednesday, a new clinic opened to offer free mental health services in Seminole County
One of the women who made the new clinic possible used to share an office with Rebecca White, who was stabbed to death last week
Even while still grieving, the therapist community wants to continue to move the mission forward to bring awareness to mental health
The Outlook Clinic in Stanford is aimed to help people without insurance receive free mental health services
On Wednesday, a new clinic opened to offer free mental health services in Seminole County. One of the women who made it happen used to share an office with Rebecca White.
Cherlette McCullough is excited to show off the new rooms. She is a therapist and board member for the Mental Health Association of Central Florida.
“Today is one of the days I am so proud of,” McCullough said.
It’s a day two years in the making, but also on her mind isher former office mate.
“It has been just over a week, and it is still hard, it is still there,” McCullough said.
Instead of in the therapist’s chair she’s spent some time on the couch in a trauma processing group.
“Healing happens in community and being able to sit with other therapists who have the same fears, that validates you and it feels calming in the moment,” McCullough said.
It’s been tough, but her passion outweighs her pain.
“Offering these services, these are the things that really motivate me to get up every day and to go back into the office or to get on the screen to do telehealth,” McCullough said.
Safety and security are top of mind. At her office, she plans to add a new silent alarm. The new Outlook Clinic inside the Neighborhood Co-Op in Sanford has passcode entry and additional security on site.
“This is for specifically individuals that are uninsured, all the services provided by the mental health association for children as young at 6 years old, are completely free,” said Marni Stahlman, the president and CEO of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida.
Counseling and psychiatric services for individuals, families and couples will take place in the new rooms.
“Mental health really is health, it is a part of our everyday,” Stahlman said.