FISH of Sanibel-Captiva is joining the global observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, a time to recognize that health includes mental well-being. This year’s theme, Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies, reflects the very challenges the islands have faced after hurricanes and other crises. For FISH, the day emphasizes the importance of its mental health counseling program—launched in 2023 and now a vital service for residents of all ages, especially seniors.
FISH began offering mental health counseling in 2023, just months after Hurricane Ian. The storm brought widespread loss and disruption, highlighting the need for services close to home. Since then, the program has become a well-used resource as neighbors of all ages seek support for stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Seniors make up a large portion of those reaching out. Many older adults on the islands live alone or have limited support systems. For them, access to counseling and regular check-ins provides comfort, coping strategies, and the reassurance that they are not facing life’s challenges alone. Younger families also rely on the service, often sharing that counseling has helped them process the financial and emotional strain of disaster recovery while continuing to care for their children and maintain work.
One client, a widowed senior, described the service as a lifeline after her home flooded during Hurricane Milton. “I was overwhelmed, not just with the repairs and expenses, but with the loneliness. Talking with someone who understood helped me breathe again. I could see a way forward,” she shared.
“Emotional health matters as much as physical health, especially after what our community has been through,” says Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH. “We see every day how counseling and support help people feel stronger, less isolated, and more connected.”
The message of this year’s World Mental Health Day is clear: when disaster strikes, the need for mental health support rises sharply. According to World Health Organization (WHO) one in five people in a humanitarian emergency experience a mental health condition, and for many, community-based interventions make the difference between coping and falling further into crisis.
At FISH, the commitment is to continue access to care—whether for a child struggling after a move, a parent managing stress from lost work, or a senior navigating isolation. By keeping mental health services available, FISH helps neighbors rebuild not only their homes but their sense of stability and hope.
On World Mental Health Day, FISH invites the community to come together in recognizing that there is no health without mental health. By joining forces, we can ensure counseling and support remain available to all islanders—right here in their own backyard—so that everyone has the chance to recover, heal, and thrive, even through hardship and recovery
To request help for yourself or a loved one, contact FISH at 239-472-4775.
